Sports stats



First-place \'Gators push unbeaten streak to seven

December 2, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Week in review: LA 6, PEN 3; LA 4, MIS 3; LA 3, MIS 0

Louisiana won all three games last week, pushing its unbeaten in regulation streak to seven games (6-0-1) and claiming the best record in the Southern Conference. The IceGators beat Pensacola impressively on Thanksgiving night, earned a one-goal win against Mississippi on Friday, then went on the road to hand the Sea Wolves a 3-0 shutout Saturday evening.

Saturday, Frederic Cloutier made 25 saves for his eighth career shutout, and Shawn McNeil and Kenny Corupe scored 58 seconds apart in the second period. The win gave the IceGators, 5-1-0 this season against Mississippi, a three-point Southwest Division lead over the Sea Wolves.

Greg Gardner was magnificent in net for Mississippi, making 40 saves, but the IceGators had too much firepower.

Bruce Richardson also scored and Cloutier (10-3-3), who tied an ECHL record last season with seven shutouts, earned his first since last March 28, a 4-0 win in Baton Rouge. The second-year netminder made four saves in the first period, 10 in the second and 11 in the third. Cloutier helped turn aside all eight Mississippi power plays on the night, as the Sea Wolves dropped to 2-for-38 with the man advantage against Louisiana this season.

Friday, Daniel Goneau registered a goal and two assists and Tony Tuzzolino scored his fourth goal in two games, as the IceGators held on to beat the Sea Wolves 4-3 at the Cajundome, to move into first place in the Southwest Division.

Kevin Mitchell and Nathan Rempel also scored and Kyle Kettles stopped 23 shots for the IceGators. Dave Paradise, Travis Lisabeth and Jim Baxter each had a goal for Mississippi, which rallied from a three-goal deficit to get within one.

Thursday at the Cajundome, Tony Tuzzolino recorded his first career hat trick and Cloutier turned aside a season-best 37 shots, as Louisiana drew away from the Pensacola Ice Pilots, 6-3.

Richardson, Shawn Skiehar and Rempel also scored for Louisiana, which avenged a 6-1 loss at Pensacola earlier this month. J. P. Morin picked up a career-best three assists and Goneau added two helpers.

Tuzzolino recorded his fourth career multi-goal game in 314 contests and tied a career-high with three points, the fifth time he has accomplished the feat.

Pankewicz scored a pair of goals, Josh Harrold added one and Maxime Gingras made 27 saves for the Ice Pilots.

Coming attractions:

FRI, LA vs. ARK, 7:05 p.m.

The RiverBlades have given the IceGators trouble this season, as the teams have split four games, including an overtime win by Arkansas and a shootout win by Louisiana. Arkansas enters the week trailing the IceGators by four points for first place in the Southwest Division.

SAT, LA vs. ARK, 7:05 p.m.

"Toys for Tots Teddy Bear Toss", "Protect and Serve Night"

The IceGators ask everyone to bring in a new teddy bear or other stuffed animal to throw on the ice after the IceGators score their first goal. Also, it's "Protect and Serve Night" as the IceGators honor those who protect Acadiana, Louisiana, the United States and the world. Call the IceGators office at 234-4423, to book your Protect and Serve group now.

SUN, LA at MIS, 5:05 p.m.

The IceGators swept a home-and-home from the Sea Wolves over the weekend, and Mississippi's out for revenge in the team's seventh meeting this season. Louisiana is 5-1-0 against the Sea Wolves this season, including a 3-1-0 mark in Biloxi.

IceGators lend a helping hand - Wednesday afternoon, the IceGators will participate in the annual FoodNet Food for Families drive at the Cajundome. Acadiana's largest food drive has dropoff locations in eight different parishes. Plan on dropping off your non-perishable food items, baby supplies, etc., Wednesday. Maybe you'll even get to have an IceGator collect them!

Offensively potent - The IceGators scored at least six goals in three straight games (Nov. 23, 24 and 28) for just the fourth time in franchise history and for the first time since March 16-19, 1999, a span of more than three seasons.

Goneau hits milestone - Daniel Goneau's goal in Friday night's first period was the 250th point of his pro career.

