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IceGators get back in the win column, begin 5 game home stand

February 21, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


For the Week: 1-2-0

Season record: 18-27-4, 40 points, 5th place in the South Division

Leading scorers: Wes Mason 22-26-48, Jade Galbraith 10-25-35

Lafayette, LA – The IceGators snapped a 5 game winless streak with a 6-5 shootout win over Texas, Saturday night. For the week, the Gators went 1-2-0 and will play their next five in a row at the Frozen Swamp.

Last Week

Tuesday, playing an early morning road game in front of more than 5,000 school aged children, the Louisiana IceGators gave up two power goals, as the Greenville Grrrowl defeated Louisiana by a score of 3-1. Mark Rooneem, who was reassigned from Houston that morning, scored in his 5th consecutive game for the only Gators goal.

Friday, Playing in only their 3rd home game of 2005, the Louisiana IceGators continued to struggle, losing to the Texas Wildcatters 4-1. The line of Kevin Cooper, Kamil Kreps and Rob Globke accounted for all 4 Wildcatters goals. Jim Shepherd scored the only Louisiana marker in the 2nd period, his first as a Gator.

Saturday, For the first time in 23 games between the Louisiana IceGators and Texas Wildcatters, a game went to a shoot out, where the Gators tallied goals from Wes Mason and Chris Thompson to escape with a 6-5 win. After falling behind 3-1 after the first period, the Gators scored the next four goals (McCulloch, Barker, Rooneem, and Thompson) to take a 5-3 lead early in the third period. After Texas tied the game, the contest went to a shoot out. Nathan Marsters allowed only a round 2 goal to Globke, while Mason in round 4 and Thompson in round 5 provided the winning margin for Louisiana. Marsters stopped 35 of 40 in 65 minutes of play and 4 of 5 in the shoot out for his 13th victory of the season.

The Nominees are: The IceGators nominees for ECHL of the weekly awards are Defenseman Dave McCulloch and Goalie Nathan Marsters.

The Week Ahead

The Gators will play more games this week at home than they have during the previous seven weeks of 2005. Prior to this week, Louisiana has only played three times in the "Frozen Swamp" during the new year. In a span of five days this week, the team will host four games. All games this week are against American Conference foes.

Wednesday, the Gators begin a four game home stand with a visit from the Columbia Inferno. Louisiana is 0-2-1 vs. Columbia in 2004-05, with all games played in the South Carolina state capital. The three games have been low scoring affairs with Louisiana scoring only 3 total goals.

Friday night, The Gators welcome their longtime rivals, the Mississippi Sea Wolves to the Cajundome. In six games played, Louisiana leads the series 4-2-0. This night is " Ragin Cajun Night" with the following specials:

$5.00 Tickets for all ULL students(with ID)

$2.00 Beer for anyone over 21 years of age

Performances by the Ragin Jazz and Alumni Band.

Gators to wear special ULL Jerseys to be auctioned off after the game with proceeds to benefit the general scholarship fund.

Saturday night, Columbia returns for the 2nd game this week. It's "Scrubs" night with all workers in the medical health industry eligible for special discounts. Inferno Goalie Mike Minard is the man to watch in this game. The All-Star starter has a record of 2-0 against the Gators this season, along with a 0.48 GAA and a .979 save percentage.

Sunday afternoon, the Florida Everblades make their first appearance in Lafayette this season. Florida is 2-0-0 against Louisiana this year, winning back to back games in Estero, FL on January 28 and 29. The Everblades scored 6 power play goals during the weekend, including 5 during the last game of the series. This game will be the first 4:05pm start time of the year. As part of "Family Fun Day" we will have Bouncin' Buddies jumps available for pregame fun. There will be a postgame skate with the entire IceGators team immediately following the contest.

Broadcast Info: The games on Friday and Sunday can be heard on 960am "The Gator". In addition to the radio broadcasts, all games can be heard via the internet at www.icegators.com. All four games this week can be viewed on the web via the B2 network and the team website.

Notes

Top of the Charts: During his 4 year career at RPI, Nathan Marsters never played more than 35 games in an entire season. Through Sunday, the All-Star rookie had already appeared in 38 games for Louisiana. Marsters is the ECHL leader in minutes played (2238:14), saves (1180) and losses (21).

"Go to the box and feel shame": Doug MacIver is 2nd in the ECHL in penalty minutes with 234.

Road Warrior: Rookie Mark Rooneem currently has the league's longest goal scoring streak on the road. The Minnesota Wild prospect has scored in has last 5 road games, a total of six lamp lighters.

Feels like the first time Last week, three players scored their first goal as a member of the IceGators. Friday, Jim Shepherd's 2nd period power play tally, got him on the board as a Gator. Saturday night, Dave McCulloch scored a short handed goal to go along with two assists and a (+3) rating. The first goal of that night went to rookie D-man Paul Lynch, who scored, not only his first goal for Louisiana, but his first ever pro goal.

Community News

"Gator Talk" at Tampico's will return this week, Tuesday Night at 7pm. Join Head Coach Todd Gordon and Bruce LeVine for all the fun and discussion of IceGators hockey.

With four games in five nights, the IceGators will have a limited practice schedule. The team will hit the ice at the Cajundome Tuesday and Thursday at 10AM. All other practices will be shorter "pregame skates" taking place at 10AM on Wednesday, Fridayt and Saturday.

Project MAMA

For the entire season the Gators are encouraging fans to participate in the Project MAMA. A list of supplies needed by our local troops serving overseas is listed at http://www.icegators.com/news/?cat=1&id=627 and in the lobby of the Cajundome for during every IceGators home game.. The team will have drop off points at the Cajundome for every home game and the effort will culminate our next Armed Forces Nights on March 20, 2005. On this night, children of our deployed troops will have a special day of IceGators hockey complete with a tour of the locker room and a picture with their favorite player. That picture along with supplies will be sent to loved ones overseas. Any business wanting to participate in project MAMA by donating tickets for these families, can call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.

Individual game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now. Tickets are available at the Cajundome Box Office, and all TicketMaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.

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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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