Cottonmouths Snap IceGators Win Streak in Shootout
December 12, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
LAFAYETTE, La.--For the third straight game, the Louisiana IceGators forced a game into a shootout.
Unfortunately for the IceGators, the third time was not a charm.
The Columbus Cottonmouths needed six shootout rounds to put the IceGators away and claim a 4-3 victory. Matt Gingera scored the game-winner.
The win gives the Cottonmouths their ninth consecutive victory and snaps the IceGators' four-game winning streak.
The two teams will face each other again Saturday night in Columbus. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.
"I thought we showed glimpses of our style of hockey, but overall, we didn't execute the style of play we needed to play in order to grab two points," said IceGators coach Drew Omicioli. "I thought their goalie (Andrew Loewen) played very well and kept them in the game. He gave them a chance to win."
Loewen indeed kept Columbus alive, as the IceGators outshot the Cottonmouths 37-23 in regulation and overtime.
Despite the relatively slow offensive output, Columbus took advantage of its opportunities.
The Cottonmouths scored the only goal of the first period with 3:01 left in the frame. Patrick McCadden took a feed from Kyle Johnson to give Columbus a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.
The IceGators tied the game at the 12:37 mark of the second period when Kirk Byczynski scored off assists from Chris Wilson and Adam Stuart.
The Cottonmouths regained the lead five minutes later on a Gingera power play goal. Bryce Williamson and Mike Switzer assisted on the score.
The IceGators rebounded and tied the game at 2-2 with 1:09 left in the second when Tanner Burton scored off Stuart's second assist of the night.
The seesaw battle continued in the third period.
Columbus took a 3-2 lead when Louis Belisle scored with an extra attacker on the ice. Williamson assisted on the play.
Mike MacIntyre scored a power play goal off assists from Stuart and Benjamin Rubin to knot the score at 3-3.
Despite the setback, Omicioli says his team is ready to get revenge in Saturday's rematch.
"We need to play 60 full minutes of true IceGator hockey," Omicioli said. "We didn't tonight, and it cost us a point in the standings. That game is behind us, and now we must focus on snapping their streak in their barn."
SPHL Stories from December 12, 2014
- RiverKings Prevail in OT, 2-1 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Cottonmouths Snap IceGators Win Streak in Shootout - Louisiana IceGators
- Amburgey Scores Twice in Rivermen Win - Peoria Rivermen
- Ice Flyers Earn One Point in 2-1 OT Loss to RiverKings - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- IceGators Beat Pensacola in Shootout Again - Louisiana IceGators
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