By ROBBY MONK
Times-Union correspondent
Thirteen was a lucky number for the Jacksonville Barracudas as they extended their home winning streak to 13 games with a 5-4 victory Saturday night over the Miami Manatees in front of 5,102 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
"Winning at home is going to be an advantage for us down the stretch and come playoff time," said Barracudas winger Klage Kaebel, who had one goal and two assists.
Derek Toninato scored the game-winner 2:55 into the final period on a rebound of Jamie Miller's slap shot. That score came less than one minute after Andrew Oke tied things at 4.
Oke's shot from the slot went over the stick of Miami's Mark Gowan. Klage Kaebel recorded his second assist of the night.
The Barracudas (22-9-1) got off to a slow start, giving up two goals in the first 32 seconds of the first period. The Manatees scored the first goal just 24 seconds into the first when the Barracudas' Jay McCabe turned the puck over to Miami's Zdnek Vanc.
Vanc passed the puck to Tom Kotsopoulis, who fired a shot that rebounded off Randy Hevey's pads. Darcy Johnson was in front and put the puck in the net. Eight seconds later, another turnover in the 'Cudas zone resulted in a Josh Liebenow goal that went high to the glove side.
But the Barracudas tied the score with two power play goals in 2 minutes. The first goal was started by a hard slap shot from Greg Capson. Kaebel, who was in front of the net, deflected the puck over Gowan's outstretched glove.
Ninety seconds later, Mark Phenow fired a slap shot from just inside the blue line that tied the game at 2.
The Manatees (18-12-3) scored once more in the first, then added a power play goal early in the second before the Barracudas' defense shut them down.
Miami had two 5-on-3 chances, but could not convert either. The Manatees, who had been scoring on 20 percent of their power play opportunities, were 1 for 8 against the 'Cudas.
"The guys worked hard, and when it's 5-on-3 that's all you can do," said Hevey, who made 38 saves in the win.
Jacksonville scored at 17:23 of the second period to close the the gap to 4-3. Chad Gromek pushed a rebound of Phenow's shot from the high slot, which went over the head of a sprawling Gowan.
The win keeps the Barracudas three points ahead of Orlando in the WHA2. The Seals defeated Lakeland 4-3 in overtime Saturday night.
Jacksonville plays today in Orlando, where it has not won since Dec. 14, 2002.
Web posted on Feb. 1, 2004
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