IceGators fall 5-4
February 7, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Fayetteville, N. C.-Everything that could go wrong went wrong tonight for the Louisiana IceGators.
Illness, injury, and a lack of success on special teams doomed the IceGators, who fell 5-4 to the Fayetteville FireAntz. Corey Tamblyn led the FireAntz, recording a hat trick in the contest. The IceGators went 0-7 on the power play, giving up two short-handed goals in the process.
Louisiana returns to the road next weekend for a two-game set against the Knoxville Ice Bears. The first game of the series is set for Friday at 7:35 p.m. EST.
"Although we lost tonight, I have nothing bad to say about my team," said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "I'm proud of the way they battled. We were hit by a nasty flu bug, and multiple players couldn't keep their fluids down. We also have a defenseman who requires a shot in his foot.
"Three minutes into the game, our top forward, (Jake) Hauswirth, was hit in the face with a stick and required medical attention. Hauswirth would be unable to finish the rest of the first period.
Fayetteville jumped out to a 2-0 lead five minutes into the second period after a Tamblyn short-handed goal and a Matt Robertson full-strength score.
Adam Stuart put the IceGators on the board at the 11:34 mark of the frame off an assist from Jordan Ciccarello.
The teams exchanged goals to end the period, with John Clewlow and Jeremy Boyer scoring in the final five minutes of the frame to make the score 3-2 going into the last intermission.
Tamblyn put Fayetteville ahead by two when he scored at the 3:28 mark of the third period off a feed from Josh McQuade.
The IceGators responded seven minutes later with an Adam Stuart score.
Tamblyn scored his third goal of the night with 5:59 left in regulation. McQuade also assisted on the play.
Bret Peppler put the IceGators within a goal when he scored with an extra attacker on the ice with 52 second left in the game. However, the comeback attempt fell short, as Fayetteville held on for the victory.
Omicioli says he will not hang his head after this loss because of how his team fought through adversity.
"I'm proud of our guys for battling the way they did," Omicioli said. "They didn't deserve the outcome they got tonight."
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SPHL Stories from February 7, 2015
- Ice Bears Split Weekend with Cottonmouths - Knoxville Ice Bears
- RiverKings Run Winning Streak to Six - Mississippi RiverKings
- IceGators fall 5-4 - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen Alone in 1st After Split - Peoria Rivermen
- IceGators Appealing Loss to FireAntz - Louisiana IceGators
- 3-2 Loss for Ice Flyers in Southaven vs. RiverKings - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Knoxville Uses Shootout to Best Columbus, 2-1 - Columbus Cottonmouths
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