IceGators Blank FireAntz to End Skid
November 7, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, La. --The Louisiana IceGators have learned very quickly how to put rough patches behind them and carry on with their season.
One week after being outscored 8-1 in two straight losses, the IceGators rebounded tonight with their second shutout of the season. Marco De Filippo stopped 22 shots to lead Louisiana to a 2-0 victory over the Fayetteville FireAntz.
The IceGators and the FireAntz will face off again Saturday night in the Cajundome at 7:05 p.m.
"I thought we played a great overall game," said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "In the first period, we outshot [the FireAntz] and out-battled them, but we weren't executing with regards to scoring. We tweaked a few things in the second period, and we put a goal on the board."
That goal came at the 3:31 mark when Brett Peppler scored off assists from Chris Wilson and Jeremy Boyer.
"How we played in the third period is the style of hockey we want to play for the rest of the year," Omicioli said. "We outplayed them, out-hit them, and outshot them. I know it was entertaining for the fans, but it was even greater for us because it shows what we are capable of doing on the ice."
The IceGators provided heavy hits, indeed, as Tyler Barr and Luke Kasteel engaged in late-game fights with Tyler Sheldrake and Ryan Hand, respectively.
The biggest punch the IceGators dealt to the FireAntz was Matt Viola's insurance goal at the 12:53 mark. He scored off assists from Shawn McNeil and Benjamin Rubin.
Omicioli says that the practice his team has put in during the last few weeks is paying off, as the team is finally starting to gel.
"Tonight, you could really see the guys were working as a unit," Omicioli said. "They were disciplined. The biggest thing was that we outworked them and we executed our game plan. If we do that [Saturday] night, we'll pick up a four-point sweep for the weekend. If we do it for the rest of the season, we'll be unstoppable."
SPHL Stories from November 7, 2014
- IceGators Blank FireAntz to End Skid - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen Jump into 2nd Place with Win over Ice Bears - Peoria Rivermen
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