#PensacolaIceFlyers

[mitchbeck]

BEN FREEMAN SIGNS WITH GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, the ECHL affiliate of the LA Kings, announced today that the club has signed returning forward Ben Freeman to an ECHL contract ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. Freeman, 27, returns to the Swamp Rabbits for a third season, having appeared in 127 games in the Navy and Orange between 2021 and 2023. In 65 games during the 2022-23 season, Freeman posted a career-high 13 goals and tied his career-high of 32 points before leading the Swamp Rabbits with four (4) goals and six (6) points during the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs. A native of Falmouth, Maine, Freeman has totaled 64 (23g, 41a) regular-season points while wearing a Greenville sweater. In his ECHL career, Freeman posted an additional seven (7) appearances while a member of the Wheeling Nailers during the 2020-21 season before winning a Presidents Cup with the SPHL's Pensacola Ice Flyers that same season. The Swamp Rabbits will open the 2023-24 Season presented by Bon Secours on Saturday, October 22, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Swamp Rabbits Full and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825. About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits … Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's LA Kings and the AHL's Ontario Reign. Greenville is a member of the ECHL Premier AA Hockey League. GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS HOME Read the full article

[mrskelseydw]

It was such a good night at the game with one of the most important men in my life. I’m thankful for him everyday. All the advice he’s ever given me. The food he’s put on my plate. Each hug and kiss goodbye and hello. He’s worked so hard. >>>He’s the kind of father they all talk about wanting.<<< I will never take him for granted. I know better. Y’all, I cry too much when I think about my dad. I’m just so thankful. My heart is so full of love... it’s honestly overflowing. So here’s to my dad, Another year older (as of the 10th). Another year wiser. (Thank goodness because I’ll be needing more advice in this life.) #love #fatherdaughterlove #qualitytime #hockeygame #pensacolaiceflyers #flyerswin #pensacolablogger #ladylemonblog #floridablogger (at Pensacola Bay Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvaVVx_nkE4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rlifwz558vxw

[jennsfightforfit-blog]

Getting ready for an intermission performance. #pensacolaiceflyers #pensacolabaycenter #greaterpensacolafigureskatingclub #gpfsc (at Pensacola Ice Flyers)

[tsbarnett]

Date night y'all 💕 #hockey #localhockey #pensacolaiceflyers

[sunrisemarine]

You're the man, no you're the man, no you're the man...... #lovemyjob #lovejob #sunrisemarine #robalo #robaloboats #chaparralboats #chaparral #iceflyers #pensacolaiceflyers (at Sunrise Marine - Boat Sales and Service)

[beautiful-mess-and-beyond]

THIS!!!! #Repost @tucker_acceleration ・・・ Our Pensacola Ice Flyers will be on the road heading to Columbus...some of the guys were starting to feel the grind of the season...so before they left on the road trip I reminded them that when warriors would go off to battle...to defend the town, the tribe, the city...they were honored...to wear our name on your chest as you go into battle...it's humbling...and I reminded them of the respect we have for you...to give all that you have for us...we are grateful...we are blessed to be able to call you our own...this will always be your home...and we are bonded together forever because of this...this time in our lives...where you carried on the tradition of this community, this city, and this organization...we have won the championship twice, and been to the dance two more times...if Columbus doesn't respect that...then break the "hearts" of their fans...crush their "dreams"...and smash any "hope" they might have...and when you come home we will embrace you as a community...because this team...is "our" team...Good Luck Boys...now go take what's yours! #pensacolaiceflyers (at Acceleration Fitness and Sports Performance)

[kinsleesuzanne]

Tonight's adventure! #pensacolaiceflyers

[mitchbeck]

SHELLEY: GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS RE-SIGN BEN FREEMAN

