Ben is the Storey as IceGators roll
October 11, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Pensacola, FL â Defenseman Ben Storey picked up a hat trick and Derek Gustafson finished with 35 saves and took a shutout into the final 10 minutes, as the Louisiana IceGators rolled to a 5-1 victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots in the pre-season finale. The IceGators open the regular season Friday in Mississippi at 7:35 p.m., before returning to the Cajundome for their home opener against the Sea Wolves on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
"Tonight was certainly a lot different game," said IceGators head coach Dave Farrish, whose team dropped a 4-2 decision in Pensacola on Friday. "Everyone was more relaxed. Last night, we were a bit apprehensive; a lot of the guys hadn't played in this league before. Knowing a little bit about it certainly helped us tonight. It was a lot more confident group and a much more solid effort from the goaltender on out. Gus had a great game. Defensively, the guys were a lot better prepared with schemes."
Storey, who has a single two-goal game in four pro seasons, scored once in each period. Chris Valicevic is the only IceGators defenseman with a regular-season hat trick.
Rooke Anthony Bilotto scored his second goal in as many games, Alex Matieroukhine also scored and newcomer Martin Masa, signed prior to the game, had two assists for Louisiana.
Brian Eklund, who played the entire 60 minutes for the second straight pre-season game, finished with 28 saves for the Ice Pilots.
Storey got things started un assisted at the 2:16 mark of the first period, and Matieroukhine made it 2-0 after one when he scored on the power play with 5:53 left in the stanza.
Storey, assigned to the IceGators by AHL Houston on Thursday, put Louisiana on top 3-0 with a power play tally 6:32 into the second. Bilotto made it 4-0 after 40 minutes when scoring shorthanded with 1:05 remaining in the second.
The former fourth-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche finished off the hat trick and Louisiana's scoring midway through the third period with a power-play tally.
"(Storey) has some great offensive instincts," said Farrish. "He jumped into the play and he's got a great nose for the net. He had three quick ones and probably could have had a couple more." Storey had two assists in Friday's loss.
Greg Chambers scored for Pensacola with 7:18 remaining to finish off the scoring.
Louisiana, which went 0-for-6 on the power play Friday, finished 3-for-7. Pensacola was 0-for-9 with the man advantage.
ECHL Stories from October 11, 2003
- Lynx Drop 6-3 Decision To Gladiators - Augusta Lynx
- Ben is the Storey as IceGators roll - Louisiana IceGators
- Grizzlies Play Better But Still Fall To San Antonio, 3-2 - Utah Grizzlies
- Everblades Jolt Sea Wolves In Preseason Opener - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Gladiators dump Lynx in Exhibition - Atlanta Gladiators
- Grrrowl Release Six from Training Camp - Greenville Grrrowl
- Aces Felled by Last Second Goal - Alaska Aces
- Eagles Earn First Victory in Franchise History - Colorado Eagles
- Chiefs To Retire Galen Head's #8 - Johnstown Chiefs
- Wranglers Win First Game at the Orleans Arena - Las Vegas Wranglers
- IceGators add veteran winger Masa - Louisiana IceGators
- Falcons Struggle in Pre-season Opener - Fresno Falcons
- Lynx Drop First Pre-Season Game 3-2 - Augusta Lynx
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