IceGators record 2-3 record for the week, still in fourth place

Published on December 20, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


For the Week: 2-3-0

Season record 12-9-3, 27 points, 4th place South Division

Leading scorers Wes Mason 14-12-26, David Bararuk 6-11-17

Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators played five games in six nights last week compiling a record of 2-3. After a slow schedule to begin the season, Louisiana has now played 11 games in the last 17 days with five more to played this month.

Last Week

Louisiana lost to Gwinnett on Tuesday and Wednesday nights before snapping a 5 game winless streak with a 2-1 win over Texas on Friday night. The Gators then split a home and home series with the Pensacola Ice Pilots, falling on Satuday night 3-1 but earning a tough 2-1 win on Sunday at the Frozen Swamp.

The Nominees are: The IceGators nominees for ECHL of the weekly awards are Right Wing Wes Mason and Goaltender Nathan Marsters.

The Week Ahead

The IceGators play two games this week, as the Holiday break comes at a good time for a tired IceGators club.

Tuesday, December 21 vs. Charlotte Checkers at 7:05pm The IceGators last game before the Christmas break will be Tuesday night, December 21 when the Gators host the Charlotte Checkers at 7:05pm. Louisiana will be looking to avenge a 3-2 loss at Charlotte on December 8. As part of the night, we will have special holiday surprises including a visit from Santa and a holiday post game skate with the players.

Sunday, December 26 vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots This will be the 6th meeting of the season in what is becoming one of the fiercest rivalries in the ECHL. Louisiana is 2-2-1 vs. the Pilots and ex-coach Dave Farrish. Last weekend's home and home series provided some of the most emotional hockey of the season as the Gators rebounded from a Saturday loss in Pensacola with a 2-1 victory at home. Jake Ortmeyer and Wes Mason scoring power play goals for the Gators as rookie Nathan Marsters won his 7th game of the season. This game was heated from the start, as in the 1st period, things got wild as a series of battles led to 3 altercations and 2 game misconducts. The biggest of the fights involved the Gators Shawn Skiehar and Pilots Cam Keith. The two wound up brawling on the Louisiana bench, resulting in game misconducts for both. Total penalty minutes for the period were 38 minutes for Pensacola and 30 for Louisiana. Appropriately, December 26 in Canada is known as "Boxing Day".

Broadcast Info All games this week can be heard on 960am "The Gator". In addition to the radio broadcasts, all games can be heard via the internet at www.icegators.com. All games his week will have a video webcast available through the B2 Network and IceGators.com.

Notes

Wes Mason continues to lead the way for IceGator scorers. Mason is tied for 2nd in the ECHL with 14 goal. He is also 2nd in the league with 7 lamp lighters on the power play. The NJ Devils 2nd round pick in 1996 loves playing on the Frozen Swamp with a 5 game goal scoring streak on home ice.

Saturday night, Kyle Kettles returned to action for the first time since November 27, stopping 28 of 31 shots in a 3-1 loss at Pensacola. Rookie Nathan Marsters had carried the load for most of the month winning five games. The RPI alum is the 9th ranked goalie in the ECHL with a GAA of 2.12

Hat tricks wanted The IceGators have played competitive hockey through the month of December without having much of a scoring touch. Louisiana has gone 8 consecutive games scoring two goals or less. The last time the Gators scored 3 goals in a game was on December 7, a 3-0 road shut out over the Augusta Lynx.

Rookies Troy Smith and Roger Leonard Each scored their first professional points last week. Smith getting an assist against Gwinnett on December 14, while Leonard added two helpers, the fist on Friday night vs. Texas and then Sunday vs. Pensacola

Community News: Practice Schedule

The IceGators players will travel to Baton Rouge this Wednesday, December 22, to visit an affiliate of the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The team will deliver toys and be special guest of the hospital's annual Christmas party.

The IceGators will have a short practice week, due to the Christmas Holidays.The team will practice only before the games on Tuesday and Sunday starting at 10am in the Cajundome.

Project MAMA

The IceGators would like to thank all those who participated in yesterday's first Armed Forces Night. More than 350 tickets were donated to families of military personnel serving overseas. For the entire season the Gators are encouraging fans to participate in the Project MAMA.A list of supplies needed by our local troops serving overseas is listed at www.icegators.com. The team will have drop off points at the Cajundome for every home game and the effort will culminate our next Armed Forces Nights on March 20, 2005. On this night, children of our deployed troops will have a special day of IceGators hockey complete with a tour of the locker room and a picture with their favorite player. That picture along with supplies will be sent to loved ones overseas. Any business wanting to participate in project MAMA by donating tickets for these families, can call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.

Individual game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now. Tickets are available at the Cajundome Box Office, and all TicketMaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from December 20, 2004


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.

OurSports Central