Wiener Dog Race Night: Ice Flyers With Big Win To End Losing Streak
January 15, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
Fueled by another record-setting crowd Saturday night, the vibe was evident before the game-opening faceoff.
And the Ice Flyers matched it with a special performance.
Just as another attendance mark was shattered, so was a seven-game losing streak in a big way as the Ice Flyers rolled past the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs in a 6-2 victory, as a crowd of 7,243 at the Pensacola Bay Center celebrated the team’s first win since before Christmas.
“We’ve been talking a lot, the last two or three weeks, but it was more actions tonight,” said team captain Garrett Milan, who assisted on a go-ahead goal in the first period that became vital. “I think we were all kind of embarrassed personally and that’s what I said to the group.
“As much as we’re not playing very well, as much as we’re getting bashed, which is as it should be, when it’s getting personal now,” he said, detailing his address to teammates. “And I think everyone took that personally going into this game and played their hearts out and it showed on the ice.”
Before much of the crowd – a 15-year franchise record for a non-discounted night that became the second 7,000-plus this season – had even settled into seats, the Ice Flyers scored the first goal.
Houston Wilson, who had a goal in Friday night’s 5-2 loss to Roanoke, rifled a wrist shot into the top corner of the net just 43 seconds into the game.
Just over a minute later, Roanoke tied the game and groans ensued throughout the arena.
Four minutes later, however, Milan and Joseph Widmar, set up Wilson with his second goal and from that point the Ice Flyers kept that same high-level play.
“Even when they tied it up pretty quickly, it was that response,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “How are we going to respond to a little bit of adversity? And we went right back down there and started doing some good things.
‘I thought (Ice Flyers forwards) hunted down their D (defense) all night long. When we are playing good hockey, it’s about getting the puck in the offensive zone and going to work. The guys really bought in and it was total, complete effort.
“I thought how we were just making simple plays made the game look a lot of easier for us. It had a nice fluidity out there. When you play that way and everybody is all on the same page, it makes the game a lot easier.”
The Ice Flyers took a 3-1 lead later in the first period when Mitch Atkins scored his 10th goal this season.
Five minutes into the second period, the Ice Flyers appeared to go up 4-1, but the goal was disallowed, because the referee momentarily lost sight of the puck in a scramble in the crease area and blew his whistle. Because the whistle blew before the goal, a replay couldn’t be used.
No matter. The Ice Flyers then strung together two goals in just over 60 seconds apart when newcomers Adam Keyes scored his third goal of the season and Reggie Millette celebrated his first goal since joining the Ice Flyers.
And then just 13 seconds into the third period, Widmar finished the Ice Flyers scoring and the game was put away.
Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger delivered a series of terrific saves throughout the game, but most notably in the first period when Roanoke had several odd man rushes and some good look chances.
“Just believing,” said Ice Flyers winger Malik Johnson, who got the crowd going early in the game with a late first-period fight that set a tone on how physical the Ice Flyers were in this game. “You’re on a seven-game losing streak… probably the biggest one I’ve had in my career. I told the boys we are playing for us and let’s just have fun.”
They did. And what’s more, a record crowd watched it.
“We have the best fans in the league,” Johnson said. “We were on seven-game losing streak and to have fans like that come out and watch us, we wanted to get the job done especially for them.”
“The crowd was spectacular,” Graham said. “It was loud, and I think the boys fed off of that.”
The Ice Flyers will now remain at home this week before hosting Huntsville and Macon in back-to-back games next weekend.
“I just want them to go out be safe and have fun (Saturday) as a team,” Graham said. “I want them to enjoy this. It has been very tense around here. I have been on them hard. They earned that the old fashion way.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Huntsville Havoc vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Friday (Jan. 19), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
Mistakes, Misfortune Continue As Ice Flyers Endure 5-2 Loss To Roanoke Friday
January 14, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers had their four-week slide hit a new low.
In a game that highlighted the team’s current woes, the Ice Flyers were buried by a five-goal deficit after two periods and the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs breezed to a 5-2 win Friday night, which became Pensacola’s seventh consecutive loss.
Since the start of December, the Ice Flyers have managed just three wins in 13 games. The latest setback became a fourth consecutive defeat on home ice at the Pensacola Bay Center. The two teams had a rematch Saturday night as the Ice Flyers sought to end their struggles.
“There is something going on right now and we have to figure it out internally,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “It is frustrating to see. It is not for a lack of talent, we just need for guys to really start elevating.”
