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IceGators Lead Division By Four Points

February 23, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators started their week against Pacific Division powerhouse San Diego and finished it against their border rival Texas. The IceGators finished with 2-1 record over the last seven days and have a 36-14-2 season record, with 74 points. They lead the Mississippi Sea Wolves by four points in the Central Division standings.

The IceGators hosted the San Diego Gulls last Monday in a match-up of division leaders. The Gulls had leapt into first place in the Pacific Division. Derek Gustafson made his seventh-straight start in goal for the Gators and made some spectacular saves to lead Louisiana to a 2-1 overtime win. The first period was scoreless, but highlighted by stellar netminding at both ends of the ice. Semir Ben-Amor broke open the scoreless lock with his eighth goal of the year early in the second period. Jamie Johnson and Ben Storey earned assists on the goal. The Gulls came back to tie up the game at one-all and force overtime. With 1:11 left on the clock in the extra frame, Ed McGrane put a backhand wrister past Trevor Koenig for the game-winner.

The IceGators traveled to Columbus, Georgia to take on the Cottonmouths last Friday. The game remained scoreless through two and half periods before Ed McGrane put a short-handed goal past Jason Tapp. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Cottonmouths came back and scored two goals within 1:02. The ‘Mouths were able to maintain their one-goal cushion and skate away with a 2-1 win and two points in the standings.

Sunday saw the IceGators at Ford Arena in Beaumont for their 13th two-step with the Wildcatters. Ben Storey tied the game at one-all with his 15th goal of the year, one of his classic blasters-from-the-blue-line that beat Davis Parley low to the glove side. Jason Hamilton and Jim Vickers assisted on the tally. Early in the second frame, Alex Materukhin hit Parley in the logo and the puck bounced out on to the stick of Ed McGrane. McGrane deflected the puck past a startled Parley for the go-ahead goal. Bobby Brown put his 29th goal of the year on the board in the third period, when he caught a pass from McGrane who was tangled up with the ‘Catters defender. Brown wristed the puck top-shelf into the twine for the two-goal cushion. Alex Materukhin also assisted on the lamp-lighter.

UPCOMING GAMES

Mississippi Sea Wolves – February 27, 2004 @ 7:05 pm – The IceGators host their arch-rival for their eleventh tilt this season. Mississippi trails the Gators by four points in the Central Division standings with 68. The Gators lead the season series 7-3.

@ Pensacola Ice Pilots – February 28, 2004 @ 7:05pm – The team from Lafayette will travel to Pensacola for their 12th face-off against the Ice Pilots. On Valentine's Day, the Gators beat the Pilots at the Hangar 4-2. The Gators lead the season series 5-3-2.

Texas Wildcatters – February 29, 2004 @ 4:05pm – The Gators played their last game in Texas on Sunday and will host the Wildcatters at the Frozen Swamp next Sunday. The team from Texas has faced the Gators 13 times this season, with the Gators leading the series 11-2.

PROMOTIONS

Friday, February 27, 2004 – Lafayette Appreciation Night/College Night 2/$2 Beer: All residents of Lafayette Parish will receive a $2 discount at the Cajundome box office. All students with a valid college ID will get $5 tickets at the Cajundome box office. Sixteen ounce beers will be $2.

Sunday, February 29, 2004 – SpongeBob SquarePants: Cox Media's Kid's Sunday Spectacular presents an appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants. Patrick's best friend will spend the game greeting fans at various locations around the Cajundome. SpongeBob's schedule will be available on the Gator Bites game day program. All kid's tickets are $5 for any seat in the building.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Thursday, February 26, 2004 – A French-speaking IceGator will visit Myrtle Elementary School, a French immersion school.

WHO'S HOT

Ed McGrane – The Player of the Week nominee has three goals in his last three games, including the OT game winner against the San Diego Gulls on February 16 and the game-winner against the Texas Wildcatters on February 22. The rookie center also tallied a short-handed goal against the Columbus Cottonmouth on February 20. McGrane has 31 points (12g – 19a) in 27 games with the IceGators.

Derek Gustafson – The IceGators netminder started eight straight games, between February 3 and February 20. Gustafson went 5-3 in that span, posting a 0.914 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average. He is also third in the ECHL overall, with a 0.922 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average.

Brian Herbert – The IceGators' new color commentator has done an excellent job as a complement to Bruce LeVine's play-by-play. The new job is temporary for the left wing from Langley, B.C., who put up 20 points (8g – 12a) before injury put him behind the microphone.

IN OTHER NEWS...

He shoots, he scores!: Former IceGator Cam Severson scored his first NHL goal Wednesday, February 18 for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Two other former Gators have scored NHL goals: Rob Valicevic with the Nashville Predators and Justin Kurtz with the Vancouver Canucks.

Injury Report: Left wing Brian Herbert remains on seven-day injured reserve. Right wing Konstantin Kalmikov has been placed on seven-day injured reserve. Left wing Dennis Shiryaev has been placed on thirty-day injured reserve.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 9 am @ the Hockeyplex
Wednesday: 10 am @ the Hockeyplex
Thursday: 10 am @ the Hockeyplex
Friday: 10 am @ the Cajundome. Pre-game skate
Saturday: Game in Pensacola
Sunday: 10 am @ the Cajundome. Pre-game skate

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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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