IceGators Eliminate Ice Pilots 2-1 In Overtime
April 14, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â Jamie Johnson slammed the puck into the net at the 16:41 mark of the second overtime frame to lift the IceGators past the Pensacola Ice Pilots and into the Central Division Finals. The IceGators will host the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday and Saturday at the Cajundome at 7:05 p.m.
With the semi-final series tied at two games each, the Ice Pilots made their third trip to the Cajundome. The IceGators came out flying in the first period, registering seven shots before the Pilots could get one on Derek Gustafson. Pilot Tyler Beechey opened the scoring when he redirected a shot past Gustafson at the 9:54 mark.
The IceGators took 58:06 to solve Brian Eklund, but they scored when it counted. Konstantin Kalmikov caught a pass from Jamie Johnson and shot it up to Paul Ballantyne at the top of the far circle. Ballantyne wound up and blasted the puck past Eklund's glove to even the game and force overtime.
The first OT frame was scoreless as both netminders continued to make crucial saves. The second overtime saw several chances for both teams stymied by the men dueling between the pipes.
With less than five minutes left in the second overtime, Josh Mizerek corralled the puck at the Pilots' blue line and gave it to Kalmikov, who bounced it off Eklund. Johnson was waiting by the side of the net and caught the rebound. He blasted it into the open side of the net for the overtime game-winner.
The IceGators pummeled Eklund with 85 shots through almost five periods of play. Gustafson repelled 52 of 53 shots in the game.
The Gators will host the Gwinnett Gladiators for the first two games of the Central Division Finals. Game one will be Friday, April 16 at 7:05 p.m. at the Cajundome. Game two will be Saturday, April 17 at 7:05 p.m. at the Cajundome. Tickets for both games are on sale at the Cajundome box office, or through Ticketmaster at 337-262-8686.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 14, 2004
- IceGators to face Gwinnett in division finals - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen to Host the Reading Royals Saturday at Home in Game One of the Northern Division Finals - Peoria Rivermen
- Gladiators Eliminate Sea Wolves 2-1 In Overtime In Game Five - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- IceGators Eliminate Ice Pilots 2-1 In Overtime - Louisiana IceGators
- Community Update - ECHL
- ECHL Transactions - April 14 - ECHL
- Inferno Season Ending Party! - Columbia Inferno
- Which Team's Season Will End? Watch Live Tonight. - Idaho Steelheads
- Gulls raise record total of about $232,000 in 2003-04 - San Diego Gulls
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Stingrays Tickets On Sale for Series With Florida - South Carolina Stingrays
- Lynx Near 700 Season Ticket Holders - Augusta Lynx
- Royals Lose to Nailers, 3-1...Decisive Game 5 Tomorrow in Wheeling - Reading Royals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
