A stellar performance from Ice Bears’ net minder Jason Pawloski spoiled an exceptional performance by the Storm Friday night in Tennesee. Pawloski, off a stint with ECHL Indy, made 41 saves on 42 shots.
Stanislav Dzakhov, also playing in his first game back from an extended trip to the ECHL, scored first with a one-timer on a bouncing puck to get Knoxville on the board in the first. Eric Ylitalo turned a turnover into an odd man rush and scored at 5:01 of the second period and, with Pawloski in a zone, seemed to put the game on the brink.
But with 40-seconds left in the second Tyler Minx tallied his first goal of the season to bring the Storm within one. Unfortunately the scoring stopped there and the Ice Bears were able to survive some grade-A Storm chances and win their 16th game of the season.
Quad City looks to bounce back tomorrow night; same time, same place, same teams.
