IceGators Beat RiverKings to Snap Losing Streak
March 10, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LouisianaFor the first time in several weeks, the Louisiana IceGators played like playoff contenders. From the very beginning of the contest, the IceGators dominated the Mississippi RiverKings en route to a 3-2 victory. The win ends Louisiana's five-game losing streak--a skid that took dropped them from fourth place to sixth in the SPHL standings. Goalie Jeff Rose, who the IceGators acquired from the RiverKings Thursday, made a spectacular debut in the black and green. He stopped 27 of 29 shots from his former team.
"We obviously gave a much better effort tonight," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "We played with some life, emotion, and passion. I thought we were physical. We finished our checks, and we had two great fights from (Sean) Murray and (Ryan) Pearson. I thought we moved the puck better. We were skating well. We made things happen tonight." Kaminski also had high praise for his new goalie. "I thought Rose came in and played exceptional," he remarked. "Those two goals weren't his fault. He made some big, timely saves for us."
Louisiana jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back. Pearson scored his first goal for the IceGators on a powerplay just after the eight-minute mark. August Aiken tacked on another less than two minutes later. Mississippi cut the lead to a goal when a Mark Magnowski shot deflected off of Matt Whitehead and into the net. The IceGators would regain the two-goal advantage midway through the second thanks to Tyler Lyon's thirteenth goal of the year. Mississippi scored once more in the contest when a Leland Fidler shot was deflected off of an IceGator and into the goal. However, strong play by the IceGator defense prevented the RiverKings from mounting a comeback.
Kaminski thinks his message is finally starting to sink in with his players. "It's a matter of character," he said. "It's 18 guys going to war for each other and sacrificing their bodies. They did that tonight. Look at the results. We looked like an inspired team. That's how it's going to have to continue to be from here."
The IceGators and the RiverKings will face off once more Tuesday night. That game, which is the final regular season meeting between the two teams, will take place Tuesday night in the Cajundome. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 P. M. Ticket prices start at $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
SPHL Stories from March 10, 2012
- RiverHawks Edged by the Cottonmouths - Augusta RiverHawks
- IceGators Beat RiverKings to Snap Losing Streak - Louisiana IceGators
- Louisiana Knocks off Mississippi; Holds Onto Sixth Place - Mississippi RiverKings
- FireAntz Burn Ice Flyers 6-4 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers Vs. Fayetteville FireAntz - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- IceGators Stumble in Loss to Surge - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Extinguish FireAntz 5-2 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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.