After his team trailed 5-0 at the second intermission, Graham lit into players in the dressing room. The Ice Flyers responded with their best 10 minutes of the game, getting goals from Houston Wilson – his second of the season – and Ivan Bondarenko.
But that was followed by the Ice Flyers taking two penalties in a 15-second span that gave Roanoke a 5-on-3 advantage. The Ice Flyers killed both penalties, then pulled goaltender Stephen Mundinger with more than five minutes remaining for extra attacker but weren’t able to generate any further surge.
“Unfortunately, I had to go in there and lose my mind like an idiot after the second period,” Graham said. “Why should I have to bring the pom-poms out and act like an idiot to get a response (from players)? This is professional hockey. That is non-negotiable. I should not have to coach effort and attitude.”
Roanoke, the defending Southern Professional Hockey League champions won for the sixth time in the team’s past seven games. The Rail Yard Dawgs (17-7, 3 OT losses, 35 points) entered weekend in fourth place in league standings.
Friday’s game was the Ice Flyers midpoint of their season. The Ice Flyers (13-15, 26 points) have slipped to just a one-point lead in sixth place.
“You start the see the frustration of guys and you can’t execute as a professional athlete when you are slamming your stick on the glass and … we can’t have that,” Graham said. “We need leaders to lead and go out and play with their hearts on fire.
“It’s just not enough right now. Everything is magnified when you are going through something like this.”
The Rail Yard Dawgs scored the game’s first goal when Justin Daly backhanded a loose puck with his back turned into the net. He scored the team’s next goal three minutes later off a 2-on-1 break and wide-open look. Matt O’Dea followed by finishing a 3-on-1 advantage.
The second period started with a Roanoke goal three minutes into play that caused Graham to lift starting goaltender Riley Morris and insert Mundinger into the net.
During that period, Malik Johnson hit the left goal post on what fooled the goal judge into briefly lighting the lamp. But the puck remained in the goalie’s circle just above the line and was cleared out.
“We get a breakaway and it’s off the post. They get a bounce it’s in the back of the net,” Graham said.
“I liked our start (to the game). We were breaking pucks out well; we were snapping the puck around and everything was going good. Their first goal was a very harmless thing, a loose puck in the side slot and guy throws it at the net and in.
“The problem with our team right now… we’re so fragile and when that happens how do we respond and come out of it. The next five minutes, guys were trying to do too much. We had a couple bad turnovers, gave them momentum and that’s the issue right now with our group.”
“It’s a good group of guys, but when we have adversity right now during this losing streak, everybody wants to start trying to be the hero and do it all themselves, instead of sticking to the gameplan.”
Ice Flyers winger Joseph Widmar, acquired in recent trade with Peoria, continued his solid play with two assists and was the only Ice Flyers player with a plus-2 in the plus-minus category. He now has 26 assists on the season, the most in the league and is the fourth overall scorer.
The Ice Flyers had a “Hockey Night in Pensacola Theme” with fans encouraged to wear jerseys of their favorite NHL team and plenty of NHL teams were represented.
Ernest Ward Middle JV Downs Workman Middle
January 12, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School JV Lady Eagles defeated the Workman Middle School Jaguars Thursday in middle school volleyball action.
Next week, EWMS will take on Brown Barge Middle School.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register By Wednesday For Lil’ Aggies Basketball Cheer Clinic
January 8, 2024
The Tate High School Cheerleaders will host their Lil Aggies Basketball Cheer Clinic on Friday, January 12.
All Lil Aggies will participate in a clinic on Friday afternoon and cheer the first half of the basketball game with the Tate Cheerleaders that evening. Athletes will receive an official Tate face tattoo, pizza before the game, and free admission into the basketball game.
The clinic is for kindergarten to eighth grade. Cost is $55 per athlete. Drop-of time is 4:30 p.m. on January 12 with the game at 7 p.m.
The deadline to register is Wednesday, January 10.
For more info and a registration form, click here (pdf).
Ice Flyers Struggle With Scoring Chances, Fall 2 – 1 Against Peoria
January 6, 2024
By Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers. correspondent
The Ice Flyers didn’t lack for opportunities in Thursday’s game against Peoria.
But they left with another frustrated feeling.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The Ice Flyers failed on six power play chances, including a 5-on-3 situation in the second period, then couldn’t answer in the final 10 minutes after a go-ahead goal led to the Peoria Rivermen skating off with a 2-1 victory at the Pensacola Bay Center.
