Gators douse Inferno 4-3
February 23, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA-Beginning a five game homestand, the Louisiana IceGators overcame a 2 goal deficit and defeated the Columbia Inferno 4-3 Wednesday. Patrik Nilson's first goal as a Gator, at 13:48 of the 3rd period, proved to be the game winner.
Columbia jumped out to an early lead when Brad Ralph (19) scored on a 5 on 3 power play at 10:45 of the first period. Trevor Demmans and Chanse Fitzpatrick assisting on the goal as Ralph found himself all alone on the near post for the top shelf wrister. At 15:31, Steve Slaton (2) increased the lead to 2-0 on a slap shot from the right point. With Nathan Marsters screened, Slaton ripped a low shot inside the near post for the goal. The Gators struck back on an unassisted goal by Dave McCulloch at 17:25. The defenseman stole the puck and put a backhander on Rob McVicar. The Inferno netminder made a spread eagle save but the rebound was slammed home by McCulloch for his 4th of the year and a 2-1 deficit after 20 minutes of play.
The Inferno began the 2nd period by increasing their lead to 3-1. At 1:28, Ryan Campbell (10) redirected a Brad Ralph slap shot past Marsters for a two goal cushion. The Gators clawed their way back into the game via the power play. Josh Barker brought the Gators within one as his wrist shot from the right circle trickled through the pads of McVicar and barely into the net. Barker's 4th was assisted Pascal Pelletier and Mark Rooneem. Louisiana brought the game to even at the 11:09 mark of the period. Mason brought the puck up the left wing and dangled through the Inferno penalty kill unit. Mason then centered the puck through the middle to Chris Thompson, who slammed it into a virtually empty net for his 14th of the year and a 3-3 tie.
Both teams played cautious hockey to begin the 3rd period. With just over 6 minutes to play, Roger Leonard found Patrik Nilson streaking up the right wing, from the top of the circle Nilson fired a slap shot past McVicar for the Gators 3rd consecutive goal and a 4-3 lead. It was Nilson's first goal with the Gators, his 4th goal of the year and the game winner. With the win, Louisiana's record is now 19-27-4, 42 points and 5th place in the South. The Gators outshot Columbia 33-24. Power plays were 2-4 for the Gators and 1-3 for the Inferno.
The Gators next game is Friday night at 7:05pm when the Gators welcome their longtime rivals, the Mississippi Sea Wolves to the Cajundome. In six games played this season Louisiana leads the series 4-2-0. This night is " Ragin Cajun Night" with the following specials:
$5.00 Tickets for all ULL students(with ID)
$2.00 Beer for anyone over 21 years of age
Performances by the Ragin Jazz and Alumni Band.
Gators to wear special ULL Jerseys to be auctioned off after the game with proceeds to benefit the general scholarship fund.
The game will be available on 960AM "the Gator" and on the internet through www.IceGators.com. The game will be available on a videocast via the B2 network and the team website.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from February 23, 2005
- Aces defeat Toledo, 6-2 - Alaska Aces
- Gators douse Inferno 4-3 - Louisiana IceGators
- Hockey-Thon to Fight Cancer Planned - Bakersfield Condors
- $10,000 Season Ticket Holder Giveaway Planned - Bakersfield Condors
- B2 Networks to Telecast 17 of Remaining 21 Games - San Diego Gulls
- Ice Pilots Announce Subway Alumni Game Roster - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- USA Network "Ready for the Weekend Movie" Features ECHL - ECHL
- Ryan Flinn Bobblehead Night Set for April 7 - Reading Royals
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Greenville's Barch Suspended 10 Games, Fined - ECHL
- Pride Acquire Whyte from Toledo - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Lynx make a deal with Las Vegas - Augusta Lynx
- Titans Outlast Bombers, 4-2 - Trenton Devils
- Pack the House / White Out Night - Wheeling Nailers
- Bombers Road Trip Starts With 4-2 Loss in Trenton - Dayton Bombers
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Gulls Fall In Victoria, 5-2 - San Diego Gulls
- Heggie steps up for Batts - Victoria Salmon Kings
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.
