Cottonmouths Hand IceGators Second Straight Loss
March 1, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Columbus, Ga.--The Louisiana IceGators nightmarish weekend has come to an end.
For the second night in the a row, the IceGators gave up three goals in the first period--this time, en route to a 7-5 loss to the Columbus Cottonmouths. Neilsson Arcibal led Columbus with two goals.
The IceGators return to action Friday night when they take on the Huntsville Havoc in the Cajundome. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
Saturday's game was marred by a massive brawl that broke out midway through the second period. That fight resulted in the ejection of two IceGators and two Cottonmouths. Earlier in the period, the IceGators lost Adam Stuart after he was disqualified for verbal abuse of the officials.
"Tonight started slow, but after a gutless jumping of our players, we came back and fought the rest of the game," said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "Losing three guys and finishing half the game with 11 skaters is tough, and the guys fought so hard (afterward)."
Ben O'Quinn, Arcibal, and Andy Willigar put Louisiana in a hole early, scoring three goals in a nine-minute span to give Columbus a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The IceGators roared back in the wake of the brawl.
Eight seconds after play resumed, Shawn McNeil put Louisiana on the board, scoring at the 9:20 mark of the frame. Thirty-eight seconds later, Jake Hauswirth punched in another goal to cut the Columbus lead to one.
Arcibal stepped up to protect the Cottonmouths' lead, recording his second score of the night at the 13:32 mark of the second to put his team ahead 4-2.
The teams engaged in a see-saw battle in the third period.
Nick Curry put Columbus ahead by three with a goal at the 3:43 mark.
Bret Peppler and Jeremy Boyer, on a power play, responded with goals of their own to put Louisiana within a goal of the tie.
Shawn Bates took advantage of a power play at the 11:31 mark to restore the Cottonmouths' two-goal lead.
Jeremy Boyer made it a 6-5 game with 1:58 remaining, but Bryce Williamson put the final nail in Louisiana's coffin by scoring an empty-netter with 22 seconds left in the game.
Omicioli says this week will be about making adjustments to the team and putting this lackluster weekend behind them.
"Changes are coming, and players are coming off (of injured reserve), so we will be ready to go next weekend," he said. "Anything less than four points will be unacceptable."
SPHL Stories from March 1, 2015
- Season-High Offense Pushes Rivermen to Victory - Peoria Rivermen
- Cottonmouths Hand IceGators Second Straight Loss - Louisiana IceGators
- Columbus Stifles Louisiana's Comeback, Gains 7-5 Victory - Columbus Cottonmouths
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.
