Cottonmouths Strike Early, Beat IceGators 5-4
December 15, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Columbus, Georgia--What a difference a night makes. One night after a victory in which they completely shut down their opponents000, the Louisiana IceGators gave up three first period goals in a 5-3 loss to the Columbus Cottonmouths. The IceGators fought back late to tie the game, but a Brett Hammond powerplay goal sealed Louisiana's fate five minutes into the third period. The loss drops the IceGators (11-5-1) back to third place in the league standings.
The IceGators next play on Saturday when they travel to Biloxi to face the Mississippi Surge. The IceGators will return home to the Cajundome next Sunday for a rematch against the Surge. That game is scheduled to begin at 3:05 P. M.
"A disastrous first period killed us," said IceGators Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. "We dug a deep hole, and we left (goaltender Riley) Gill out to dry. The comeback was good, but it wasn't good enough."
The first shovel in that hole came nearly two-and-a half minutes into the game. Jason Yuel scored off of assists from Kyle Johnson and Levi Lind to give Columbus an early 1-0 lead. Yuel picked up another point just a few minutes later when he assisted on Biff McNally's goal to give the Cottonmouths a two-goal advantage. Matt Gingera tacked on another goal late in the period off of assists from Jordan Braid and John Sullivan. The IceGators rebounded midway through the game, scoring three unanswered goals to force a tie. Marc-André Carre scored off a Shawn McNeil assist to put Louisiana on the board. Matt Miller picked up a powerplay goal off assists from McNeil and Carre to cut the IceGators deficit to one before the second intermission. Robert Short, assisted by Denny Kearney, evened the score on a short-handed goal early in the third. About a minute later, Columbus regained the momentum on Hammond's goal. Tom Maldonado added the insurance score with 19 seconds remaining in the contest.
"We thought we could just show up and play," Kaminski lamented. "Our mental preparation and demand to play 60 minutes has to get better. Every time we play a great first period, we dominate the game. We have to hit the ice with passion, confidence, and know the work ethic the team demands. That's what makes us successful." Kaminski added, "I feel some guys think their jobs are secure. If you don't want to sacrifice the body and buy in and do what's right for the team, then I will find guys who want to be here. Their jobs are evaluated and on the line every single day."
SPHL Stories from December 15, 2012
- Cottonmouths Strike Early, Beat IceGators 5-4 - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Bears Fall to Resurging RiverHawks 4-3 - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Ice Flyers victorious over Mississippi - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Cottonmouths Strike Early, Beat IceGators 5-4 - Louisiana IceGators
- 'Kings Rally Late, Fall in Shootout - Mississippi RiverKings
- Hawks Survive Knoxville Comeback - Augusta RiverHawks
- IceGators Blank Pensacola, Move into Second Place - Louisiana IceGators
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.
