IceGators Clinch Playoff Berth With 1-0 Shootout Win
Published on March 17, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â The Louisiana IceGators locked up their post-season spot tonight at the Frozen Swamp. The Gators hosted the Columbus Cottonmouths for the eighth and final time this season. The IceGators are 46-17-2 with 94 points in the ECHL standings. The Cottonmouths (34-24-5) have 73 points and the fifth spot in the Central Division standings. They are four points behind Pensacola and Gwinnett, who are tied with 77 points each.
Goaltending was the name of game tonight. Cottonmouth netminder Jason Tapp stopped all 30 shots the IceGators threw at him through three periods of play. Ed McGrane came the closest to scoring in the second period when he shot a blaster that clanged off the far post.
Down at the other end of the ice, Derek Gustafson earned his fifth shutout of the year when he stymied the Cottonmouths on all 30 of their shots. Gustafson made some spectacular saves including one at the second period buzzer and a breakaway by John Morlang in the overtime.
Going into the fourth round of the shootout, the IceGators trailed 2-1. Alex Materukhin skated to center ice. Materukhin walked in on Tapp, faked the goaltender out of position and roofed the puck in to the twine to even the shootout.
Gustafson denied former Gator Dan Tessier in the fifth round and Kenny Corupe jumped over the boards for his turn. With a running start, Corupe corralled the puck and streaked straight toward the net. His wrister beat Tapp and lifted the Gators to a 1-0 victory.
The IceGators welcome the Mississippi Sea Wolves to the Cajundome on Friday, March 19 for Iberia Parish Appreciation Night. All Iberia Parish residents get $2 off their tickets at the Cajundome box office. Ken Holloway, a contemporary Christian singer will kick off Faith and Fellowship Weekend with intermission performances and the National Anthem.
ECHL Stories from March 17, 2004
- IceGators Clinch Playoff Berth With 1-0 Shootout Win - Louisiana IceGators
- Bombers trip Cyclones 5-2 - Dayton Bombers
- Titans Defeat Rivermen 4-2 - Trenton Devils
- Generals fall 2-1 despite 66 shots on goal - Greensboro Generals
- Aces in playoffs after 2-1 win - Alaska Aces
- Chiefs Rally to Win In Atlantic City - Johnstown Chiefs
- Rivermen Double Up in Trenton 4-2 - Peoria Rivermen
- Wranglers Loan Magliarditi to Milwaukee - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Chiefs Roar Back, Knock Off Bullies 3-2 In A Shootout - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Kelly Cup Will Visit Lafayette On Friday, Saturday - Louisiana IceGators
- Tip-A-Condor Dinner Raises Over $7,400 - Bakersfield Condors
- Titans give a hand for charity - Trenton Devils
- LaRose Recalled to Lowell, Surma Reassigned - Florida Everblades
- Friday Games Move Up Radio Dial - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Cyclones to Host Wedding - Cincinnati Cyclones
- 2004 Kelly Cup Playoff Tickets On Sale Now - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Royals Snap Skid...Win Shootout Thriller, 4-3 - Reading Royals
- Lynx Drop 4-1 Game To Gladiators - Augusta Lynx
- Checkers trade Nick Bilotto to Vegas for Kevin O'Flaherty - Charlotte Checkers
- Checkers dropped by Columbia 8-2 - Charlotte Checkers
- Rivermen Acquire Veteran Defenseman Short from Las Vegas in Exchange for Rookie Olynick - Peoria Rivermen
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