BY: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC -  The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced today that the club had re-signed forward Ben Freeman ahead of the 2022-23 season. Freeman, 26, returns for a second season in a Greenville sweater after amassing 32 points (10g, 22a) during the 2021-22 season. A consistent two-way player, the Falmouth, ME native produced nine special team points, including a team-leading three (2g, 1a) shorthanded points. "Freeman was arguable our most improved player in his first season in the league, and we are extremely excited to have him back in Greenville next season," said Swamp Rabbits Head Coach Andrew Lord. "Ben is a great 200-foot center who plays the game the right way and can help in all situations.  Freeman is a big piece to our core group for this upcoming season and will contribute heavily to our team culture." Having won a President Cup with SPHL's Pensacola Ice Flyers in 2020, Freeman used his playoff experience to lead the Swamp Rabbits with six points (2g, 4a) in six games during the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Swamp Rabbits open the 2022-23 season, presented by Bon Secours, on Saturday, October 22 at 7:05 p.m. as they take on the newest team in the ECHL, the Savannah Ghost Pirates, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. 2022-23 full and Half Season Tickets are now on sale by calling (864)-674-7825 or visiting SwampRabbits.com. About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are proud affiliates of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Greenville is an ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member. GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS HOME Read the full article

[mrskelseydw]

Hockey will forever be my favorite for so many reasons. We have had quite the start to the season and I’m anticipating the direction it’s headed. Zero losses and that is pure happiness for me. This rink has been a place I’ve gone since my days in the womb. From Pilots to Flyers, Civic Center to Bay Center and championship games. I’ve been one of their biggest fans. #hockey #pensacola #pensacolaiceflyers #iceflyers #flyers #pensacolabaycenter #biggestfan #favorite #sport #america #veteransday (at Pensacola Bay Center)

[honeysuckle0708]

Wahoo!! Score!! Such a great final period!! #hockey #pensacolaiceflyers

[pcolaiceflyers]

2014 President's Cup Finals: Ice Flyers vs. Columbus Cottonmouths

The Ice Flyers took the regular season series from the Cottonmouths 2-0-0. That likely doesn't mean much, though. As cliché as it is, the playoffs are a whole other monster so regular season success is nice but not necessarily a harbinger of post season success. Also, that fact that these two teams have played only twice during the regular season means they aren't too familiar with each other. 

Coach Aldoff will have to rely more on game film than his own experience against the Snakes. Same can be said for Columbus coach Jerome Bechard.

Columbus will be backstopped, in all likelihood, by Andrew Loewen. Loewen is in his fourth year with the Cottonmouths and his second as the #1. During the regular season, Loewen went 21-15-1 in 38 games played with a 2.70 goals against average and a 0.914 save percentage. He's played in all five games in the playoffs with a 4-1 record, 1.21 GAA, and 0.963 SV%. 

In the playoffs the Snakes have scored 15 goals and only allowed 6; so, naturally, their blue liners have nice numbers. They only have a single player with a negative plus/minus (Chris Bailer, -1) and four with at least a +4 (Mike Switzer, Kyle Johnson, Tom Maldonado, and Jason Gray).

On offense, the Cottonmouths will be relying on Matt Gingera. They've spread the scoring around fairly well, but Gingera is their dynamo. He's got 7 points (4 g, 3 a), a +5, and 6 penalty minutes in 5 games.

Prediction

No prediction will be made. Just enjoy this brief little preview.

[mitchbeck]

