Play Ball! NWE Celebrates Opening Day (With Photo Gallery)
March 17, 2024
Saturday was Opening Day at Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Celebrate Weekend Sweep, Franchise Attendance Record
March 17, 2024
by Bill Vilona Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers broke from their traditional, center-ice, salute to fans for a victory lap around the ice after their grinding, 2-1 victory against the Huntsville Havoc on Saturday that swept the weekend pair of games from the Havoc at the Pensacola Bay Center.
For a photo gallery, click here.
It further elevated a festive setting on St. Patrick’s Celebration Night at the arena, which included a pregame party outside and the team wearing specialty green jerseys on the ice. What’s more, the Ice Flyers surpassed last year’s franchise record attendance with a crowd of 4,867 that pushed season attendance to 134,127 and three more home games left at the end of the month.
A year ago, the Ice Flyers drew 130,024 for 28 home games.
Against an opponent ahead them in the standings, the Ice Flyers responded from their three road losses last weekend to put themselves on the doorstep to clinching a playoff spot.
The win kept the Ice Flyers (23-23, 3 OT losses, 49 points) four points ahead of Evansville in seventh place, but most importantly, Pensacola is now 13 points ahead of ninth place Knoxville Ice Bears with each team having seven games left in the season.
So essentially, the Ice Flyers can seal a playoff spot with the next game, which will be against last place Macon next Friday in Macon, GA.
The Havoc (25-18, 7 OT losses, 57 points before Saturday) clinched a playoff spot weeks ago and are battling for a top tier finish. They ended Saturday’s game in fifth place, three points behind Fayetteville for fourth place.
The game recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The game began with one of the most contentious opening periods of the season. It also was a sign of how this game would evolve.
Less than four minutes into the period, Huntsville’s Eric Henderson delivered a hard check with an elbow along the boards that injured Troy Button. Teammate Sean Gulka immediately raced to the Havoc bench and was ready to drop gloves with any player. He slugged one player before a linesman grabbed him.
But after benches calmed, the Ice Flyers were on a power play. A minute later, they had the game’s first goal.
Garrett Milan made the perfect pass to Joseph Widmar, who buried a one-timer shot into the net for his 17th goal of the season.
With 8:15 left, the Havoc thought they had the tying goal, after a shot by Buster Larsson slipped through the pads of Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger. But the Ice Flyers’ Nick Leitner swept the puck out of the goal area as the puck straddled the goal line.
After stopping play, the officials reviewed the play for several minutes before signaling no goal. The Ice Flyers later exited into intermission with 1-0 lead.
SECOND PERIOD
The Havoc tied the game with 13:50 left when Cole Reginato flicked in a loose puck on a scramble in front of the net. With Mundinger on his back and players battling, Reginato got a blade on the puck and scored.
But Milan and the Ice Flyers quickly answered 70 seconds later and it changed the game.
Milan broke free on the wing, came across the ice near the net, and flicked in a backhand shot between goaltender Brian Wilson’s pads for the 2-1 lead.
With nine seconds left in the period, Reginato was given a five-minute major, then a match penalty after decking the Ice Flyers Malik Johnson with a sucker punch. The Ice Flyers’ Lucas Herrmann left the bench to handle Reginato and was tossed from the game.
But that sequence further reinforced the Ice Flyers ability to answer with their own fists when Huntsville triggered a fight.
THIRD PERIOD
No scoring, but there were three power play chances. The Ice Flyers got two opportunities, but couldn’t cash in. Huntsville had a chance midway through the period.
The Havoc pulled Wilson with 1:38 remaining, then called a timeout nine seconds later. They kept the puck in the Ice Flyers zone, but never had a chance to set up for a clear shot. In the final seconds, the Ice Flyers kept the puck and battles along the board to kill more seconds.
Mundinger was hugged as the horn sounded. It was his 13th win this season.
QUOTABLES:
Ice Flyers Coach Gary Graham: “Special teams was big tonight and that’s really what the game boiled down to. Dinger (Mundinger) made some big saves in the second period when we weren’t at our best. (Havoc) made a good push and they were clearly the better team in the second period and Dinger bailed us out several times.”
