IceGators Stumble against RiverHawks
Published on March 17, 2013 under SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Augusta, Georgia--In the movie The Replacements, Gene Hackman told his team they were "very dangerous people" because they had "no tomorrow." The Augusta RiverHawks, who currently are currently the odd team out of the SPHL playoffs, proved to the Louisiana IceGators Saturday night that they are a dangerous squad. Taylor Larsen recorded a hat trick and Drew Baker scored twice en route to a 9-4 RiverHawk victory.
"I think we thought we could take the easy way and just show up," said IceGators coach Kevin Kaminski. "I told the guys that Augusta was fighting for their lives and that we had to sacrifice the body. Our greasiness and compete level were non-existent."
"We lost one-on-one battles. We got outworked, outskated, and outshot. We were awful."
Augusta scored the first seven goals of the contest. Larsen and Baker scored the first two goals within a minute of each other in the middle of the first period. Marcus Pryde made it a 3-0 game two minutes into the second frame. Larsen tacked on his two other goals a few minutes later, while Dennis Sicard (shorthanded) and Jonathan Juliano contributed goals of their own later in the period.
The IceGators finally got on the scoreboard with 1:34 remaining in the second period. Clark Byczynski picked up a goal off assists from Matt Robertson and Jeremy Boyer to make the score 7-1 heading into the final intermission.
Augusta regained their momentum early in the third period. Kyle Watson made it an 8-1 game five minutes into the frame, while Baker picked up his second goal with 5:15 remaining in the contest.
The IceGators responded nine seconds later when Boyer notched a goal of his own. Robertson and Robert Short each scored powerplay goals in the last three minutes of the game.
The IceGators must regroup from this loss quickly, as they travel to the Florida Panhandle for a Sunday afternoon contest against the Pensacola IceFlyers. Because Pensacola lost to the Mississippi RiverKings Saturday night, the IceGators would clinch the regular-season championship with a victory.
Despite this, Kaminski says his team still isn't fully prepared for the playoffs.
"This is the time of year where you persevere and fight through adversity with every drop of sweat you have," Kaminski said. "We have to play every team like they are in first place. We have too many passengers on this team. Roster spots are still available to be won."
SPHL Stories from March 17, 2013
- IceGators Lose Second Straight, Fall to IceFlyers - Louisiana IceGators
- RiverKings Win OT Thriller to Extend Streak to Six - Mississippi RiverKings
- Surge Toppled Late in OT - Mississippi Surge
- Ice Bears Handle Snakes - Knoxville Ice Bears
- IceGators Stumble against RiverHawks - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Fall to RiverKings, 4-2 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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