KEELEY: SWAVELY’S THREE POINT NIGHT SINKS MARINERS IN READING

Mariners fall in final game of 2019 BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners READING, PA – December 31, 2019 – Steven Swavely’s three point night in his return from the AHL boosted the Reading Royals to a 5-3 win over the Maine Mariners on Tuesday night at Santander Arena. The Mariners got goals from Taylor Cammarata, Ted Hart, and newcomer Eddie Matsushima. The Mariners struck early at 4:29 of the first period, converting just five seconds into the game’s first power play. Ty Ronning faked a shot from the point and put a puck right on Taylor Cammarata’s tape to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. Sean Day picked up the secondary helper. Reading built a significant shot advantage but remained down 1-0 until the 16:08 mark, when Garret Cockerill’s shot from the point beat the stick side of Connor LaCouvee to tie the game. Steven Swavely, just down from AHL Lehigh Valley, had an assist on the game-tying goal and would put the Royals ahead just over three minutes later. Frank DiChiara rushed down the right wing and fired a shot off LaCouvee’s pad that rebounded right to Swavely in the slot at 19:10. Reading outshot Maine 14-11 in the first for their 2-1 lead. Just two minutes into the third, Reading scored their third in a row when Cockerill found Brayden Low driving the net to make it 3-1. The Mariners closed the gap back to one at 8:09, Ted Hart cleaning up Scott Savage’s point shot. The Mariners then had a two-man advantage for over a minute thanks to penalties from Trevor Gooch and Garrett Mitchell, but couldn’t convert. Mitchell immediately joined the rush out of the penalty box and set up Swavely for his second goal of the game. The Royals added insurance at 15:37 when Matt Strome scored on the power play. At 9:09 of the third, the Mariners got one back on Eddie Matsushima’s first ECHL goal in his Mariners debut. Matsushima finished a wraparound from behind the net, off the skate of Royals goaltender Kirill Ustimenko. Matsushima was signed to a SPC from the Pensacola Ice Flyers on Monday, and had previously played two ECHL games with the Orlando Solar Bears earlier this month. The Mariners pulled LaCouvee with just over two minutes to go but could not get any closer. Ustimenko and LaCouvee each stopped 26 shots. The Mariners return to the Cross Insurance Arena starting this weekend to play six of their first seven games of 2020 on home ice. Friday, January 3rd against the Jacksonville Ice Men is a 1-2-3 Friday, featuring $1 Aquafina water, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2nd period. It’s also Bath Savings night, with puck dropping at 7:15 PM. Saturday, January 4th is “Hockey Day in Maine” featuring a doubleheader that begins with the University of Maine men’s hockey team hosting the University of Nebraska-Omaha at noon. The Mariners and Jacksonville follow with a game at 6 PM. Hockey Day in Maine packages are available at MarinersOfMaine.com which include discounted tickets to both games plus special Hockey Day in Maine collectibles. It’s also “Witchcraft and Wizardry Night.” Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets to all games by calling 833-GO-MAINE. Individual tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com, at the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KEELEY: MARINERS SIGN EDDIE MATSUSHIMA

Mariners add SPHL forward from Pensacola BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners READING, PA – December 30, 2019 – The Mariners have signed forward Eddie Matsushima to a standard player contract, the team announced on Monday. Matsushima joins the Mariners from the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League, and has also played two ECHL games this season for the Orlando Solar Bears. Matsushima, 25, is from Verona, Wisconsin and played his entire career in his home state prior to joining Pensacola. After two years at Verona High School which included a stint on Team Wisconsin, Matsushima joined the NAHL’s Coulee Region Chill (La Crosse, WI) and played there for three full seasons from 2012-15. He joined the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (NCAA DIII) and played four seasons, the final two of which he averaged over a point per game, leading the Falcons in scoring as a junior and senior. He was named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic All-Conference Team both seasons and was also a WIAC Scholar Athlete as a senior in 2018-19. Matsushima joined the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers after graduating last season, and put up 13 points in 14 regular season games. He’s off to a strong start this season, with 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists) in 19 games for the Ice Flyers – ranking second on the team in scoring. On December 20th, Matsushima was loaned to the Orlando Solar Bears and played in two games, registering no points and seven penalty minutes – including a fighting major. The Mariners spend New Year’s Eve in Reading, taking on the Royals at 4 PM on Tuesday. They return to play five of their first six games of 2020 at the Cross Insurance Arena. Friday, January 3rd against the Jacksonville Ice Men is a 1-2-3 Friday, featuring $1 Aquafina water, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2nd period. It’s also Bath Savings night, with puck dropping at 7:15 PM. Saturday, January 4th is “Hockey Day in Maine” featuring a doubleheader that begins with the University of Maine men’s hockey team hosting the University of Nebraska-Omaha at noon. The Mariners and Jacksonville follow with a game at 6 PM. Hockey Day in Maine packages are available at MarinersOfMaine.com which include discounted tickets to both games plus special Hockey Day in Maine collectibles. It’s also “Witchcraft and Wizardry Night.” Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets to all games by calling 833-GO-MAINE. Individual tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com, at the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KUHNS: SWAMP RABBITS WEEKLY #13