On Setting Attendance Record: “We’ve talked about it all year about how fans have embraced it and what we’re doing as an organization to put not only a fun produce on the ice, but the environment off the ice. I went out today and see the front parking lot (pre-game party) and it was unbelievable. Hearing Colm play in the stands and the bagpipes… they just really rolled out the red carpet for the fans in this event and I think that’s why the community is really rallying around the team and coming out to support even more because of what we are doing.”
On The Team Bouncing Back: “It was a grind last weekend. It was a coin-flip game last Friday against Peoria. We were not good on Saturday (vs. Peoria) and Evansville…we were the better team and lost with 16 seconds left, so it was disappointing to not get points. It was a long week. We dealt with a lot of adversity, roster changes and stuff, but I thought again this week… you are going to deal with that at the SPHL and ECHL level… you are going to have those weird weeks where it seems you can’t buy a break and we couldn’t last week. This week, we were able to reset, get some new guys in and they did a great job. We had a couple of good practices and got rewarded.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NEXT FACEOFF
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Macon Mayhem
WHEN: March 22-23
WHERE: Macon Centreplex, Macon, Georgia.
Tate Boys Tennis Defeats Washington
March 16, 2024
The Tate Aggies boys tennis team defeated Washington Friday at the Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola. The team improved to 7-1 overall with the win. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Beat Huntsville Havoc (With Gallery)
March 16, 2024
The Pensacola Ice Flyers overcame an early 2 goal deficit and came out on top with a 6-3 win over the Huntsville Havoc on Friday.
Returning to home ice after a three game losing streak on the road, the Ice Flyers played with a sense of urgency and battled through in a high scoring game that saw five different Ice Flyers find the back of the net.
For a photo gallery, click here.
FIRST PERIOD
The Havoc started off hot with Derek Perl (10:19) and Phil Elgstam (11:07) getting past goaltender Eric Dop.
Joseph Widmar battled his way in front of the net and started the scoring for the Ice Flyers with 6:57 left in the period.
Troy Button tied things up for the home team at the 16:47 mark after deflecting a shot by newcomer, Erik Urbank, scoring his first professional goal.
SECOND PERIOD
Captain Garrett Milan had the only goal of the 2nd period with a slapshot on a pass from Lucas Herrmann at 2:20, giving the Ice Flyers a 3-2 lead.
THIRD PERIOD
Lucas Herrmann further extended the lead at 5:52 after swooping in on a deflection off of the pads of Havoc goaltender, Mike Robinson.
The Havoc answered with a goal from Dylan Stewart with 9:39 left in the game.
Ivan Bondarenko put on the jets soon after and knocked in a goal, after a beautiful pass from Mitch Atkins, bringing the Ice Flyers back to a comfortable 2 goal lead with 9:10 left on the clock.
With :38 seconds left on the clock, Ivan Bondarenko got his 2nd goal of the game on an empty net.
QUOTABLES
Ice Flyers Coach Gary Graham:
“Every fan we appreciate. We had a hot start to the season on home ice and we kinda cooled off. You know, as a group, fans want to come see a winning product on the ice. It’s up to us to find that, so it’s good to get a win in front of the fans… We just got to make sure we stay hungry for tomorrow night.”
Ice Flyers Forward Ivan Bondarenko:
“Obviously, that was not the start we wanted, but I think the biggest thing with us was staying calm. We knew there was a lot of game left. We just had to outweigh that storm that came down on us in those couple minutes when they scored two goals… We went back to work right away. It was good to bounce back in the first period though, leading into the second or third.”
“On that first one (goal), I’ve got to give credit to my boy Mitch Atkins. What a pass! That sauce across the ice was unbelievable. All I had to do was just be there and bounce it in.”
“It’s not easy to play the same team back to back nights. Especially after a win, they’re going to come a little more angry. But we’ve been preparing for them all week, so we’re just going to stay with the structure that we have and keep doing what we’re doing.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NEXT FACEOFF
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Huntsville Havoc
THEME: St. Patrick’s Celebration
WHEN: March 16
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, FL
Northview Chiefs Defeat The Choctaw Indians 4-1
March 15, 2024
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Indian of Choctawhatchee 4-1 Thursday night.
