Ice Bears Maul IceGators to Sweep Series
February 15, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Knoxville, Tenn. - The terrible weekend got even worse for the Louisiana IceGators Saturday night.
One night after registering four straight goals to open the game, the Knoxville Ice Bears dominated the IceGators in the rematch, winning 6-3. Dennis Sicard and Brett Valliquette led the way with a goal and an assist each.
The IceGators' road trip continues Tuesday night with a Mardi Gras match against the Pensacola IceFlyers. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
"This was not the IceGators' weekend at all," said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "We saw glimpses of solid hockey tonight, but we also gave up too many odd-man rushes that led to goals."
The IceGators jumped out to a 1-0 lead three-and-a-half minutes into the game when Jeremy Boyer put them on the scoreboard. Knoxville tied the score at the 11:12 mark with a Peter Neal goal.
From there, it was all Knoxville.
Jake Johnston and Jarrett Rush each scored in the first 11:09 of the second period to put the Ice Bears up 3-1. Tyler Barr cut the IceGators' deficit to a goal with 8:06 left in the frame, but Sicard and Robbie Donohoe each scored in the final five minutes to put Knoxville ahead 5-1 going into the final intermission.
To make matters worse, Omicioli was ejected from the game late in the second for verbal abuse of the officials after arguing a trip that was not called, leaving the IceGators without a coach for the final half of the game.
Valliquette made it a 6-2 game four-and-a-half minutes into the third period. Louisiana stopped the bleeding when Jake Hauswirth scored with 9:20 left in the game.
Omicioli says his team will have to rebound quickly from this loss and perform much more solidly against Pensacola Tuesday night.
"We need to learn from this weekend," Omicioli said. "There is a lot we need to work on before Tuesday's game. We will get back on track and move up in the rankings."
SPHL Stories from February 15, 2015
- Ice Flyers Defeat Havoc in OT 5-4 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Rivermen Battle Back for Shootout Win - Peoria Rivermen
- Ice Bears Maul IceGators to Sweep Series - Louisiana IceGators
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