It became the Ice Flyers fourth consecutive loss.
“When we’ve gotten down in these third periods, we have fallen completely flat,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “When that happens, you need guys to elevate and become even more desperate, more hungry. We have a lack of desperation in our team right now and that is a concern.”
A crowd of 3,609 in the Ice Flyers fourth home game in 12 days watched the Ice Flyers get stymied without a goal in the first two periods. That changed when Mitch Atkins scored 18 seconds into the third period when getting a loose puck, making a quick move and firing into a wide-open net.
That lift brought energy back into the Bay Center on Hometown Heroes Night sponsored by Kia Autosport-Pensacola. The theme night honored area first responders, health care workers and teachers, all of whom in attendance received a loud ovation when asked to stand and be recognized.
People working in either of those three fields were able to purchase discounted tickets at the Bay Center box office.
The game itself contained a unique element after the Rivermen and Ice Flyers agreed upon a six-player trade on New Year’s Day with the Ice Flyers getting veteran forward Joseph Widmar and rookie Adam Keyes, along with defenseman Dale Deon. Widmar had six goals and league-high 24 assists for the Rivermen, pushing him to second in league scoring prior to the game.
Deon, in his third season with Peoria, will join the Ice Flyers this weekend.
In exchange, Ice Flyers winger Dante Zapata and defensemen Meirs Moore and Jayson Dobay switched benches and dressing rooms at the Bay Center to join Peoria.
The Ice Flyers started slow. They were outshot 11-1 in the first 10 minutes.
“It didn’t seem like anybody was really going early on,” Graham said. “Actually I thought Widmar had really good pace. You could tell he wanted to play against his former team.”
In addition to Widmar, Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger continued making terrific saves throughout the game and kept it a one-score opportunity through two periods.
“I thought Dinger was the first star of the game,” Graham said. “That’s great when you can get great goaltending like that. It could have easily been a 3-1 or 4-1 game without Dinger playing so well.
“Just offensively, anemic. And a lot of stemmed from our inability to win faceoffs early on. When you are having to bring pucks out every shift under heavy forecheck, it allows the other team to get their game going. (Rivermen) are very consistent in getting pucks in deep. Their top players were consistent doing it.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The Ice Flyers (13-12) had four power play chances in the second period. They gained a 5 on 3 advantage for 1 minute, 24 seconds on consecutive Rivermen penalties less than four minutes into the period.
But the Ice Flyers couldn’t get the right shot.
“The story of the game was our anemic power play,” Graham said. “The power play is just an absolute abomination right now. Key guys are not executing, not winning battles and just unwilling to shoot the puck.
“It has hurt the team when you are struggling, you are just way overthinking things, instead of just keeping it simple and putting things to the net right now. Unfortunately, as a coach, there are only so many things you can help a player out with.”
After Atkins tied the game in the third period, Peoria’s Alec Baer scored on a rebound with 8:18 remaining that Mundinger had no chance to stop. From that point, the Ice Flyers had few chances, even when Mundinger was pulled for an extra attacker with 1:33 left to play.
“It’s been the same all year… It seems like it takes us for awhile to get going,” Graham said. “And once we get going it’s like, ah-ha, everybody just wakes up on the bench and wait, we just scored a goal? And we start playing better hockey.”
The Ice Flyers will now seek to alter their slide on the road Friday against the Macon Mayhem, then will travel to face first-place Birmingham on Saturday in the fourth matchup between these teams in two weeks.
“It’s just urgency and desperation,” said Graham on what his team needs to change. “We need to see a huge heartbeat from the team.”
Ice Flyers Unable To Hold Off Bulls In Front Of Franchise Record Crowd
January 1, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers set a record crowd Saturday night and created an unprecedented holiday weekend setting.
What missed, however, was a celebratory outcome in the game.
The Birmingham Bulls scored a trio of power play goals, including twice with just two seconds remaining in the man advantage, and produced a 4-2 win that quieted a crowd of 7,159 at the Pensacola Bay Center. The win followed first place Birmingham’s 4-3 victory Friday on the Bulls home ice and brought a sweep of three games in five days this holiday week against the Ice Flyers.
The near-sellout crowd in the building was the Ice Flyers’ largest in their 15-year franchise history for a game that didn’t occur on the annual $5 ticket weekend. Saturday was Military Appreciation Night and it led into a special atmosphere.
“Excellent crowd. The crowd was unreal,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “Too bad they had to see us shoot ourselves in the foot countless times. That was disappointing.”
