KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (release) -- The Knoxville Ice Bears returned home for their fourth match-up of the season with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. A crowd of 3,212 watched as the Ice Bears dominated the game, shutting the Ice Flyers out with a final score of 2-0.

Pensacola’s Jesse Kallechy and Paul Holder returned to Knoxville for the first time to take on their old teammates. Both were traded to the Ice Flyers in February.

At 5:04 of the first period, Emery Olauson flicked the puck on goal and was deflected by Kallechy. Kevin Swider picked the puck up behind Kallechy and tapped it in for an early 1-0 lead.

The second period showed no mercy to the Ice Flyers. Knoxville goalie Kyle Rank blocked all of their shots, including holding them off for a 4 minute power play while Tyler Fletcher was in the penalty box for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Ice Bears managed just 3 shots on goal in the second period, but they maintained the 1-0 lead going into the second intermission.

The Ice Bears notched an insurance goal with 6:25 left in the third period. Mike Lane fed the puck across to Steve Wiedler who fired it on net. Olauson who was positioned in front of the net deflected the puck past Kallechy for a 2-0 lead.

Pensacola pulled Kallechy with 1:49 minutes left as they pressed to get on the score board. But the extra attacker wasn’t enough to push past the Ice Bears’ vaunted defense. Pensacola heads to Fayetteville with their third consecutive loss.

The Ice Bears will return to Knoxville’s Civic Coliseum tomorrow night, Sat. March 17, to play the Mississippi RiverKings. The Ice Bears will wear their Saint Patrick’s Day jerseys and also Fan Appreciation Night. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive team posters and all players will be available for autographs post-game.