'Cudas win, move into tie for first

'Cudas win, move into tie for first

By JASON SCHNEIDER The Times-Union The Jacksonville Barracudas' players wouldn't say it bothered them that the only team they lost to this season was the Miami Manatees, but it showed in their play Saturday night. The Barracudas outworked the Manatees at nearly every aspect of the game, beating Miami 5-3 to move into first place in the WHA2 in front of 4,147 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Alabama later beat Orlando 1-0 in a shootout to move into a tie with Jacksonville. Coming off a 7-4 win over Macon Thursday night, the 'Cudas (6-2) played with more confidence and rhythm than they had in previous games against Miami. The Manateesoutscored Jacksonville 11-4 in two previous meetings. "We were more relaxed tonight," Barracudas coach Ron Duguay said. "When you're playing against a good club, you're pressing, but tonight it seemed that the bounces went our way." Jacksonville jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a short-handed goal from Chris Hackett and an even-strength goal from Derek Toninato. Miami (5-3-1) tied the game late in the first period, scoring two goals a minute apart, but Toninato's second goal put Jacksonville back on top. "The last two times [Miami] got out to quick leads on us and that really hurt us," Jacksonville left winger Klage Kaebel said. "Getting that first goal is really important because it really gets the crowd and momentum going." Miami tied the game at 3 early in the third period, but Kaebel scored twice within a five-minute span to seal the win for Jacksonville. "We're starting to jell together," Jacksonville captain Neil Wilkinson said. Jacksonville plays tonight at Lakeland and the team's next home game is against Alabama at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. Web posted on Dec. 7, 2003		Home News Schedule Photos Links Message Board Email: [email protected] This article is copyright 2003 by the Jacksonville Union-Times and is used for informational purposes only.

By JASON SCHNEIDER
The Times-Union

The Jacksonville Barracudas' players wouldn't say it bothered them that the only team they lost to this season was the Miami Manatees, but it showed in their play Saturday night.

The Barracudas outworked the Manatees at nearly every aspect of the game, beating Miami 5-3 to move into first place in the WHA2 in front of 4,147 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Alabama later beat Orlando 1-0 in a shootout to move into a tie with Jacksonville.

Coming off a 7-4 win over Macon Thursday night, the 'Cudas (6-2) played with more confidence and rhythm than they had in previous games against Miami. The Manateesoutscored Jacksonville 11-4 in two previous meetings.

"We were more relaxed tonight," Barracudas coach Ron Duguay said. "When you're playing against a good club, you're pressing, but tonight it seemed that the bounces went our way."

Jacksonville jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a short-handed goal from Chris Hackett and an even-strength goal from Derek Toninato.

Miami (5-3-1) tied the game late in the first period, scoring two goals a minute apart, but Toninato's second goal put Jacksonville back on top.

"The last two times [Miami] got out to quick leads on us and that really hurt us," Jacksonville left winger Klage Kaebel said. "Getting that first goal is really important because it really gets the crowd and momentum going."

Miami tied the game at 3 early in the third period, but Kaebel scored twice within a five-minute span to seal the win for Jacksonville.

"We're starting to jell together," Jacksonville captain Neil Wilkinson said.

Jacksonville plays tonight at Lakeland and the team's next home game is against Alabama at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.

Web posted on Dec. 7, 2003

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