
Gators split weekend road trip
March 14, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
For the Week: 1-1-0
Season record: 20-32-6, 46 points, 5th place in the South Division
Leading scorers: Wes Mason 27-29-56, Chris Thompson 16-24-40
Lafayette, LA â The Louisiana IceGators split a two game weekend set, winning in Gwinnett 2-1 on Friday night, then losing an 8-2 contest to South Carolina. Of the 14 games remaining, the Gators will play 11 at the "Frozen Swamp".
Last Week
Friday, the IceGators won for the 20th time this season with a gutty, 2-1 over the Gwinnett Gladiators. Despite a facing 24 shots in the first period, the visitors lead 1-0 after the first period on Pascal Pelletier's 9th goal of the sesason. Wes Mason added his 27th of the year, thirty seconds into the 3rd period, for the game winner. Kyle earned his first win since November 27 and the #1 star of the game, by stopping 42 of 43 Gladiators shots.
Saturday, the South Carolina Sting Rays scored four 1st period goals and a total of four power play goals to defeat the Gators 8-2 in the North Charleston Coliseum. Jade Galbraith and Shawn Skiehar had the lamp lighters for Louisiana..
The Nominees are: The IceGators nominees for ECHL of the weekly awards are left wing Shawn Skiehar and goalie Kyle Kettles.
The Week Ahead
The IceGators begin a 5 game home stand with four games against new opponents. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Gators will play host to the defending Kelly Cup champions, the Idaho Steelheads at 7:05pm. The boys from Idaho are fighting for their playoff lives, trailing Fresno by 6 points for the last playoff spot in the West Division of the National Conference. The Steelheads are one of the hottest teams in the ECHL with a record of 7-1-2 in their last 10 games.
On Saturday and Sunday the first international games in team history will be played when the Gators host the Victoria Salmon Kings. Saturday night will be "Guns and Hoses" night with special discounts available for Police and Fire fighters. Gametime will be 7:05pm. Sunday is Bouncin' Buddies Family Fun day, complete with pre game jumps for the kids and a postgame skate with the entire team. The puck drops at 4:05pm for Sunday's contest.
Broadcast Info: All games the remainder of the season 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. All games this week can be viewed on the web via the B2 network and the team website.
Notes
Perfect Record: With Coach Todd Gordon suspended for last Friday night's game, injured defenseman Jake Ortmeyer took over behind the bench and piloted the team to a 2-1 win. With a perfect record as a coach, Ortmeyer is stepping back into his skates and should be in the lineup for the Wednesday match up with Idaho.
On the plus side: Defenseman Josh Barker continues to be the only IceGators player on the plus side this season. The stay at home defenseman is +3, the only player with 40 or more games played as a Gator to be plus for the season.
Home Cooking: The IceGators power play is ranked 15th overall in the ECHL. But at the Frozen Swamp, the Gators are 4th in the league with 24 power play tallies in only 25 home games. Wes Mason leads the team with 6 power play goals at home, Chris Thompson has four.
Don't I know you?: This opponent for this weekend, the Victoria Salmon Kings, are the same ECHL membership that played in Baton Rouge from 1996 thru 2003. In the 72 games played between the two teams, the Gators enjoy a record of 46-18-8.
Bararuk in Boise: IceGators Center, David Bararuk, played on the Idaho Steelheads championship team last season. After spending most of the year in Utah of the AHL, Bararuk played in 15 playoff games for Idaho, scoring 14 points on 5 goals and 9 assists.
Community News
"Gator Talk" at Tampico's will return this week, Tuesday Night at 7pm. Join Head Coach Todd Gordon and Bruce LeVine for all the fun and discussion of IceGators hockey. Jim Shepherd and Paul Lynch are the scheduled guests on this week's show.
Then Gators will spend the entire week in the friendly confines of the Cajundome, practicing everyday at the Frozen Swamp beginning at 10am.
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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