The Cloutier they're used to seeing - Frederic Cloutier picked up his eighth career shutout and first of the season Saturday against Mississippi. It marked his first whitewashing since last March 28, a 4-0 win over Baton Rouge. Cloutier owns eight of the IceGators' 23 shutouts in team history. Coming into last season, Louisiana had 12 shutouts in franchise history. Counting Cloutier's seven and Marc Magliarditi's three last season, the IceGators have 11 in the past 1 ½ seasons. Cloutier entered the season 2-2-0 with a 2.93 goals against average against Mississippi, but has stood strong this season against the Sea Wolves, going 4-1-0 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. Cloutier is unbeaten in five games (4-0-1) since getting pulled after two periods of a 6-1 loss at Pensacola on November 15.

No wonder 'Gators are streaking - There isn't a hotter -- or more experienced -- line in the ECHL than Louisiana's trio of Bruce Richardson, Daniel Goneau and Tony Tuzzolino. During the IceGators' 6-0-1 unbeaten streak, the trio has combined for 41 points (15g, 26a). Richardson and Tuzzolino have the IceGators' two hat tricks this season. The line has combined for for 996 career professional games and 558 points (228g, 330a).

Goneau helping out - Daniel Goneau is in the midst of a career-best seven-game assist streak, with 14 assists in that span. Goneau has done the majority of the damage the last five games, notching 12 assists, including a career-high tying four helpers Nov. 23 against Columbus. Goneau's 30 points are second on the team, one behind Bruce Richardson, and his 22 helpers are one ahead of Kevin Mitchell for the team lead. Goneau's favorite players to help out are Bruce Richardson (six assists) and Tony Tuzzolino (five). Goneau, who has assisted on five of Tuzzolino's six goals with the IceGators, has recorded an assist on goals by eight different players this season. Goneau has at least one point in 11 of his last 12 games and is just four assists shy of his career-high of 26, set in the 1997-98 campaign with AHL Hartford. That season Goneau also picked up his career-high in points with 47.

Kvetan matches career-high - There's no doubt that one of the most improved players on the IceGators roster this season is Branislav Kvetan, who has already matched last season's totals of one goal and four assists after playing in just 21 games this season. Kvetan, who assisted on Kenny Corupe's second period goal Saturday night, is two helpers shy of his career-high of six, set in his rookie season of 2000-01 with Birmingham.

Doing their best work while shorthanded - The IceGators yielded eight power play opportunities in Saturday's 3-0 win in Mississippi. Louisiana ranks 12th in the ECHL in penalty killing, but amazingly the IceGators are 7-0-2 when allowing eight or more power play opportunities.

Audio now archived - Fans, now you can visit the live audio link at www.icegators.com for archived games.

Player of the Week Nominees

Right wing Tony Tuzzolino -
Had six points (4g, 2a) and was a plus-seven in leading IceGators to 3-0-0 record...Recorded first career hat trick, including game-winner and a shorthanded goal, in Thursday's 6-3 win over Pensacola... Picked up goal and assist in 4-3 win over Mississippi on Friday...Assisted on Bruce Richardson's third-period goal in 3-0 road win over Mississippi on Saturday...In midst of career-best six-game point streak (6g, 5a).

Goaltender Frederic Cloutier -
Went 2-0-0 with a shutout, a 1.50 goals against average and a sparkling .954 save percentage last week...Thursday, made season-high 37 saves in 6-3 win over Pensacola...Earned first shutout of season and eighth of career by stopping 25 shots in Saturday's 3-0 road win over Mississippi...Made 21 saves over the final two periods against the Sea Wolves...Is 10-3-3 with a 3.01 gaa and .897 save pct. this season.

IceGators' Practice schedule:
Monday - TBA
Tuesday - 10-11:30, Cajundome
Wednesday - 10-11:30, Cajundome
Thursday - 10-11, Cajundome
Friday - 10-11, Cajundome, vs. ARK 7:05
Saturday - 10-11, Cajundome, vs. ARK 7:05
Sunday - TBA, at MIS 5:05

Don't forget to watch Chomp Time, the weekly television show dedicated to the Louisiana IceGators. Andy Davis hosts Chomp Time, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on Fox-15.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from December 2, 2002


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.

Other Recent Louisiana IceGators Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central