Icegators Lose To Surge In Closing Seconds
March 25, 2011 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
LAFAYETTE, LA - The Louisiana IceGators (16-39) returned to the ice for the final weekend of the 2010-11 season. The IceGators traveled to Biloxi to take on the league leading Mississippi Surge (36-19). Louisiana was hoping to try to knock the Surge out of the number one seed in the playoffs but fell short falling to the Surge 4-3.
The Louisiana IceGators (16-37) returned to the ice after a week and a half off following their last home game of the season. The IceGators traveled east to take on the Cottonmouths of Columbus (27-26). Despite having such a long lay-off, Mike Brown (LOU) and the âGators shut Columbus out and won 4-0.
The first period began slowly as each team was trying to feel each other out. Mississippi took the first shot on goal 3:15 into the game. Fifteen seconds later Louisiana's Beau McLaughlin, who was just named to the second team All-SPHL, scored his 32nd goal of the season. With the âGators up 1-0, Mike Brown (LOU) went to work. Louisiana was out shot 23-9 and Brown stopped all of the shots on goal. At one time in the period, Mississippi had eight consecutive shots on goal.
The second period began with the IceGators up 1-0. Mississippi came out of the gate quickly putting pressure on Brown but he continued to be up to the task. Less than six minutes into the period Ryan McCarthy (MIS) was called for holding. The Surge almost killed the power play but in the closing seconds Paul D'Agostino (LOU) scored and put the âGators up 2-0. The Surge responded after falling behind 2-0 with seven consecutive shots on goal but were unable to capitalize on any of them. Louisiana's Robert Short was called for interference with 1:44 left. Less than a minute into the power play, Nick Klaren (MIS) scored his fourth goal of the season and cut the âGator lead in half.
The third period began similarly to the first period. This time the IceGators had the first shot on goal in the period with 16:47 remaining in the game. However, Mississippi was able to tie the game up on an Adam Bartholomy (MIS) goal with 14:32 left in the game. Less than three minutes later, Shawn McNeil (LOU) scored his 21st goal of the season and broke the 2-2 tie. With the IceGators winning 3-2 Mississippi put pressure on Brown and eventually snuck one past him. With 4:03 remaining in the game, Jason Beeman (MIS) tied the game at 3-3. As the game was winding down Jeff Grant (MIS) unleashed a shot that past Brown and put the Surge up 4-3.
"We played a good game tonight," replied IceGators Head Coach Kevin Kaminski after losing to the Surge. "The guys have bought into a system and we hope to build off of this going into next season."
Louisiana travels to Columbus for the final game of the season. The IceGators will his the ice at 6:30 tomorrow to take on the Cottonmouths of Columbus. Do not miss a moment of the action next season. Get your season tickets for next season now by calling (337) 704-4423.
SPHL Stories from March 25, 2011
- Ice Bears Entertain Near Sellout Crowd with a Victory - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Icegators Lose To Surge In Closing Seconds - Louisiana IceGators
- RiverHawks Win Eleventh in a Row in Thrilling Fashion - Augusta RiverHawks
- SPHL Announces 'All-SPHL First Team' - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- All-SPHL First Team Announced - SPHL
- SPHL Announces 'All-SPHL Second Team' - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- All-SPHL Second Team Announced - SPHL
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