IceGators Manhandle Havoc in Home Finale
Published on March 16, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, Louisiana - The Louisiana IceGators are looking to build momentum as they head towards the playoffs. Friday night, they started that process by defeating the Huntsville Havoc 5-1. Shawn McNeil provided the spark for the IceGators, as he scored the first two goals of the night en route to a hat trick. Jason Hill provided three assists, while Brayden Metz and Sean Murray each contributed two. Goalies Jeff Rose and Dan Earles were unstoppable. Rose made 16 saves on 17 shots before leaving the game early in the third period with back spasms. Earles stopped all 11 shots he faced.
"We got off to a great start," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "I thought we skated well. I thought our puck decisions were much better, and I thought we won the battles on the net fronts and on the walls. We created a lot of opportunities." Kaminski added, "We proved that offense wins games and defense wins championships. We played stingy defense, and the offense took care of itself."
McNeil scored his first goal 26 seconds into the contest. He added his second score at the 11:11 mark of the first period. The IceGators added two more goals in the first ten minutes of the second period, one from Tyler Lyon and another--a powerplay goal--from Tyler Lyon. Barrett Brook ended the shutout when he put Huntsville on the board with just over three minutes remaining in the frame. McNeil capped off his hat trick with two minutes left in the game.
According to Kaminski, his team must now keep the ball rolling following this win. "We need to finish strong," he says. "We need to keep getting more confident as we head into the playoffs."
The IceGators concluded the regular season with a road trip. They travel to Pensacola next Friday to play the Ice Flyers. On Saturday, they head to Biloxi, where they will face the Mississippi Surge. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:05 P. M. Playoff tickets are on sale at the IceGators office. For more information, call 337-704-4423.
SPHL Stories from March 16, 2012
- Kosolofsky's Late Goal Give RiverHawks the Victory - Augusta RiverHawks
- Surge Playoff Opponent Set - Mississippi Surge
- IceGators Manhandle Havoc in Home Finale - Louisiana IceGators
- Augusta Wards off RiverKings' Comeback - Mississippi RiverKings
- Ice Bears Blank Iceflyers - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Cottonmouths, TIC Raise Over $26k for CMN - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers at Knoxville Ice Bears - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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