IceGators Need Win Against Knoxville
Published on February 24, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA-After coming off of a 7-5 victory over Knoxville (23-18-2), the IceBears travel south to visit Blackham Coliseum and the IceGators (15-26-2). This will be the final meeting between the two teams this season. Currently the 'Bears are in fifth place and 16 points ahead of the 'Gators. Louisiana is only seven points out of the final spot in the playoffs behind Columbus.
In the most recent match-up on Tuesday night the 'Gators took advantage of a slumping IceBears team. Knoxville is currently enamored in a five game losing streak, the longest current streak in the league, and their last two on the road. The 'Gators were led by Mike Omicioli (LOU), who had two goals, and Josh Bonar (LOU), also had two goals. Trevor Karasiewicz (LOU) was able to continue his hot streak, getting two assists and extending his streak of eight straight games with an assist. Knoxville's bright spot was Kevin Swider (KNX) who had a hat trick in the game.
"It's going to be important that we keep this momentum going," replied IceGators Head Coach Dave MacIsaac when asked about the 7-5 victory against Knoxville. "We were able to force turnovers in their defensive zone and capitalized on them."
Louisiana looks to slow down the high scoring leader of Knoxville, Swider. This season he has had three hat tricks and one against the IceGators in the last meeting earlier this week. Swider is third in the league in assists (34), goals (30), and points (64).
"He is a really good player," MacIsaac said when asked about Swider. "[Kevin] Swider is a good leader that tries to make the players around him better and by doing that it makes him difficult to stop. When he is on the ice we have to worry about all of the players on his line not just him."
Louisiana returns to the ice on Saturday, February 27 at 7:05 to take on the Ice Flyers of Pensacola. With only 13 games remaining, all of the games down the stretch are important, especially with the 'Gators sitting seven points out of the sixth and final playoff spot.
SPHL Stories from February 24, 2010
- Snakes Prepare For Military Appreciation Night, Snake Eyes - Columbus Cottonmouths
- IceGators Need Win Against Knoxville - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Partner With Aerotek, Inc. To Raise Support For The Boys And Girls Club - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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