IceGators Rebound with Win over Havoc
November 28, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
LAFAYETTE, La.--Short memories are necessary to survive in the world of hockey.
The Louisiana IceGators have learned how to forget ugly losses quickly.
Only two nights after blowing a late lead on their own ice, the IceGators managed to hold on to a one-goal lead through entire third period to beat the Huntsville Havoc 2-1. Adam Stuart led the team with a goal and an assist.
The IceGators and the Havoc will meet again Saturday night in the Cajundome. Game time is set for 7:05.
"I thought we played very well with our systems tonight," said IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli. "It was a huge difference from Wednesday night. We came out hitting and playing aggressively. We dominated in the first. We got tied up with penalties in the second, but we battled through it.
"The only major Grade-A scoring opportunities we gave them were the result of fatigue because we were on the penalty kill so often. We still need to find more ways to put the puck on net. Tonight, thought, we had trouble because we had to kill eight minutes of penalties."
The Havoc took a 1-0 lead 81 seconds into the game when Colin Hekle scored unassisted.
The IceGators controlled the rest of the game.
Jason Cohen tied the game at the 7:50 mark of the first period off assists from Stuart and Mike MacIntyre.
Stuart scored the go-ahead goal at 6:23 in the second period off assists from Shawn McNeil and Mitchell Stretch.
Omicioli was highly complimentary of Stuart's performance.
"Stuart was phenomenal tonight," Omicioli said "We need that out of him more often. If he continues to play like that, he's going to have a big year, and it's going to bring us even more success."
Omicioli says although he was pleased with his team's performance tonight, he says his team performance and endurance can improve just by avoiding penalties.
"Overall, we had the will to end the game tonight," Omicioli said. "We didn't have that Wednesday. It's an extreme positive for us to come back and answer the bell tonight, but our momentum got sidelined by us killing penalties. We need to play a more disciplined game [Saturday], and if we can do that, we can take it to them again.
"We're on the brink of being great. We have our game plan, and if we stick to it, goals will come."
SPHL Stories from November 28, 2014
- Ice Bears Win in Shootout and Take over First Place - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Rivermen Score OT Win over Defending Champs - Peoria Rivermen
- IceGators Rebound with Win over Havoc - Louisiana IceGators
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