Boxing Day Blues
December 26, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette LA. Playing their first game back from the Christmas break, the Louisiana IceGators gave up two goals 18 seconds apart in the 2nd period, falling to the Pensacola Ice Pilots 3-1 Sunday night in the Cajundome.
The Ice Pilots took a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play as Nick Lindberg scored the only goal of the period. At 3:58 Lindberg caught a Ryan O' Keefe shot from the point on his backhand, cut across the middle and slid the puck past Nathan Marsters for his 6th of the season and 1-0 Ice Pilots advantage.
The 2nd period was difference in the game as Pensacola took a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. The Lousiana faithful found something to cheer about when IceGators rookie Roger Leonard scored his first pro goal at 5:30 tying the game at 1-1. Leonard crashed the net, picked up a loose puck and and jammed it home past Frederic Cloutier for his first lamp lighter, as Max Fortunus and Mark Rooneem assisted on the play. From there the game was changed in a matter of seconds as Pensacola scored twice in 18 seconds to take over. At 11:47, with a 4 on 3 power play, Tyler Beechey's wrist shot from the slot beat Martsers for a 2-1 Pensacola lead. It was Beechey's 12th of the season. 18 seconds later, Ryan Vince picked up a bouncing puck at center ice and scored his 7th of the year, a break away goal at 12:05 to give the Pilots a 3-1 advantage.
The third period was scoreless as the Gators could not get anything past an air tight Pensacola defense and a sharp Frederic Cloutier. With the loss, Louisiana falls to 13-10-3 (29 points) and remains in 4th place in the South Division. Louisiana was out shot by Pensacola 33-23. The Gators were 0-2 on the power play, Pensacola was 1-4.
Coming Up-
Wednesday, December 29 vs. Reading Royals The IceGators will have visitors from the North on when theReading Royals make the first visit in team history to the Cajundome. The Royals do have a couple of familiar faces, as they are coached by former Jackson Bandits Head Coach Derek Clancey. Russ Holden was the IceGators Equipment Manager last season, he returns with the same job for the Royals.
ECHL Stories from December 26, 2004
- Gladiators Burnded by Inferno, 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Grrrowl Down Pride 2-1 - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Boxing Day Blues - Louisiana IceGators
- Sea Wolves Stymie Wildcatters 4-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Augusta wind blows in Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Bombers Back On The Winning Track - Dayton Bombers
- Rivermen Nipped in Dayton 2-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- Left wing/defenseman Jerant Reassigned from Worcester - Peoria Rivermen
- Lynx King Checkers 5-4 - Augusta Lynx
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