Banfield Strikes Twice in IceFlyers' Win over IceGators
March 8, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, La.--The Pensacola IceFlyers carried their momentum from Friday night into Saturday's contest against the Louisiana IceGators.
Corey Banfield scored two of the game's first three goals to lead Pensacola to a 5-2 victory over Louisiana at the Frozen Swamp. Brett Lutes and Mitchell Good each contributed a goal and an assist.
The IceGators close their home schedule for the 2013-2014 season on Sunday when they host the Mississippi RiverKings. Game time is set for 3:05 p.m.
"I thought we came out very strong in the first period," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "We outshot them 11-3. We had some good opportunities, but we didn't score. You have to give [Pensacola goalie Ross] MacKinnon credit. He played another outstanding game tonight.
"Turnovers cost us in the second period. We seemed to sag, and we didn't stay energized. When you're short on the bench, you have to keep things simple. We did a good job preventing odd-man rushes, but they are a great speed team, and you can't keep giving them turnovers."
Banfield scored the only goal of the first period at the 7:07 mark off assists from Joshua Turnbull and Joe Caveney.
Lutes gave the IceFlyers a two-goal lead 58 seconds into the second period off assists from Tyler Amburgey and John Dunbar.
Seven minutes later, Banfield tacked on another goal to give Pensacola a 3-0 lead heading into the second intermission.
Matt Robertson put the IceGators on the board 66 seconds into the third period off assists from Shawn McNeil and Jeff Grant.
Pensacola responded with two goals--one from Adam Pawlick and a power play score from Good--to make the score 5-1 midway through the third period.
Adam Stuart scored with seven seconds left in the game to cut the IceGators' deficit to three goals.
Kaminski says his squad has to keep its play simple to end the current losing streak.
"We can't reinvent the wheel," Kaminski said. "We've been successful by getting the puck deep and grinding down other defenses. They aren't going to score from their own zone, so we have to play everything deep. We're a good cycle team, but we have to execute our systems and finish off our chances when we have them."
Kaminski also called for his team to step up its intensity several notches before Sunday's game.
"Our care factor have to rise to another level," Kaminski said. "It's as simple as that. We need the win [Sunday] before we hit the road."
SPHL Stories from March 8, 2014
- Mantha Nets Three in RiverKings' Victory - Mississippi RiverKings
- New Faces Propel Rivermen to 4-1 Win over Surge - Peoria Rivermen
- Banfield Strikes Twice in IceFlyers' Win over IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Surge Lose Physical Battle against the Rivermen - Mississippi Surge
- Ice Flyers Drop Gators 5-2 Again - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Cottonmouths Shut out Thunder for 2nd Straight Night - Bloomington Thunder
- Rivermen Strengthen Roster as Lineup Shifts on Saturday - Peoria Rivermen
- SPHL Announces Suspensions - SPHL
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