IceGators Leave Home Ice With A 4-1 Win
Published on April 1, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â The Louisiana IceGators went out with a bang tonight as they won their final home game 4-1 over the Pensacola Ice Pilots. The IceGators are now 48-21-2 with 98 points. The Mississippi Sea Wolves are still three points behind the Gators with their 5-3 win over the Texas Wildcatters tonight in Beaumont, but with two games left, still have a chance to close the gap.
Kenny Corupe scored the only goal of the first period at the 8:14 mark. Ben Storey, who rejoined the Gators after a stint with the Houston Aeros, got the puck to Bruce Richardson. Richardson shot at Evgeny Konstantinov and Corupe redirected the puck into the back of the net.
The Gators kept the Pilots from registering any shots on goal for the first 12:25, and Derek Gustafson kept their eight shots from finding the twine.
The Louisiana IceGators took a 3-0 lead in the second period on goals from Ben Storey and Semir Ben-Amor. With the Gators enjoying a 5-on-3 power play, Jamie Johnson gathered the puck at the far side of the net and passed it to Storey at the blue line. Storey one-timed the puck past Konstantinov on the glove-side. It was Storey's 15th power play goal.
With less than five minutes left in the second frame, the Pilots attempted a shorthanded goal and were stymied by Derek Gustafson. Storey skated across the neutral zone and gave the puck to Alex Materukhin, who split the defenders and dropped the puck for Bruce Richardson. Richardson shot it on goal and Ben-Amor knocked the puck behind Konstantinov for his 15th of the year.
The Pilots spoiled Gustafson's sixth shutout bid early in the third period, but they would not solve the Gators' netminder again.
Armands Berzins put away his 14th of year to cap the scoring the for Gators. Jamie Johnson hit Konstantin Kalmikov with a cross-ice pass that sprang Kalmikov into the Pilots' zone. Konstantinov came out to block Kalmikov, who made a late pass to Berzins across the slot. Berzins wristed the puck into the open net and the Gators marked their final regular season game with a victory.
The IceGators travel to Biloxi for the final game of the regular season on Saturday, where they will battle with the Mississippi Sea Wolves for the division crown.
The 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs will kick off at the Cajundome on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Individual tickets and playoff packages are now available. The IceGators' Frank's Casing warm-up jerseys are currently up for auction on www.icegators.com. Bids must be submitted to auction@icegators.com by 5 p.m. Friday April 2. Please call the IceGators office at 337-234-4423 for more information about playoff tickets or the jersey auction.
ECHL Stories from April 1, 2004
- Mississippi dials up the 'Catters, 5-3 - Texas Wildcatters
- IceGators Leave Home Ice With A 4-1 Win - Louisiana IceGators
- Sea Wolves Nab Nextel Cup, Top Wildcatters 5-3 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Pride prevail in OT - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Lynx Blank Snakes, 4-0 - Augusta Lynx
- Gladiators drop 5-4 OT decision to Pride - Atlanta Gladiators
- Nesting Dolls Friday and Replica Jersey Night Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- Deschatelets Named Gulls Player of the Month - San Diego Gulls
- Matchbox Cars and Jersey Raffle Highlight Season's Final Weekend - Fresno Falcons
- Willett and Mears to be Honored this Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- ECHL Playoffs Have Seen Share Of Last-Day Qualifiers - ECHL
- Garnett Recalled to Chicago - Atlanta Gladiators
- Titans sign Markusen, Allen goes to Binghamton - Trenton Devils
- Storey and Gustafson named to All-ECHL Team - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Walby, Baxter Named To 2003-04 All-ECHL Teams - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Nailers Jaffray named to All-ECHL Second Team - Wheeling Nailers
- Kuznetsov Placed On IR; Cava Activated - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- San Diego, Wheeling Tied In Brabham Cup Race - ECHL
- Six Still Fighting For Last Four Kelly Cup Playoff Berths - ECHL
- Post Season Meet and Greet/Jersey Auction with the Columbus Cottonmouths - Columbus Cottonmouths
- McCullough Named to All ECHL Second Team - Florida Everblades
- Bullies To Wear Casino-Themed Jerseys Saturday - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Neilson Named First Team All ECHL - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Pederson Named to All-ECHL Second Team - San Diego Gulls
- Curtin, Stirling Bring Bullies More Honors - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- 2003-04 All-ECHL Teams Announced - ECHL
- Mississippi Announces Top Players In March - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- USA Hockey Selects Former Wheeling Coach Laviolette To Coach National Team In World Championships - ECHL
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Chiefs Sign Defensman From University of New Brunswick - Johnstown Chiefs
- Condors Remain Hot, 3-1 Over Idaho - Bakersfield Condors
- Aces win 4-2, now .500 on road - Alaska Aces
- Ice Dogs flushed by Aces - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Gulls Beat Vegas In OT, 2-1 - San Diego Gulls
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