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IceGators end week 2-1-0 during "Rivalry Weekend"

December 15, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


For the third time in three weeks the Lousiana IceGators faced a three game in three night weekend set.

On Friday night at the CajunDome, the Gators renewed acquaintences with their newest rivals, the expansion Texas Wildcatters. Bolstered by new additions Ed McGrane and Kevin Mitchell, the IceGators would dominate the night. McGrane, assigned on Wednesday from the Houston Aeros, started the scoring with a steal and a wrist shot over Davis Parley.

Dennis Shiryaev added an empty net breakaway and Alex Materukihin also lit the lamp in the first 20 minutes as the Gators led 3-0 on the way to a 5-2 win. Kevin Mitchell added two assists and Rod Sarich scored for the first time since returning to Louisiana.

In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, "It was like déjà vu all over again." For the third time this season the IceGators and Sea Wolves met at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. For the third time this season the Gators had a 2-1 lead with under a minute to play only to have the Seawolves tie the game. For the third time this season Derek Gustafson wins the game for the Gators in a shootout. Konstantin Kamikov kept Louisiana alive with a backhander past Sean Matile in the fifth round. Rookie Armands Berzins scored the game winner in round seven as Gustafson stopped six of seven Sea Wolve tries to seal the Gators third 3-2 shootout win this year in Biloxi.

Sunday's fireworks started just 2 seconds into the game as Jason Hamilton and Roger Maxwell squared off at center ice. The fight carried over into the penalty box, earning both players an ejection from the game. Jim Baxter of the Sea Wolves scored two goals during the last 25 seconds of the 2nd period to break open a close game as the Sea Wolves win again in the Cajun Dome 7-2.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Rookie Armands Berzins scored his first goal as a pro at the 12:51 mark of the second period during Sunday's game against the Mississippi Sea Wolves. The 19 year-old from Riga, Latvia, is the youngest player in IceGators history. To our knowledge, he became the first teenager to score a goal in the history of the ECHL. Berzins was 5th round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Quick to Score

Rookie Ed McGrane made a quick impression with the Gators Friday night, scoring at 8:56 of the first period. McGrane a rookie out of UMASS-Lowell scored on his first shot in the ECHL. McGrane is not the first IceGator to accomplish that feat. On March 16, 1996, Ryan Shanahan scored on his first shot as a professional, as the IceGators defeated the Huntington Blizzard by a score of 7-.1

Coming attractions:

TUE, Gator Talk

7-8 p.m.

Join Bruce LeVine and Dave Farrish as they recap last week's action and look ahead to the upcoming weekend. It's Gator Talk, Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on Newsradio 105.1 KPEL.

FRI, LA vs.Columbus

7:05 p.m.

Cox Media/IceGators Toy Drive continues. $2 off to a future game with a toy at box office.

The IceGators look to make it four wins in a row over the Columbus Cottonmouths. In the first three match-ups this season, defense has been the key as Lousiana has allowed only 3 goals. Ben Storey leads the way offensively with 5 points (1-4-5)

SAT, LA vs. Greenville

7:35 p.m.

The IceGators meet John Marks' Greenville Grrrowl for the first time this season. The Grrrowl has been struggling so far this season with a record of 4-16-2

MON, LA vs.Greenville

5:05 p.m.

It's the IceGators' Holiday Spectaular!Events include: Teddy Bear Toss,a visit from Santa and two post game sessions of "Skate with the IceGators"

Make sure to follow the IceGators on 105.1 KPEL-FM, and also via the Internet at www.icegators.com.

IceGators' Practice schedule:

Monday - 10-12, Off Day Tuesday - 10-12, Hockeyplex Wednesday - 10-12, Hockeyplex Thursday - 10-12, Cajundome

Friday - vs. Columbus 7:05 Saturday - vs. Greenville 7:05 Sunday - 10-12, Cajundome

IceGators' scoring streak is franchise best

The IceGators have scored in 163 straight regular-season games, dating back to a 1-0 shootout loss to Mike Tamburro and Jackson at the Cajundome on October 17, 2001. That is the longest regular-season streak in team history by 28 contests. Louisiana went 135 games without being shut out from the franchise's first game, on October 13, 1995, to a 1-0 loss at Baton Rouge on March 22, 1997. In the team's current streak, they have been held to one goal in regulation on 21 occasions.

Louisiana wins with stingy D

IceGators are 14-0-2 when yielding two or fewer goals in a game. Louisiana dropped into third place in the ECHL in goals against this week, allowing 2.30 goals per game.

They can hold a lead

In the three-year Dave Farrish era, Louisiana has dropped just five games in regulation when leading after 40 minutes. The IceGators are 114-5-4 when taking a lead into the third period under Farrish. As amazing as those numbers are, consider this: Louisiana is 50-1-2 on the road when leading after 40 minutes, with the only blemish being a 3-2 loss in Peoria on January 4, 2001 - Farrish's first season.

‘Gators power play on top

Louisiana continues to have the top-ranked power-play unit in the ECHL with 24.8 percent. The Gators also lead the league at home with 24.8 percent. However the IceGators have had a bit of tough luck on the power play during the last three games going 3-21. The IceGators have tallied a man-advantage goal in 17 of 22 games this season.

Big on Penalty Kill too

On the Acadiana Bottling Pepsi Penalty Kill, Louisiana is 94-of-112 (83.9 percent). The IceGators are now 14th in the ECHL in the category.

Community update

The IceGators will visit Milton Elementary on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Clawd and the team will appear at the Zoo of Acadiana's Safari of Lights from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Go to the penalty box and feel shame

Jason Hamilton and Dennis Shiryaev:

- In the last ten games Jason Hamilton and Dennis Shiryaev have combined for 154 penalty minutes Shiryaev (7games-64 PIMS) Hamilton (10 games-88PIMS)

During that span the remaining IceGators only have 122 PIMS

Player of the Week Nominees

Forward Armands Berzins

The 19 year old from Latvia ad quite a weekend. On Saturday night, Berzins scored the game winning goal in round 7 of the shootout in Biloxi. On Sunday, he became the youngest player in the history of the ECHL to score a goal when he lit the lamp at 12:51 of period #2 against the Sea Wolves in the Frozen Swamp.

Goaltender Derek Gustafson

For the third time this season, Gustafson won a 3-2 shootout thriller against the Sea Wolves in Biloxi. Gustafson stopped 6 of 7 shots in te shootout including 3 in a row that saved the game for the Gators. For the night "Gus" stopped 28 of 30 in rgulation and overtime play.

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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.

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