IceGators Continue Skid, Fall to Columbus
December 22, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Columbus, Ga.--The Louisiana IceGators have fallen and can't seem to get up.
The Columbus Cottonmouths posted four goals in the third period Sunday to deal the IceGators their third consecutive loss in a 7-4 decision. The defeat ends a road trip in which Louisiana picked up only one out of six possible points.
The IceGators (14-7-2) remain in first place in the SPHL. They return to the ice Friday night when they host the Mississippi Surge in the Cajundome. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
"We weren't ready or prepared to start," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "We had a great second periods of greasy Gator hockey, but otherwise, we stood around stirring soup while they skated and hit.
"Right now, we're a soft team mentally. We're giving up weak goals. We're having too many defensive zone breakdowns, too many undisciplined penalties, and bad puck decisions. We're losing the one-on-one battles."
The IceGators fell into a hole early in the game.
Jordan Draper put Columbus on the board first with a goal at the 7:09 mark of the first period. Matt Gingera gave the Cottonmouths a two-goal lead by scoring at the 9:50 mark of the frame.
Louisiana bounced back in the second period.
Jeff Grant and Clark Byczynski both scored in the first six minutes of the frame to tie the game. The IceGator run was briefly stopped by Mike Switzer, whose short-handed goal at the 12:29 mark put Columbus ahead 3-2. The IceGators responded by tacking on two more goals late in the period. Josh Duplantis scored at the 15:02 mark, while Matt Robertson added a power play goal with 19 seconds left in the frame to give Louisiana a 4-3 lead at the second intermission.
That lead was short-lived, as Columbus dominated the third period.
Will Aide tied the game on an unassisted goal 92 seconds into the frame. A Draper power play goal at the 12:38 mark gave the Cottonmouths a 5-4 lead. Gingera and Aide both tacked on empty net goals in game's waning seconds to seal the IceGators' fate.
Kaminski says his players must put their own personal agendas aside and solely focus on the organization's plans and systems.
"Everybody on this team--and I mean everyone--needs to look at themselves in the mirror," Kaminski said. "They need to ask themselves, 'Is this the best I can be? Do I sacrifice my body every shift for my fellow teammates?'
"It's all about being professional and doing what's right for the team and not worrying about individual goals. We need to demand winning ways. The two points in the standings are the only things that matter."
SPHL Stories from December 22, 2013
- IceGators Continue Skid, Fall to Columbus - Louisiana IceGators
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- Thunder Battle Back to Stop Rivermen Run - Bloomington Thunder
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