Playoff spot within reach in a crucial weekend against South Division's best BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC - This week saw 2019 begin with one of the biggest games of the season in Orlando to take on the Solar Bears, who hold on to the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. The potential for a four-point swing in the standings loomed, and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits got news that their top goal scorer, Johno May, had been called up to the AHL level. As a result, the Swamp Rabbits needed to band together to put together one of the best overall performances of the season. Garrett Bartus led the way in net for Greenville with 29 saves on 30 shots, Brendan Harms and Dylan Vander Esch provided the offense, and the Swamp Rabbits pulled away from Orlando with two key points in regulation. The win put them four points away from the Solar Bears for the playoff spot that the Bears currently tenuously hold onto. A return home was in the cards for the Swamp Rabbits to take on the Worcester Railers for the first time in team history. A win would put Greenville within two points of a playoff spot. Thanks to three goals in a 100-second span, that's exactly what happened. Goals from Thomas Ebbing, Chris Izmirlian, and Garrett Milan, all cued the comeback and gave the Swamp Rabbits the win. However, even fatigued as the Worcester Railers were, playing their third game in as many days, and facing a four-game losing streak, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead through two periods of play. The Swamp Rabbits made it interesting with two goals in the third period, and a huge rally late with the extra attacker on, but the effort fell one goal short. 1/2 @ Orlando Solar Bears - W 2-1 1/5 vs. Worcester Railers - W 4-1 1/6 vs. Worcester Railers - L 3-2 FAMILY DENTAL HEALTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK Garrett Milan - 3 GP | 2 G - 0 A - 2 P Newcomer Garrett Milan joined the Swamp Rabbits from the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL, and after scoring 6 points in five games there, Milan has struck gold in Greenville. He posted his first goal of the season, an empty-netter to seal up Saturday's win, and got the Swamp Rabbits within a goal on Sunday afternoon with a key goal. He also found a way to revolutionize the Swamp Rabbits' third line with Stephen Pierog and Dylan Vander Esch into a consistent offensive threat every shift. RABBIT TAILS The Swamp Rabbits have pulled into fifth place in the South Division alone after a leapfrog of the Norfolk Admirals in the standings. While the Orlando Solar Bears have four games in hand, the Swamp Rabbits are four points back of them for the fourth and final playoff spot heading into this crucial weekend with the division-leading Florida Everblades on tap. The 'Blades enter the week at 23-7-5, and their 51 points lead the league. Florida has only lost four times on home ice, and own a +25 goal differential at Hertz Arena. They have scored the most goals as a team in the league (131), and have allowed the third-fewest goals against (88). The Swamp Rabbits have been in their fair share of one-goal games this season. At 9-6-5, they have picked up standings points in 14 of the 20 opportunities. They are especially good at winning in that situation on the road with a record of 6-2-1. 38 games into the season, the Swamp Rabbits have four double-digit goal scorers (Michael Pelech, Johno May, Austen Brassard, Chris Izmirlian). Thomas Ebbing is one goal away from joining the party. The Swamp Rabbits have received superb goaltending from Chris Nell and Garrett Bartus since the end of the holiday break. Nell has worked to a 2.42 GAA and a .938 save percentage, and Bartus' one start since the holiday break was good for a 1.00 GAA and a .967 save percentage. One facet of the Swamp Rabbits' game that will need to improve as the season goes along is the penalty kill. While it has been better lately than the beginning of the season, the 76.0% success rate is last in the league, and the 40 power play goals against are most in the league. UPCOMING GAMES Wednesday, January 9 | at Florida Everblades | 7:30 p.m. Watch | Listen Exclusively on ESPN Upstate Friday, January 11 | at Florida Everblades | 7:30 p.m. Watch | Listen Saturday, January 12 | at Florida Everblades | 7:00 p.m. Watch | Listen SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS Florida Everblades (23-7-5) - 51 pts South Carolina Stingrays (20-14-1) - 41 pts Jacksonville Icemen (19-14-1) - 39 pts Orlando Solar Bears (17-14-3) - 37 pts Greenville Swamp Rabbits (14-19-3) - 33 pts Norfolk Admirals (14-18-4) - 32 pts Atlanta Gladiators (8-19-6) - 22 pts   *standings as of 10:00 a.m. on January 7, 2019 Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KEELEY: MARINERS SIGN NEIL, INVITE SCHULTZ TO TRYOUT