The Ice Flyers scored the game’s first goal when Garrett Milan tipped in a shot less than five minutes into the period. But once Birmingham tied the game less than two minutes later, the Bulls never trailed again.
Playing with only five defensemen due to injuries, the Ice Flyers were further challenged by having to try and kill six power play chances for the Bulls while committed eight infractions in the game.
“I thought we had a timely start, getting the first goal, which was good for our group,” Graham said. “We are dealing with some chemistry issues… little tired on the back end, guys have been battling and that has definitely been an issue for us as of late.
“But again, we have not had discipline issues all season and now they are starting to rear their ugly head. And that’s something I am not going to tolerate one bit.
“The carelessness of how we tried to execute on our game plan against a team that has been sitting atop of the league and to think we can do that type of stuff and have success is just mind numbing.”
Birmingham scored a go-ahead goal on a power play with 1:43 left in the first period on a wrist shot by Ryan Romeo from inside the blue line.
The Bulls went up 3-1 in the second period, after the Ice Flyers nearly killed off a 5 on 3 disadvantage situation. They played with two men down for 53 seconds, got that killed off, but the Bulls’ Carson Rose scored with 6:36 left and Malik Johnson ready to come out of the penalty box.
“We knew going in with five defensemen against best team in the league, here is a certain way you have to play to manage that type of environment,” Graham said. “And taking penalties and putting yourself shorthanded is the worst thing you can do for those defensemen. It just wears them down.”
The Ice Flyers energized the crowd when Ivan Bondarenko scored with 21.2 seconds left in the period by pouncing on a favorable bounce off the back boards and getting the puck past Birmingham goaltender Drennen Atherton.
That momentum carried into intermission and the Ice Flyers had a chance for a tying goal when Birmingham was whistled for a holding penalty with 11:17 left.
With 4:38 remaining Lucas Herrmann was called on a cross-checking penalty just before the Ice Flyers had killed off an earlier penalty. In this case, the Bulls Drake Glover scored 23 seconds later for a two-goal lead and the crowd began to exit.
“We just have a lot of guys underperforming right now. I think every team deals with it throughout a year. I think there has been some complacency that has been festering and we are starting to see it, ” said Graham.
“When you play the top team in the league three straight games you are either going to sink or you are going to swim and I think we are seeing what direction we are going.”
With their trio of wins in a week, Birmingham (17-4, 3 OT losses, 27 points) heads into the New Year with a two-point lead over Fayetteville atop the SPHL standings. The Ice Flyers (13-11) dropped into a fifth-place tie.
The Bulls now have a 5-3 lead in the season series.
Graham promised some hard practices and adjustments before the Ice Flyers next game on Jan. 4 at home against Peoria.
“There will be a lot of working going on behind the scenes, that’s for sure,” he said.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Peoria Rivermen vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Thursday (Jan. 4), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
Late-Game Misfortune Before Big Crowd Sinks Ice Flyers In First Home Loss
December 27, 2023
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers.Com Correspondent
A quick breakdown and bad ricochet off the boards led into the Ice Flyers first home ice loss.
First-place Birmingham seized upon a mistake, had center Brendan Soucie pounce on a bounce for a go-ahead goal with 6:23 remaining and the Bulls thwarted any space for a tying opportunity in their 3-2 win Tuesday night against the Ice Flyers.
On the night after Christmas, a crowd of 5,418 filled the lower bowl of the Pensacola Bay Center on Youth Jersey Night. They watched the Ice Flyers twice rally with game-tying goals, but the final minutes proved elusive for another shot at a comeback win.
“We do a great job of climbing back in the game and we had a couple back to back shifts of doing stuff that we don’t want to be doing, which is going backwards and it allowed them to get up on us and get momentum and wear our (defense) down,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham, whose team had won its first nine home games.
“We had this lapse for about three minutes and it killed us,” Graham said. “The worst thing was we couldn’t find our game when we needed it the most. When you get a good crowd like that it is always frustrating to lose the game in that fashion.
For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here.
“But you create your bounces and Birmingham was working hard with the forecheck and they got a bounce and they capatilize.”
The Bulls (15-4, 3 OT losses, 33 points) took over first place in the Southern Professional Hockey League standings with the win, The Ice Flyers (13-9, 26 points). dropped into fourth place with the loss.
The teams will play again on Friday at the Pelham Civic Center outside of Birmingham, then return to the Bay Center for the final game of this week’s series on Saturday night.
