IceGators Fall to Knoxville in Playoff Opener
March 28, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Knoxville, Tenn.--The Knoxville IceBears capitalized on a hot start and never looked back as they claimed the first game of the SPHL President's Cup Quarterfinals.
The IceBears scored twice in the first period en route to a 3-0 victory over the Louisiana IceGators. Berkley Scott and Peter Neal each contributed a goal and an assist.
The second game of the best-of-three series will take place Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. EDT in the Knoxville Civic Center.
"Well, this is not the start we wanted," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "I thought we played a solid first period. [Knoxville] capitalized on their chances, and we didn't. In the second period, we tried doing too much individual stuff instead of getting deep and going to work. We played with more emotion and urgency in the third period, but we couldn't find the back of the net.
"That said, we need to have much better net-front presence, and we have to have the willingness to pay the price to score and find the second chances. We need to keep our play simple, and we need to initiate the action. We have to play Gator hockey."
Scott opened the scoring at the 8:39 mark of the first period off an assist from David Segal.
Vince Perreault made the score 2-0 at 14:08 of the opening frame after going top shelf off assists from Neal and Andrew Dovey.
Neal gave the IceBears a 3-0 lead two minutes into the second period. Scott and Eric Satim assisted on the play.
Kaminski expects his team to step up Saturday night to salvage their season, and he expects them to show some tenacity in the process.
"I believe and I know we have the character and leadership to get this done," Kaminski said. "We have to stay positive and find a way to fight through this adversity like we've done all season long."
SPHL Stories from March 28, 2014
- Havoc's Third Period Forces Game 3 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Havoc Win Game Two - Huntsville Havoc
- IceGators Fall to Knoxville in Playoff Opener - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Bears Shut Out IceGators to Take Game One - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Columbus Evens Series with Big Second Period - Peoria Rivermen
- Columbus Man Handles Rivermen, Force Game 3 - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Huntsville Wins Tough Contest against Mississippi - Huntsville Havoc
- Stefan Named Easton Defenseman Of The Year - SPHL
- RiverKings Take Game 1 from Huntsville - Mississippi RiverKings
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