1-18-99. The Pilots Seat is commentary, written from a fan's perspective, about the Pensacola Ice Pilots
by Scott Gregory
The previous Pilots game at The Hangar had the feel of a domestic disturbance. After Sunday's game, the Pilots' third win in a row for the first time this season, there was the feel of family reconciliation, a collective group hug.
There was Al Pedersen on the postgame radio show, begging Paul Chestnutt not to kill him after skipping the show the Sunday before, and promising never to do it again. There was Chestnutt, forgiving him for that, as well as for uttering an on-air four-letter word that can be found in the name "Schaffnit."
There were the online Pilots Forum Fans -- Chris, Pete, Puckmeister, Darlene, Doug, Cleo, Fabulous One and assorted family members -- breaking pregame bread at Damon's and sharing stories and laughter. Faces to names. Great fans and great folks, all.
There were the Pilots fans who are also Atlanta football fans, celebrating the Falcons first trip to the Super Bowl. Somewhere, Pilots web guru and Falcons season-ticket holder Steve Schickel was grinning ear to ear and plotting a trip to Miami for the game.
There was ex-Pilot Kelly Hultgren, smiling, walking the stands and talking to fans, presumably either to show he was fulfilling his contractual obligations or to find out if anyone knew how to get to Miami, where he was supposed to be.
(Major Interstate directions for Super Bowl fans/Hultgren: Pick up Nick Stajduhar to share gas money. I-10 to Tallahassee. Drop off Stajduhar, thank him for past and tell him we'll never forget him. I-75 South, cross Alligator Alley, to I-95 South into Miami.)
There were the 6,416 fans in The Hangar, loud and having fun for one of the few times this season.
In the middle of the hug, there were the Pilots players, doing what we all have known they are capable of: hustling, scoring, following through on checks, fighting for the puck in the corners, crashing the net, standing up for themselves and their teammates.
During the ugliness of a week ago, Pilots vice president of operations Joe Bucchino declared he was on the warpath and that no player was safe from trades. He said we'd need a scorecard to tell who the Pilots were when they returned to The Hangar in a week.
Out: Hultgren and Stajduhar. In: Sheldon Gorski and Taj Schaffnit. On the war scale, the Nineteen Points War was more Desert Storm than the World War II we were promised.
But something has clicked. Perhaps it's because 13 players have been named assistant captain.
The trades are looking good, and the old guard is playing inspired. Among that crew, Chad Quenneville and Mike Sullivan have been showing they still have it in 'em.
After three wins, fans again are beginning to utter the "p" word. Not so fast. The mini streak has brought Pensacola to 10 points away from the 11th and final Southern Conference playoff spot. Thirty games to go, but a lot of teams to pass and a lot of ground to make up.
And Sunday's game revealed some lingering concerns:
• The lack of an enforcer. I admire Drew Rodgers' spirit, and he is getting better, but he will lose more fights than he will win. The Pilots do not have anyone who will make opponents think twice before causing trouble. Bucchino needs to get someone who can fill that role.
• The take-charge attitude. The Pilots continued to be tentative on the
power play, passing up great opportunities rather than firing away.
• Keli Corpse. Corpse picked up an assist but looked flat-out confused
much of the time on the ice Sunday, and his giveaways nearly cost the Pilots dearly. If the Pilots are to remain strong on offense and make a run at the playoffs, Corpse must emerge from his fog.
And, of course, there's the question of which Pilots team will show up for the remaining 30 games. While it's easy to point fingers at Hultgren and Stajduhar, which I heard many do Sunday, it's not fair to blame them for everything and assume all is now well.
The Pilots must dedicate themselves to making hockey a priority and playing hard for 60 minutes each night, no matter what goes on in the locker room or off the ice. Bucchino and Pedersen must be quick to discipline or move out any player who reverts to unacceptable first-half ways.
But the operative word three games out of the All-Star Break is hope. In goal, Darrin Madeley has been all over the place, even using his rump to stop a shot Sunday against the Bulls. The offense is showing signs of life. The defense is much better, even minus two veteran defensemen.
And, to top things off in the fun department, Hampton Roads coach John Brophy has been suspended for six games by the ECHL (taunting fans) and charged with assault and battery for allegedly scuffling with two security guards at the Roanoke Civic Center a week ago.
Not that anyone would think of it, but don't try to hug Brophy.
© Scott Gregory. All Rights Reserved. Gregory is a Pilots season
ticket holder from Navarre. He is a former Florida Gators football beat writer and sports editor for Copley Newspapers. He can be reached at scott@thefivehole.com. Comments are always welcome.
