IceGators Edge IceFlyers 3-2
March 8, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
LAFAYETTE, La.--The Louisiana IceGators apparently have found their mojo.
For the second night in a row, the IceGators played with aggression and physicality not seen since early in the season to come away with a win, defeating the Pensacola IceFlyers 3-2. Jake Hauswirth scored the game-winner on a five-on-three power play after being set up for the shot by Jeremy Boyer and Shawn McNeil.
The IceGators hit the road next weekend for a two-game set against the Knoxville IceBears. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT.
"Tonight, we saw a great battle between two great teams," said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "We both are evenly matched with great forwards, solid defense, and outstanding goaltenders.
"I thought we outplayed them for most of the game. Our power play looked phenomenal. We gave up two mental lapses on which Pensacola converted. You have to give (IceFlyers goalie Max) Strang a pat on the back because he played extremely well tonight. You have to give credit for Pensacola for battling all the way."
Pensacola took a 1-0 lead late in the first period when Adam Pawlick found a hole over Marco De Filippo's left shoulder with 95 seconds left in the frame.
The IceGators rebounded early in the second period, scoring twice in the first 3:11 of the frame.
Chris Wilson tied the game when he tipped in an Adam Stuart shot at the 2:04 mark.
Sixty-seven seconds later, Matt Viola took a feed from Kirk Byczynski and ripped a shot from point past Strang to give Louisiana the lead. McNeil also assisted on the play.
Pensacola bounced back, tying the game with 3:31 left in the period when Nick Larson scored off a rebound from an Adam Pawlick shot.
Hauswirth's go-ahead goal came after he, McNeil, and Boyer cycled the puck around multiple times. The final cycle saw McNeil send the puck out of the corner to Boyer at the left point, who then fed Hauswirth at the right point for a one-timer.
"We got extremely lucky with the five-on-three," Omicioli said. "We were going for the win, so we put five forwards on ice with the aim of getting Hauswirth the puck. The guys executed, and it worked."
Omicioli says the IceGators have a renewed passion and a new mission for the final three weeks of the regular season.
"Our motto is 'playoff hockey' from here on out," Omicioli said. "Tonight, we saw playoff hockey. The hitting, the speed, and the overall play from all of the players on the ice lived up to it. I'm beyond proud of the way the team battled at the end to hold on to the win. They fought until the last second.
"(On Monday), we'll enjoy a day off, but it's back to the drawing board on Tuesday. Knoxville is a team that we owe big time after our last trip there. We're going to play playoff hockey next weekend and come back home with four points."
SPHL Stories from March 8, 2015
- IceGators Edge IceFlyers 3-2 - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Fall to the Ice Gators in Louisiana 3-2 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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