IceGators Finally Get Win over Ice Flyers
April 3, 2016 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. - For the fifth straight season, the Louisiana IceGators are heading to the playoffs.
The IceGators clinched that berth thanks to a dominating performance over the Columbus Cottonmouths. The IceGators scored three straight goals in the first and second periods en route to a 5-3 win over Cottonmouths. Jake Hauswirth and Massimo Lamacchia each contributed a goal and an assist.
The IceGators will close the regular season with a three-game homestand next week. The first game, between the IceGators and the Mississippi RiverKings, takes place Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.
"This was one of our better offensive games this year," IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli said. "Our guys were moving the puck crisply, and they were constantly on the attack. We did a great job executing and had contributions from everyone on the bench.
Columbus took an early 1-0 lead when Chad Bennett scored a power play goal 2:11 into the game.
The IceGators woke up shortly thereafter.
Tyler Pendergrast scored off a Blake Hietala feed at the 4:10 mark of the first period to tie the game. John Daniels tacked on another goal at the 8:54 mark to put Louisiana ahead 2-1. Matt Robertson, in his first game back with the IceGators after signing with the team nearly a week ago, gave them a 3-1 lead with a power play goal 2:16 into the second period.
Kyle Shapiro cut the Cottonmouths' deficit to a single goal by scoring a short-handed goal with 3:07 left in the middle frame.
The IceGators struck back 40 seconds later when Lamacchio recorded his second goal of the year on a power play.
Shapiro struck again with a power play goal 61 seconds into the final frame to cut the IceGator lead to 4-3.
Hauswirth iced the game when he scored off a Mike Kavanagh assist with 10:13 left in the game.
"Columbus battled just as we knew they would," Omicioli said. "They fought until the end, and I wouldn't expect anything less from their organization, their coach, and their players. Their owner congratulated us immediately after the win. They are truly a first-class organization."
Although the playoffs are now a reality for the IceGators, Omicioli says his team cannot lose focus on the final three games of the regular season because those games could help them earn a higher seed in the postseason.
"I congratulate our guys for clinching a playoff spot, but we still have three big games left before we see where we sit in the final standings," Omicioli said. "It's time to focus on next week's opponents and climb the ladder. This year hasn't been the easiest for us, but we have a group of guys that are as close as they come. I love their attitude and work ethic going into this final weekend and playoffs."
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