Jamison Gilman led the Chiefs off in the circle, giving up one hit and no runs in two innings while striking out six and walking one. Mikayla McAnally went for three innings in relief, surrendering no hits and no runs whiles striking out five and walking none. Avery Stuckey pitched for two, giving up two hits, one run, striking out one and walking one.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Gilman, Chloe Ragsdale, and Makayla Golson each collected two hits for Northview Varsity Chiefs. Ragsdale, Makayla Golson, Kylee Langham, and Riley Brooks each drove in one run for the Lady Chiefs. Northview had five stolen bases for the night, including two from Golson.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to rival Jay on Friday. The varsity will play first at 4 p.m. immediately followed by the junior varsity, weather permitting. (The game times were reversed from the original schedule due to the threat of rain.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Flag Football Beats PHS, Falls To Pace
March 15, 2024
The Northview Chiefs flag football team defeated the Pensacola High Tigers and fell to Pace Thursday evening at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Northview beat PHS 36-20 before falling to Pace 68-0.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Northview flag football is at 2-2 on the season with wins over PHS and Escambia High School.
Up next, the Chiefs will be at PHS on Monday at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Tops Northview 7-2 (With Gallery)
March 15, 2024
Flomaton 7, Northviwe 2
The Flomaton Hurricane downed the Northview Chiefs 7-2 Thursday night in Bratt.
River Ramer went a complete seven innings for the Hurricanes, surrendering four hits and two runs, striking out seven and walking one.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Jase Portwood took the loss for the Chiefs, going fiving innings, giving up six runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking zero. Jack Bridges closed in relief, going two innings, giving up one hit and one run while striking out two and walking one.
Jackson Newton and Ramer both had two hits for Flomaton. Ross Bell, Braden Nall, JR Alaniz, Dexter Smoker, Ramer, and Gavyn Tieppo each drove in one run for the Canes.
David King ws 1-3 with an RBI for Northview. Wyatt Scruggs went 2-2 at bat, and Colby Pugh was 1-3.
The Chiefs will host W.S. Neal on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Flomaton will be at Excel Friday at 6 p.m.
Northview 3, Flomaton 1 (JV)
Tate Baseball Beats Gulf Breeze; Tate Softball Falls To Niceville
March 15, 2024
BASEBALL
Tate 4, Gulf Breeze 2
The Tate Aggies beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 4-2 Thursday night in Gulf Breeze.
Zane Warrington earned the win for the Aggies, giving up three hits and two runs in seven innings, striking out nine and walking none.
Kaleb Posta recorded two RBIs for Tate, going 1-3 for the night. Madox Land went 2-4 for the Aggies. Posta, Trey Rebber, Ketch King, Conner Hasell and Clif Quinggins each had a hit.
Up next for Tate is the Aggie Classic.
SOFTBALL
Niceville 2, Tate 1
Niceville topped the Tate Lady Aggies 2-1 Thursday night in Niceville.
Kara Wine had a solo homer to left field to put the Aggies on the board in the first inning. Wine went 2-3 on the night. Amburleigh Larid and Jordan Smith each had one hit.
Smith took the loss for Tate. She went for six innings, giving up two runs on 10 hits, striking out three and walking one.
Pictured: Kara Wine had a solo homer to left field for the Lady Aggies Thursday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tennis Boys And Girls Defeat Navarre
March 15, 2024
The Tate Aggies boys and girls tennis teams defeated Navarre Thursday afternoon. The boys won 7-0, and the girls were victorious 4-3.
Next up, the Aggies will take on Washington Friday at the Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Falls To Crestview On The Road
March 14, 2024
The Crestview Bulldogs defeated the Tate Aggies 7-1 Wednesday night in Crestview.
Kaleb Posta took the loss for the Aggies, giving up three runs on four hits, striking out one and walking two over four innings.
Conner Hassell went 2-3 at bat for the Aggies with a double. Brayden Beck was 1-3 with one RBI, and Madox Land was 1-3. Sheppard Edgar went for one and a third inning on the mound, surrendering one hit and four runs, striking out one and walking three. Logan Kimmons tossed two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit, no runs, striking out one and walking one.
Tate will be at Gulf Breeze Thursday at 7 p.m.