The first 1,000 children ages 12-under through the arena doors Tuesday received an Ice Flyers replica jersey courtesy. This night followed a crowd of 6,000-plus that watched the Ice Flyers win Saturday against Macon that kept the home streak going.
Tuesday’s crowd filled with kids led to enthusiastic, hopeful setting that responded when the Ice Flyers tied the game 1-1 in the final minute of the second period, then had Taylor Egan rifle a tying goal with 9:01 left to create more energy.
“First (home) loss in nine games, so it’s tough to do that in front of your hometown crowd,” Egan said. “You always want to pull off a win for them. (Crowd turnout) was amazing People could be spending that time at home with their families and they choose to come here and support us. It was great.”
The Ice Flyers gave up a power play goal, after nearly killing off what started as a 5-on-3 disadvantage midway in the third period. But the Bulls 2-1 lead on Egan’s wrist shot from inside the blue line two minutes later.
On the player, teammate Dallas Comeau created a screen and Egan’s shot went into the side pocket of the net.
“It seemed like they were pretty tight on their coverage in the d-zone (defensive zone) all game,” Egan said. “Mitch Atkins made a nice play, realizing he had time and space (for a pass). I was in the slot, Dallas put a good screen there and I realized the pressure was in front of the net down low and I took advantage of that.”
That momentum, however, was answered by Birmingham when Soucie wound up with an unassisted goal that he flicked in off the bounce past Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger.
In the final 90 seconds, the Bulls kept the Ice Flyers from getting Mundinger off the ice for an extra attacker until 14.9 seconds left. The last chance was a faceoff with 5.6 seconds left, won by the Bulls to seal the game.
“I couldn’t get my goalie pulled which was frustrating,” Graham said.
The Bulls win evened their season record (3-3) against the Ice Flyers.
After a scoreless first period in which the teams combined for just nine shots on goal, the game was tied 1-1 after two periods. The Ice Flyers scored on their 18th shot in the game when Brett Mecrones pounced on a center ice turnover, got a breakaway with a trailing teammate and flicked a wrist shot into the net with 49.6 seconds left in the period.
The Ice Flyers killed a pair of penalties in the second period, including a four-minute high sticking infraction whistled against Malik Johnson with 8:42 left and it became a big moment in the game.
Birmingham scored the game’s first goal five minutes earlier when Scott Donahue poked in a loose puck that had fallen off Mundinger’s chest amid a player scramble in the crease area.
“For them, (Bulls) keep the puck away from the dangerous areas in their d-zone,” Egan said. “They keep it off the wall. They make simple plays which is good hockey and it’s frustrating for teams to play against. But obviously it’s proven successful for them.”
For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here.
Following the game, the players met with fans for an autograph session on the second-level concourse.
UP NEXT
WHO: Birmingham Bulls vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
Ice Flyers Sweep The Mayhem Headed Into Short Holiday Break
December 25, 2023
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,138 fans, the Ice Flyers downed the Mayhem in a 7-3 win at the Pensacola Bay Center Saturday night.
Mitch Atkins got his first Ice Flyers hat-trick after scoring a pair of goals in the 2nd period and then capitalizing on a power play in the 3rd.
Riley Morris made his first appearance back home in front of the Ice Flyers faithful this season. Morris played 11 games for the Ice Flyers last season before being called up to play for the ECHL Tulsa Oilers.
The Ice Flyers return to the Hangar on Tuesday, where they’ll be up against a tough Birmingham team that is finding success and sitting at first place in the league standings.
Last Minute Gift Idea: Florida Hunting And Fishing Licenses, Park Passes Are 50% Off
December 21, 2023
Florida is offering a 50% discount on annual state park passes and FWC Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses under the “Great Outdoors Initiative” under an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. These savings will continue to be available through the holiday season until Jan. 13, 2024.
“Florida has award-winning recreation lands, and I’m proud to see Floridians exploring our great outdoors,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “A lifetime hunting and fishing license or annual park pass at a large discount makes a great Christmas gift for the whole family. Excitement for the great outdoors has been passed on through generations of Floridians and I am proud to continue supporting these family traditions.”
Tthe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will discount the annual resident Gold Sportsman license, five-year Gold Sportsman license and Lifetime Sportsman license by 50%. Also, the Department of Environmental Protection will offer a 50% discount on annual state park passes.
The following FWC Gold Sportsman licenses, which include the saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting privileges and all associated permits, are discounted by 50% and will be available at the following rates, plus applicable fees:
- Annual Gold Sportsman – $50.75.