Former SPHL forwards in the mix for 2018-19 BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – August 10, 2018 – The Maine Mariners added two more forwards to the mix for their inaugural season on Friday, announcing the signing of Ken Neil and inviting Durham, New Hampshire native Evan Schultz to a tryout. Both players spent the 2017-18 in the SPHL.

Ken Neil (5’8, 150) is a forward from Clarenville, Newfoundland, who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL). In 38 games last season, Neil scored 14 goals and added 11 assists. He had six points in nine games for Pensacola in 2016-17 after graduating from SUNY Oswego, where he had been an assistant captain his Senior season. He was also the team’s leading scorer with 43 points in 25 games. “We have been searching for a center and we feel Ken adds more depth for us up the middle,” said Mariners head coach Riley Armstrong. “He put up some good numbers in college hockey and I'm looking forward to seeing Ken at training camp.” Over four seasons at Oswego, Neil tallied a total of 122 points in 102 games (59 goals, 63 assists). Prior to college, Neil had two highly successful seasons with the Nepean Raiders of the CCHL, putting up 85 and 77 point seasons back-to-back in 2011-12 and 12-13 (60 and 61 games played respectively).

Evan Schultz (5’6, 165) signed a tryout agreement with the Mariners and will attempt to bring a local element to the team. His hometown of Durham, New Hampshire is located just an hour from Portland and sits right on the New Hampshire-Maine border. A former Portland Jr. Pirate and New Hampshire Jr. Monarch, the forward began his collegiate career with Neil at SUNY Oswego in 2013-14 but played only four games before transferring to Salve Regina in Rhode Island. With the Seahawks, Schultz averaged more than a point-per-game (77 in 71) and joined the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the SPHL for four games at the end of 2016-17. After starting last season with the Dawgs, Schultz ended up playing 45 games with the Birmingham Bulls, scoring 13 goals and adding 17 assists. “I have seen Evan skate for the past couple of summers and I feel he will push for a spot on the roster coming into training camp,” said Armstrong. “Evan sees the big picture in his development and understands that everyone is on the same level going into training camp and every spot is open for the taking.” The Mariners inaugural roster currently includes eighteen players (ten forwards, seven defensemen, and one goaltender). The full roster can be found on MarinersOfMaine.com. The Mariners, proud affiliate of the New York Rangers, will start to play in the inaugural season October 13, 2018, as members of the ECHL. The ECHL is the premier AA hockey league in the United States. Season tickets for the Mariners inaugural season are on sale now by visiting marinersofmaine.com or call toll free 833-GO-MAINE. Read the full article

[mrskelseydw]

Night Two in the "Hangar!" Thanks Dad! #hockey #pensacolaiceflyers #iceflyers #pensacola #hangar Sure hope the guys can get their heads in the game like last night!