IceGators Beat Rivermen to Advance in Playoffs
April 5, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Louisiana IceGators Celebrate Score vs. Peoria Rivermen
(Louisiana IceGators)
Peoria, Ill.--Goliath has fallen.
The Louisiana IceGators, who battled in the last month of the season to clinch the sixth and final SPHL playoff spot, fought back from an early 3-1 deficit to knock off the top-seeded Peoria Rivermen 4-3 in overtime Saturday night and win the quarterfinal series two games to one. Chris Wilson scored the game winner at the 12:10 mark of the extra frame. Stephen Buco and Dan Cornell assisted.
The IceGators will face the Knoxville IceBears in the President's Cup Semifinals. The first game will take place Wednesday night in the Cajundome. Game time is set for 6:35 p.m.
"What a night!" said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "This is definitely one of the greatest hockey experiences I've been a part of during my career. These guys are warriors and battled until the game winner went into the net. Peoria put up a great fight, and my hat's off to them for an incredible series."
The IceGators jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 2:20 mark of the opening frame when Jeremy Boyer, on a power play, went top shelf off assists from Jake Hauswirth and Shawn McNeil.
Penalties hampered the IceGators' offense in the middle and latter parts of the opening frame, and Peoria capitalized on those opportunities.
Alex Hudson scored twice in a two-and-a-half minute span--at 13:05 and at 15:28--to put the Rivermen ahead 2-1. Jake Trask and Mike Gurtler assisted on both plays. A Steve Morra power play goal at the 16:20 mark gave the Rivermen a 3-1 lead going into the first intermission.
The IceGators launched their comeback in the second period.
Buco scored off assists from Wilson and Cornell at the 5:57 mark to cut the Louisiana deficit to a single goal. McNeil tied the game with 11 seconds left in the period off assists from Buco and Wilson.
"After the first period, we stayed positive and kept it together," Omicioli said. "We took over the game in the second period. [McNeil's] goal was a huge motivation factor for us, and I'm sure it was a huge downer for [the Rivermen]."
The IceGator defense and goaltender Scott Diebold kept the IceGators in the game during the scoreless third period. Diebold stopped 10 shots in the final frame to help Louisiana force overtime. In all, Diebold stopped 36 of 39 shots in the game.
The IceGators now turn their sights to a very familiar foe. Last season, the IceBears eliminated the IceGators from the playoffs in a two-game sweep of the opening round. This season, the Louisiana played Knoxville six times during the season--going 2-3-1 in those contests. Four of the IceGators' last seven regular season games came against the IceBears.
Omicioli says the community's support is needed now more than ever before as the IceGators continue their playoff run.
"Our focus is now on Knoxville, and we want our fans to be there with us," Omicioli said. "It's time for everybody to get on the IceGators bandwagon and be in the Cajundome on Wednesday night."
Images from this story
 Louisiana IceGators vs. Peoria Rivermen |
 Louisiana IceGators Celebrate Score vs. Peoria Rivermen |
SPHL Stories from April 5, 2015
- SPHL Announces Second Round Playoff Schedule - SPHL
- Ice Bears Secure Game 1 - Knoxville Ice Bears
- IceGators Beat Rivermen to Advance in Playoffs - Louisiana IceGators
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