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Baker's dozen fighting for division title

March 29, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators played three games in three nights this past weekend, posting a 1-2 record. The Gators are 47-21-2 with 96 points. The IceGators maintained their Central Division lead, though the Mississippi Sea Wolves now have 91 points and are 42-19-7. The IceGators were plagued by call-ups this past week as three players, Ben Storey, Ed McGrane and Frederic Cloutier, left for Houston to join Kevin Mitchell and Maxime Fortunus.

     The first game of the weekend saw the IceGators at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves were able to gain a two-goal lead. Konstantin Kalmikov saved the Gators from the shutout by finally knocking one past Greg Gardner with less than five minutes left in the game. Frederic Cloutier made 31 saves on 33 shots and the Gators dropped the decision 2-1.

     The Gators came back home for a two-game series against the Gwinnett Gladiators. The Gladiators came into the Frozen Swamp riding a three-game shutout streak. The IceGators made sure that streak, and their own three-game skid, came to an end. The Gladiators struck first, but Kenny Corupe evened the score before the end of the first period. Alex Materukhin had a short-handed goal and Konstantin Kalmikov flicked one into the Gladiators' empty net for the Gators' 3-1 victory. Derek Gustafson stopped 40 of 41 shots for his 27th win.

     Sunday's game proved to be not as successful for the IceGators. Despite pounding Gladiator netminder Michael Garnett with 43 shots, the Gators were unable to put a puck into the net. Gator Derek Gustafson made some key saves on 26 shots through the game, but the Gladiators were able to put up two tallies for the 2-0 shutout win.

UPCOMING GAMES

Pensacola Ice Pilots – Thursday, April 1, 2004 @ 7:05 pm – The IceGators will welcome the Ice Pilots for their final tilt of the regular season. The Gators lead the season series 6-5-2, posting four of those wins on home ice. The Pilots are fighting with Gwinnett for the third spot in the Central Division.

@ Mississippi Sea Wolves – Saturday, April 3 @ 7:35 p.m. – The division rivals will face off for the final game of the regular season in Biloxi. The Gators have posted an 8-5-0 record against the Sea Wolves in 2003-04. This season against the Sea Wolves, three games were decided by a shootout and three were decided by one goal in regulation.

PROMOTIONS

Tuesday, March 30, 2004 – Gator Talk at Buffalo Wild Wings – Join ‘Voice of the IceGators' Bruce LeVine and Head Coach Dave Farrish for Gator Talk, live at Buffalo Wild Wings at 7 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings is located at the corner of Ambassador Caffrey and Kaliste Saloom, in the Target shopping center.

Thursday, April 1, 2004 – Business Night – For the last home game of the regular season, the IceGators are offering $2 off any ticket when you present your business card at the Cajundome box office. The Gators will host the Pensacola Ice Pilots for their last tilt of the year.

Friday, April 2, 2004 – IceGators Idol – Mello Joy Coffee House, 7 a.m. – The IceGators will be auditioning singers to sing the National Anthem at the first game of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. IceGators Idol will be held at the Mello Joy Coffee House on Ambassador Caffrey Parkway at 7 a.m. The panel of celebrity judges will include IceGators Head Coach Dave Farrish and KATC's Julie Kelley.

WHO'S HOT

Derek Gustafson – The Gators' netminder is still tied for first in league with five shutouts. He is also still second in the league in goals against average with 2.04 and fifth in the ECHL with a 0.928 save percentage.

Alex Materukhin – The right wing from Kiev has posted 12 points (6g – 6a) in his last ten games. He is also responsible for half of the IceGators' short-handed goals this season, with four. The 6-1, 200 lb 22 year-old has 35 points (15g –20a) since January and has 10 multi-point games this season.

IN OTHER NEWS...

There's No Place Like Home – The IceGators have clinched home ice for the first two games of the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs. The Gators have enjoyed the home-ice advantage for nine consecutive first round playoff appearances.

Call-Up Report – IceGators playing in Houston are enjoying some success this year. Ben Storey has two assists in seven games and Maxime Fortunus has two assists in five games. Kevin Mitchell has become a fixture on the power play for the Aeros and has posted 21 pionts (5g – 16a) in 46 games in Houston this season.

Get ‘em While They're Hot – Louisiana IceGators Playoff Packages are now available. The IceGators are offering special discounts on 12-game packages for the 2003-04 Kelly Cup playoff run. Please visit www.icegators.com or call the IceGators office at 234-4423 for more information.

"Tickets for the Tenth" – The Louisiana IceGators have launched their season ticket drive for the 2004-05 season. Ticket packages are now on sale for full season (36 games) and partial season packages. The IceGators are already over halfway to their goal of 1000 season ticket deposits by May 1, 2004. Deposits are $25 per seat. Please call the IceGators office at 337-234-4423 to order your season tickets for next year.

Injury Report – Left wing Brian Herbert remains on thirty-day injured reserve. Left wing Dennis Shiryaev remains on thirty-day injured reserve. Forward Jason Hamilton remains on the seven-day injured reserve. Josh Bennett has been placed on the seven-day injured reserve.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome
Wednesday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome
Thursday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome. Pre-Game Skate
Friday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome
Saturday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome. Pre-Game Skate
Sunday: TBA

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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