By John Barker
Ledger Correspondent
The Miami Manatees defeated the Lakeland Loggerheads in WHA2 hockey action, 5-2, Saturday night at The Lakeland Center before 1,407 fans.
Lakeland showed little early game, especially when it came to protecting Loggerhead goalie Tyler Murray. It would be the Loggerheads' undoing as they failed to clear the puck several times.
"We just didn't play a sharp game out front and it cost us," said Loggerhead coach Tony Zappia.
"We were just like a glass of water tonight we were odorless colorless and tasteless," Zappia said. "There is nobody safe on this team and you can look for some changes. It was embarrassing tonight."
Miami scored two goals in the first period when Lakeland failed to play alert defense.
At 6:53 of the opening period, Dan Donnette put an easy one by Murray, who had no protection out in front of him. Tom Perry and Todd Nowicki assisted, making the score 1-0, Miami.
Ryan Kiley scored the Manatees' second goal at the end of the period.
The Loggerheads came back in the second period, when Jim Callahan scored a goal at 1:08, assisted by Garrett Dionne.
Lakeland struck quickly again at 4:42, tying the game when Matt Junkins found the net on a perfect pass by Joe Seroski and an assist by Chad Peck and it was 2-2.
Miami scored at 14:48 to make it 3-2. Nowicki tallied again for the Manatees at 15:57 and the period ended 4-2 Manatees. Donnette sealed the game with his second goal.
Web posted on Dec. 21, 2003
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