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Gators get one win, head into final week of the season

April 4, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


For the Week: 1-2-0

Season record: 24-39-6, 54 points, 5th place in the South Division

Leading scorers: Wes Mason 30-36-66, Jade Galbraith 18-30-48,

Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators began the week by pulling off the biggest upset of their season but could not keep the momentum, losing two games at home during the weekend.

Last Week

Tuesday, in the last game this year between two long time rivals, Louisiana used the hot goaltending of Nathan Marsters and a four goal night by Jade Galbraith to defeat the Pensacola Ice Pilots 5-3, in Pensacola. Nathan Marsters set a new team record by stopping 56 shots as the Gators also rewrote their record book by allowing 59 shots on net. Galbraith's hat trick was the first three goal effort by an IceGator this season and the first four goal performance since Bruce Richardson scored four markers against Columbus on November 23, 2002.

Friday, the Mississippi Sea Wolves scored three of their five unanswered goals in the 3rd period as the visitors overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Louisiana IceGators 6-3, in the Cajundome. After Roger Leonard scored to tie the game at one, Alex Sawruk tallied twice for the home team as the rookie from Northern Michigan lit the lamp for the first time as a Gator. The Sea Wolves rallied for the next five goals to defeat Louisiana for the 4th consecutive time.

Saturday, The Texas Wildcatters scored 20 seconds into the game and never looked back as the Wildcatters pounded their way to a 8-0 win over the Louisiana IceGators, in the Cajundome. John Snowden led the Wildcatters by tallying a career high four goals. Jason Wolfe stopped all 34 IceGators shots to earn his first shut out of the year.

The Nominees are: The IceGators nominees for ECHL of the weekly awards are center Alex Sawruk and Goalie Nathan Marsters.

The Week Ahead

The Gators end the 2004-05 season this week, playing three games in three nights leading up to Saturday night's season finale. On Thursday, the Gators host the Mississippi Sea Wolves in what might be the last game ever played between the two division rivals. In the 9 year history between the two teams, the IceGators have a 40-30-8 record against their neighbors to the east. Friday night, the Gators make their final visit to Texas, looking for revenge against the Wildcatters. In five games at the Ford Arena this year, Louisiana is 4-1-0. Saturday night, The Gators wrap up the season, finishing the home and home series against Texas. This will be "Fan Appreciation Night" with special prizes being awarded throughout the game. After the contest, the team will auction off their 10th anniversary jerseys.

Broadcast Info: ALL games the remainder of the season can be heard on 960am "The Gator". In addition to the radio broadcasts, all games the rest of the way can be heard on the internet or viewed via the B2 Network at the team's website www.icegators.com

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Notes

Award Winners: At the IceGators Booster Club end of the season party, held Sunday, awards were handed out in the following categories:

Unsung Hero: Max Fortunus, Shawn Skiehar and Chris Thompson

Rookie of the Year: Pascal Pelletier

Defensive Player of the Year: Max Fortunus

Offensive Player of the Year: Wes Mason

Team MVP: Chris Thompson

Net Returns: Nathan Marsters 56 save effort against the Pensacola Ice Pilots added his name to the IceGators record book for the third time in two weeks. Marsters is the only goalie in team history with more than 1600 saves in a season (1620). The rookie from RPI holds the record for most minutes played by an IceGators goalie in a single season by going over the 3000 minute mark on Saturday night (3020 total). Marsters also holds the record for most losses in a season by an IceGators netminder with 28 losses, just two below the league record of 30. Barring a major change in the last week, Martsers will finish the year leading the ECHL in appearances, minutes played, saves and losses.

Go to the box and feel shame: IceGators defenseman Doug MacIver had a big week going to the penalty box. In three games this week MacIver compiled 30 PIMs and is now 2nd in the league with 316 minutes in the box. The IceGators and ECHL record for most PIMs belongs to Rob McCaig who compiled 512 in 1995-96.

Going home early: With the IceGators eliminated from postseason consideration, this will be the first time in the 10 year history of the franchise that the ECHL playoffs will not include Louisiana. The IceGators advanced to 2 Kelly Cup finals, and four conference championships during that time. However, the Gators have not won a game past the 2nd round since the 1999-00 post season.

Jerseys for Sale!:

The silent auction for the white 2004-05 jerseys will continue through the Mississippi game this Thursday. At the IceGators information table, sheets will be available for the ongoing silent auction. The bidder will have to fill out a bidder's registration sheet with name/address/phone number, the fan will then be assigned a number. This will be their bidding number. All bidders will remain anonymous until the end of the auction. At the sound of the buzzer in the 3rd period of the game on April 7th the auction will end. The high bidders will be contacted on April 8th and will arrange payment either that day or at the game on April 9th. After the game on April 9th, the winning bidders will be able to pick up their jersey.

Community News

"Gator Talk" at Tampico's will return this week fior the final show of the year, this Tuesday night, April 5, at 7pm. Join Head Coach Todd Gordon and Bruce LeVine for all the fun and discussion of IceGators hockey. Special Guests TBA.

Promotions

Thursday, April 7th – 50s Night Special Guest Appearance & Performance By ELVIS !!!! Wear your 50's best for a costume contest and join us for a night filled with oldies but goodies.

Fan Appreciation Night

$10.00 Adult tickets, $7.00 Kid (ages 4-12) tickets anywhere in the building. Discounted tickets can only be purchased at Cajundome box office or for GROUP ORDERS OF 10 or MORE through the IceGators office. 10th Anniversary Jersey Auction following the game (Bidding will start at $150 - List of jerseys to be auctioned will be included in the game day program). Discounted merchandise table – The IceGators will have a table set up with giveaways, programs, posters and other collectibles from the past years that will be on sale for $1.00. Part of the proceeds from the table will be donated to the 256th Family Readiness Group. Plus, lots of t-shirts, Frisbees and other giveaways.

Individual game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now. Tickets are available at the Cajundome Box Office, and all TicketMaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.

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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.

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