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Gators look for turnaround in 2005

January 3, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


For the Week: 1-3-0

Season record 14-13-3, 31 points, 5th place in the South Division

Leading scorers Wes Mason 15-15-30, David Bararuk 8-15-23

Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators went 1-3 during the last week of 2004, falling to 5th place in the South Division. The IceGators will take their act on the road for 10 of their next 11 games. The only contest to be played at home during the month will be on January, 14 when the Gators host the Mississippi sea Wolves on NASCAR night. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car will be at the Cajundome on display for pictures and other memorabilia will be given away as part of the promotion.

Last Week

Wednesday: The first meeting in the history of the Louisiana IceGators and Reading Royals was decided by 3 second period goals as the Royals extended their road unbeaten streak to 10 games with a 6-3 victory in the Cajundome. Ryan Kinasewich and Jeff Miles each tallied two goals and two assists for the Royals. Max Fortunus had a goal and an assist for the IceGators.

Thursday: The Texas Wildcatters snapped a 10 game winless streak, upending the Gators 2-1 in Beaumont. Ryan Fultz and Terry Marchant scored 2nd period goals to pace the win. Dan Sullivan's third period marker was the only Gator score of the evening.

Friday: The Gators wrapped up 2004 with an impressive, 3-1, New Year's Eve victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots. It was a night for the defensemen as Randy Dagenais scored twice and Chris Heid also lit the lamp for Todd Gordon's club. Louisiana stopped all 10 Pensacola power plays to earn their 3rd victory of the year over the Pilots.

Sunday: The Gators began 2005 with a wild 7-5 loss to the Sea Wolves in Biloxi. The blueliners led the offensive attack as Dagenais and Heid each had three point nights. It would not be enough, as Anthony Battaglia scored 2 goals, including a short handed, tie breaking goal, late in the 2nd period to change momentum and the game. Five other Mississippi players lit the lamp as the Sea Wolves moved ahead of Louisiana into 4th place in the division.

The Nominees are: The IceGators nominees for ECHL of the weekly awards are Defenseman Randy Dagenais and Goaltender Nathan Marsters.

The Week Ahead

The IceGators play three games in three days this week beginning with a two game set starting Friday night in Pensacola at 7:05pm. Louisiana will wrap up this weekend with a Sunday afternoon affair with the Augusta Lynx at 3:05pm.

Broadcast Info All games this week can be heard on 960am "The Gator". In addition to the radio broadcasts, all games can be heard via the internet at www.icegators.com. The two Pensacola games will have a video webcast available through the B2 Network and IceGators.com.

Notes

Defense turns Offensive

During the last two games, the IceGators offense has been led by two defensemen. The pairing of Randy Dagenais and Chris Heid has been explosive, accounting for five points apiece. Dagenais scored twice against Pensacola and then added three assists in Mississippi on Sunday.The 2nd year D-man out of Union College is 3rd on the team with 21 points (6-15-21). Heid scored his first IceGators goal, the game winner, and an assist on Friday and then added a goal and two assists in Biloxi.

Bararuk Breaks Through

David Bararuk has been the IceGators leading offensive threat over the last four games. Since returning from a neck injury, the Dallas Stars prospect has 6 points. Bararuk tallied a power play goal Wednesday vs. Reading, 3 assists against Pensacola and a goal and assist against the Sea Wolves. Bararuk is now the 2nd leading scorer on the Gators with 23 points (8-15-23)

Sullivan's Scoring Touch

Prior to this season, the most goals Dan Sullivan has scored in a season for one team has been four. In only 7 games as an IceGator, the rugged winger has scored 3 goals, including two last week, Thursday in Texas and Sunday in Biloxi.

Gators waive D-Man

Prior to Sunday's game, the Gators announce that defenseman Troy Smith had been put on waivers by the team. Smith, a 26 year old rookie, had one goal and one assist in 27 games as an IceGators.

Gator Talk Returns "Gator Talk" returns tomorrow at 7pm LIVE from Tampico's Restaurant and Cantina" Join Todd Gordon and Bruce LeVine for all the fun. Tomorrow's guests will be right wing Dan Sullivan and defenseman Max Fortunus

Community News: Practice Schedule

The IceGators players will practice this week at the Hockeyplex in Carencro. Practice times for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday have not been set. The team will leave for a week long road trip after practice on Thursday afternoon.

Project MAMA

For the entire season the Gators are encouraging fans to participate in the Project MAMA. A list of supplies needed by our local troops serving overseas is listed at http://www.icegators.com/news/?cat=1&id=627 and in the lobby of the Cajundome for during every IceGators home game.. The team will have drop off points at the Cajundome for every home game and the effort will culminate our next Armed Forces Nights on March 20, 2005. On this night, children of our deployed troops will have a special day of IceGators hockey complete with a tour of the locker room and a picture with their favorite player. That picture along with supplies will be sent to loved ones overseas. Any business wanting to participate in project MAMA by donating tickets for these families, can call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.

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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