IceGators Blow Lead, Fall to Cottonmouths
March 16, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Columbus, Ga.--The Louisiana IceGators found themselves in unfamiliar territory Sunday--on the losing side of a comeback.
The Columbus Cottonmouths scored three unanswered goals in the final 15 minutes of a penalty-filled contest to defeat the Louisiana IceGators 5-4. Jordan Draper scored four of the Cottonmouths' goals, including the tying score and the game-winner.
The IceGators return to action Friday night when they travel to take on the Huntsville Havoc. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30 p.m.
"We shot ourselves in the foot tonight and got a taste of our own medicine by being on the opposite side of a comeback," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "We were very sloppy with our puck decisions and our passing, but yet we still were in a good position and tied after two periods.
"We regained our composure and went up 4-2, and then we were undisciplined. We gave up bad, lazy penalties and gave up four power play goals."
Jeff Grant put the IceGators ahead 1-0 after scoring the only goal of the first period nine minutes into the game. Jordan Braid and Shawn McNeil assisted on the play.
McNeil added a power play goal of his own at the 2:21 mark of the second period to give Louisiana a two-goal lead. Adam Stuart and Kirk Byczynski assisted on the score.
Draper tied the game three minutes later by scoring two power play goals in 26 seconds. Jason Gray and Sam Bowles assisted on both scores.
The IceGators regained the lead by scoring two goals in the first four minutes of the third period. Stuart scored off assists from McNeil and Tanner Burton at the 2:35 mark of the frame, while Jeremy Boyer picked up an unassisted goal 50 seconds later.
Columbus cut the IceGators' lead to a goal at the 5:51 mark when Matt Gingera scored a power play goal off assists from Draper and Tom Maldonado.
Draper put Columbus ahead by once again scoring back-to-back goals. The first, a power play goal at the 14:05 mark of the period, came off an assist from Maldonado. Six seconds later, Draper scored off a feed from Bowles to give Columbus the lead.
The teams combined for 23 penalties and 58 penalty minutes..
Kaminski says his team lost because it took its foot off the accelerator late in the game.
"When you have the lead, you have to keep getting pucks deep and keep the play in front of you," Kaminski said. "You have to play smart, disciplined hockey. When you have a team down, you can't stop kicking. You have to lay the boots on them. You have to stay hungry, disciplined, and greedy for the win."
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from March 16, 2014
- IceGators Blow Lead, Fall to Cottonmouths - Louisiana IceGators
- Three-Goal Second Lifts Rivermen Past Surge - Peoria Rivermen
- Surge Comeback Bid Falls Short, Lose to Rivermen 4-3 - Mississippi Surge
- Late Goal Keeps Thunder Playoff Hopes Alive - Bloomington Thunder
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.
