IceGators Cap the Wildcatters One Final Time
March 3, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA - The Louisiana IceGators hosted the Texas Wildcatters (16-36-5) at the Cajundome tonight for the last of their fifteen match-ups of the season. The IceGators posted a 5-3 victory and are now 39-15-2 on the season and have 80 points in the ECHL standings. This ties the Gators with the San Diego Gulls for the third spot in the league.
Gator Frederic Cloutier and Catter Davis Parley made some big saves in the first frame, but the Gators were able to solve Parley on a goal from Alex Materukhin. After a flurry of shots in front of the Wildcatters' net, Max Fortunus gathered the puck on the far side of the goal and shot it out to Bobby Brown who was waiting between the circles. Brown took a wide shot on Parley that Materukhin redirected past Parley on the stick side.
At the 2:02 mark of the second frame, Armands Berzins put up his 11th goal of the year when Rod Sarich sprung Jim Vickers into the Catters' zone. Vickers skated at an angle toward the far circle and executed a blind pass behind him to Berzins. Berzins one-timed the puck from the high slot and beat Parley glove-side.
The Wildcatters were able to pull within one when John Campbell beat Cloutier glove-side on a feed from former Gator Chris Taliercio.
Ed McGrane scored his sixth goal in seven games and 15th as a Gator when Alex Materukhin cycled the puck to Bobby Brown in the corner. Brown shot the puck through traffic to the front of Parley's net, where McGrane was waiting to redirect it into the twine.
The Wildcatters pulled within one goal a second time early in the third period on a goal from Rae Metz that beat Cloutier five-hole.
Semir Ben-Amor put the Gators back up by two goals with a shot from the far circle that beat Parley from a tough angle. The puck slid under Parley's left leg pad and across the goal line. Jamie Johnson and Ben Storey assisted on Ben-Amor's tenth of the year.
Former Gator Martin Masa caught a rebound a minute and half later and put the puck past Cloutier for his 18th goal of the year and his fourth against his former teammates.
Semir Ben-Amor once again put the Gators up by two when he caught a rebound of a Jamie Johnson shot. Ben-Amor and Parley played keep-away a few times before Ben-Amor lifted the puck over the sprawling goaltender and tallied his second goal of the period.
Frederic Cloutier staved off 26 of the 29 shots the Wildcatters threw at him. Cloutier made his second straight start in goal, both coming against the Wildcatters and both resulting in wins for the Louisiana All-Star.
The Gators once again pounded Parley with 53 shots on goal through 60 minutes. Tonight's barrage of shots brings the season total to 711 shots on goal against the Texas netminders.
The IceGators will take to the road for an eight-game road trip through the Eastern Conference. They will be back at the Frozen Swamp on March 17 to take on the Columbus Cottonmouths. The St. Patrick's Day game will feature a costume contest and $2 green beer.
ECHL Stories from March 3, 2004
- Condors Raise Over $10,000 for CASA - Bakersfield Condors
- IceGators Cap the Wildcatters One Final Time - Louisiana IceGators
- Chiefs Move into a Tie for Third Place with Road Win Over Reading - Johnstown Chiefs
- Checkers Scott Meyer retires - Charlotte obtains Gregg Naumenko - Charlotte Checkers
- Ice Dogs & Gulls Swap Goaltenders - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Rivermen Announce 2004-2005 Season Ticket Pricing - Peoria Rivermen
- Community Update - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Kiser, Cameron returned to Bombers - Dayton Bombers
- Hershey Loans D-Man to Readingâ¦MacIver Acquired From Peoria - Reading Royals
- Jackson named Plus Performer of the Month for February - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gulls Community Update - San Diego Gulls
- Columbia's Schultz and Gwinnett's Jackson Named C&T Hockey Products ECHL Plus Performers of the Mont - ECHL
- Guns N Hoses - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Checkers return home on three-game winning streak - Charlotte Checkers
- Balan Recalled to Norfolk - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Aces pick up two in trade - Alaska Aces
- Cyclones Salute Local Police and Fire Departments - Cincinnati Cyclones
- KPOP To Tape Delay Friday's Game - San Diego Gulls
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Chouinard Becomes Sixth Goaltender To Appear In Both The ECHL, NHL in 2003-04 - ECHL
- Inaugural Golf Tourament Raises over $12,000 - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Rivermen Fans Win $5,000 for AmerenCILCO Dollar More Program - Peoria Rivermen
- Condors Gut Out A Shut Out - Bakersfield Condors
- Bakersfield mutes Aces, 3-0 - Alaska Aces
- Falcons Stung by South Carolina's Power Play - Fresno Falcons
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