- 5-year Gold Sportsman – $247.75.
- Lifetime Sportsman’s License
- Age 4 or younger – $201.50.
- Ages 5-12 – $351.50.
- Ages 13 and older – $501.50.
Florida State Parks Annual Passes will have a 50% discount and are available tat the following rates:
- Family Annual Pass – $60, plus tax.
- Individual Annual Pass – $30, plus tax.
To buy a pass or to find a park near you, visit: www.floridastateparks.org/.
To find more information on fishing and hunting licenses in Florida, visit: myfwc.com/license/recreational/ and to purchase a license, visit: License.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Ice Flyers Seek To Reverse Road Fortune As Schedule Hits Holiday Peak
December 21, 2023
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The schedule allowed the Ice Flyers to have an extended break before the holiday portion of their season.
Now, the quest is to make the most from it.
After losing consecutive games for the first time last weekend at Quad City, the Ice Flyers had a full week to recharge and get a pair of practices before Saturday’s game in Huntsville, Ala. against the Huntsville Havoc. A shorter break then ensues before the Ice Flyers play five games in eight days, including three at the Pensacola Bay Center as part of a Christmas-New Year’s flurry of contests.
“It’s not sitting well with our group right now and we have to figure some stuff out,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham, prior to his team leaving Friday for a practice in Birmingham, before the game at Huntsville. “Our road game has just not been good this year. You can’t hide from it.
“We had some hard conversations after (last) Friday night’s game. You have to have an attitude when you go on the road and we have to find it somehow.”
The Ice Flyers are 3-7 on the road and have been outscored 41-21 in those games. But their unbeaten home record (8-0) has buoyed them into a second-place tie with the Birmingham Bulls (22 points) as the Ice Flyers near the one-third point of their 56-game schedule in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Following the losses on back-to-back nights against Quad City in Moline, Illinois, several Ice Flyers players traveled to visit with their families who they won’t see at Christmas. Graham traveled back to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be with his wife and family for a few days.
He took a side trip to Chicago last Sunday, then began refocusing on the schedule ahead Monday and throughout this week.
“I talked to (Ice Flyers owner) Greg (Harris) about a month ago about this and seeing the schedule, and the fact we didn’t have a Thanksgiving break and we don’t have a Christmas or New Year’s break, we decided to do it,” Graham said. “Typically, in the past, the teams I have coached, I try to look at the calendar for the whole year and see if there’s a little bit of time where you can give a break.
“It was a rare thing in our schedule where we only had the one Saturday game and it made sense for us to try and a have a break. It’s cool if guys can see families, but it’s really more about a recharge, a little extra rest for the body.
“It stinks that we didn’t play well (last week). You never want to go into a break not playing good hockey. It probably weighs more on the head coach than it does the players.”
The Ice Flyers will follow Saturday’s game at Huntsville with another road game, this one Dec. 22 in Macon, Ga. against the Macon Mayhem. They will faceoff against Macon the following night in Pensacola in the first home game in three weeks.
The Ice Flyers then will play home games Dec. 26 and Dec. 30 against the Birmingham Bulls and play in Birmingham on Dec. 29. It will be a quick turnaround each time between games.
“We are going to start getting into the thick part of the season when games are going to start coming at you in a hurry,” Graham said. “With our group, it has taken a little longer to figure out the road thing and I am starting to get a little impatient. Because my job is to find solutions.
“For us on the road, we have to be more patient. We have to understand that it’s okay for us to win a low scoring ugly game on the road. We don’t have to entertain our fans. It can be an ugly win, we just need the points. Just getting the message across to the group is very important.”
Another evaluation will occur Saturday in Huntsville as Graham looks at his roster and players he can count upon for the rest of the season.
The Havoc (8-8, 2 OT losses) have 18 points and reside in sixth place right now. This is a team Graham knows will present the same kind of challenges as the first two meetings.
“They have good goaltending and they play the game the right way… they don’t beat themselves,” he said. “They work hard away from the puck. The two times we played them, they were very stingy defensively both nights. They are a hard-working team.
“Overall team defense and special teams are always huge on the road and we haven’t been good at either one of those lately. We have to change that right away.”
WANT TO FOLLOW?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Huntsville Havoc
WHERE: Propst Arena, Huntsville, Ala.
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
NEXT HOME GAME: Dec. 23 vs. Macon Mayhem at 7:05 p.m.