IceGators Ride Defense to 3-1 Victory
March 22, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Huntsville, Ala.--The Louisiana IceGators went back to basics Friday night and played the stingy defense that their head coach, Kevin Kaminski, has expected from them all season.
That effort paid dividends, as the IceGators used that stingy defense to keep the Huntsville Havoc neutralized en route to a 3-1 victory. The IceGator penalty kill unit was superb in the win, shutting down all six of the Havoc's power plays.
The IceGators close the regular season Saturday night with a game against the Knoxville IceBears. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m.
"It was a solid, simple road win," Kaminski said. "The guys played hard and smart, and the special teams were excellent again. Besides a few turnovers, I thought we did a lot of good things tonight.
"We had two great practices to get everything fine tuned and to tighten the bolts, and all of the guys were on the same page tonight."
After a scoreless first period, the IceGators and the Havoc traded goals.
Jeremy Boyer put Louisiana ahead 1-0 at the 5:38 mark with a tip-in score on a power play. Jeff Grant and Kirk Byczynski assisted on the play.
Thirty-seven seconds later, Huntsville responded when Josh Harris recorded an unassisted goal.
The IceGators regained the lead at the 2:54 mark of the third period when Adam Stuart scored on another tip-in goal in front of the net. Grant and Shawn McNeil assisted on the score.
Stuart tacked on an insurance goal on an empty net with 36 seconds left in the game.
"We paid the price tonight by scoring in traffic,"Kaminski said. "We got our tips in traffic, and our net-front resilience paid off. [Goalie Matt] Zenzola also made some key saves, but he did a great job of controlling his rebounds."
Kaminski says he expects to see more of the same during the season finale in Knoxville.
"Team stingy defense was a priority for us tonight," he said. "Now, we have to finish strong and on a high note going into the playoffs. We have to keep being greedy to win."
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SPHL Stories from March 22, 2014
- Ice Bears Playoff Position Set - Knoxville Ice Bears
- IceGators Close Regular Season with Comeback Win - Louisiana IceGators
- RiverKings Close Regular Season with Win - Mississippi RiverKings
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- Huntsville beats Columbus 3-2 as Lazorko gets hat trick - Columbus Cottonmouths
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- Thunder Drop Season Finale to Ice Flyers - Bloomington Thunder
- Fayetteville Downs Peoria in Overtime, 2-1 - Fayetteville Marksmen
- IceGators Ride Defense to 3-1 Victory - Louisiana IceGators
- IceGators Ride Defense to 3-1 Victory - Louisiana IceGators
- Jones' Late-Game Heroics Lift RiverKings - Mississippi RiverKings
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