IceGators Clinch Playoff Spot, Beat Cottonmouths
April 2, 2016 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
COLUMBUS, Ga.--For the fifth straight season, the Louisiana IceGators are heading to the playoffs.
The IceGators clinched that berth thanks to a dominating performance over the Columbus Cottonmouths. The IceGators scored three straight goals in the first and second periods en route to a 5-3 win over Cottonmouths. Jake Hauswirth and Massimo Lamacchia each contributed a goal and an assist.
The IceGators will close the regular season with a three-game homestand next week. The first game, between the IceGators and the Mississippi RiverKings, takes place Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.
Columbus took an early 1-0 lead when Chad Bennett scored a power play goal 2:11 into the game.
The IceGators woke up shortly thereafter.
Tyler Pendergrast scored off a Blake Hietala feed at the 4:10 mark of the first period to tie the game. John Daniels tacked on another goal at the 8:54 mark to put Louisiana ahead 2-1. Matt Robertson, in his first game back with the IceGators after signing with the team nearly a week ago, gave them a 3-1 lead with a power play goal 2:16 into the second period.
Kyle Shapiro cut the Cottonmouths' deficit to a single goal by scoring a short-handed goal with 3:07 left in the middle frame.
The IceGators struck back 40 seconds later when Lamacchio recorded his second goal of the year on a power play.
Shapiro struck again with a power play goal 61 seconds into the final frame to cut the IceGator lead to 4-3.
Hauswirth iced the game when he scored off a Mike Kavanagh assist with 10:13 left in the game.
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SPHL Stories from April 2, 2016
- Ice Bears Sunk by Rivermen - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Ice Flyers Thump Havoc 7-1 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Rivermen Top Knoxville 3-0 Behind Jacobson Shutout - Peoria Rivermen
- IceGators Clinch Playoff Spot, Beat Cottonmouths - Louisiana IceGators
- RiverKings Drop Weekend Finale in Fayetteville - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rivermen Game Notes April 2 at Knoxville - Peoria Rivermen
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