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IceGators second in the ECHL

March 15, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators played the last five games of their eight game road trip this past week and finished with a 4-1. The IceGators are 45-17-2 with 92 points in the ECHL standings. This puts them seven points behind the league-leading Wheeling Nailers (48-14-3) and 13 points ahead of their closest division rival, the Mississippi Sea Wolves (36-19-7). Louisiana needs one point to clinch a Kelly Cup Playoff berth.

     The IceGators started their week with a Tuesday tilt against the Charlotte Checkers (31-23-7). Josh Bennet put up his first tally as an IceGator with a game-tying goal in the second period. After that, the Gators did not look back. A goal from Maxime Fortunus and two from Konstantin Kalmikov finished off the Checkers. Derek Gustafson made 20 saves to backstop the Gators to a 4-1 victory and their 43rd win of the season.

     Armands Berzins and Jamie Johnson scored two goals each and Bobby Brown, Kenny Corupe, Ed McGrane and Semir Ben-Amor added to the tally as the Gators routed the Checkers 8-2 on Friday, March 12. Frederic Cloutier faced 34 shots on goal for his 20th win.

     Saturday found the IceGators in Charleston, SC for their first tilt of the year against the South Carolina Sting Rays (34-24-3). The Gators posted a 5-2 victory on goals from Rod Sarich, Ed McGrane, Alex Materukhin, Kenny Corupe and Semir Ben-Amor. Derek Gustafson earned his 25th win with 21 saves.

     The last game of the road trip saw a disappointing 4-1 loss for the Gators, as the Florence Pride (26-30-8) halted the six-game win streak the Gators had built on the road trip. Alex Materukhin scored his 26th goal but the Pride's Sebastien LaPlante kept the Gators from tallying anymore.

UPCOMING GAMES

Columbus Cottonmouths – Wednesday, March 17, 2004 @ 7:05 pm – The IceGators will call on the Luck O' the Irish when they face the Cottonmouths for the seventh time this season. These teams have split their first six games, with each team earning three wins in the season series.

Mississippi Sea Wolves – Friday, March 19 @ 7:05 p.m. – The 12th game of the year between these arch-rivals will be the last time the Sea Wolves visit the Frozen Swamp in the regular season this year. The final two games of the season series will take place in Biloxi. The Gators lead the series 8-3.

Pensacola Ice Pilots – Saturday, March 20, 2004 @ 7:05 pm – The IceGators are 6-4-2 against the Pilots this season. This game will be the final regular season match-up between these potential play-off foes.

PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 – St. Patrick's Day: Wear your Irish green for the "Green Out" against the Columbus Cottonmouths and receive $2 off tickets at the Cajundome box office. There will also be a St. Patty's Day costume contest and $2 green beer. This game was rescheduled from January 4th so IceGators fans could watch the LSU football team win the National Championship. Season ticket holders should use their ticket from the January 4th game for admittance on St. Patty's Day.

Friday, March 19, 2004 – Iberia Parish Appreciation Night: This is the last match-up of the season with the rival Mississippi Sea Wolves. All Iberia Parish residents will receive $2 off at the Cajundome box office. A portion of the proceeds from tickets sold through the Iberia Parish schools will be donated to the schools.

Saturday, March 20, 2004 – Boy Scout Night: Boy Scout troops from across Acadiana have been invited to attend the game. Each ticket purchased through Boy Scout troops will raise $2 that will be donated back to that chapter of Boy Scouts of America. Every Boy Scout who attends the game in uniform will receive a special patch at the game. The Erath High School Band will also perform during the game.

Friday, March 19, 2004 and Saturday, March 20, 2004 – Faith and Fellowship Weekend: Christian recording artist Ken Holloway will sing the National Anthem and perform during the intermissions of the March 19 game. A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased through your church or religious organization will be donated to A Pregnancy Center and Clinic, a non-profit group selected by sponsor KSJY.

Friday, March 19, 2004 and Saturday, March 20, 2004 – Kelly Cup Tour: The ECHL's top prize will visit the Cajundome as part of the Kelly Cup Tour. Named for Commissioner Emeritus of the ECHL Patrick J. Kelly, the Cup is rewarded to the ECHL's post-season champion. Fans will be able to see the Cup and take pictures with the league's vaunted prize.

TEAM NEWS

"Tickets for the Tenth" – The Louisiana IceGators have launched their season ticket drive for the 2004-05 season. Ticket packages are now on sale for full season (36 games) and partial season packages. Help the IceGators reach their goal of 1000 season ticket deposits by May 1, 2004. Deposits are $25 per seat. Please call the IceGators office at 337-234-4423 to order your season tickets for next year.

WHO'S HOT

Alex Materukhin – The Player of the Week nominee collected 8 points (3g – 5a) in five games this week. The 6-1 right wing from Kiev, Ukraine was the second IceGator to reach the 20-goal mark this season. He has amassed 26 goals and 32 assists for 58 points in 61 games.

Ed McGrane – The rookie Gator tallied five points (3g – 2a) in five games this week. He is two goals away from becoming the fourth IceGator to score 20 goals this season. McGrane has 18 goals and 25 assists in an IceGators sweater.

Semir Ben-Amor – The Finn posted a four-point game (1g – 3a) against the Charlotte Checkers on March 12. He has 22 points (14g – 8a) in 31 games with the IceGators this season.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Records Were Made To Be Broken – Chris Valicevic's regular season career assist record of 460 assists in 590 games is in danger from Mississippi's Louis Dumont. Dumont has amassed 457 assists in 623 career games. The IceGators 14-game win streak record, set from November 23 – December 22, 2001, was being threatened by Wheeling until the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (41-15-5) salvaged a tie against the Nailers on March 12 and saved Louisiana's record..

Good Things Come in Threes – Three Louisiana IceGators have scored 20 or more goals this season. Bobby Brown (33), Alex Materukhin (26) and Konstantin Kalmikov (21) have all crossed the double decade mark in goal scoring. Ben Storey and Ed McGrane are knocking on the door with 18 goals each

Get ‘em While They're Hot – Three Louisiana IceGators have scored 20 or more goals this season. Bobby Brown (33), Alex Materukhin (26) and Konstantin Kalmikov (21) have all crossed the double decade mark in goal scoring. Ben Storey and Ed McGrane are knocking on the door with 18 goals each

Injury Report – Left wing Brian Herbert remains on thirty-day injured reserve. Left wing Dennis Shiryaev remains on thirty-day injured reserve.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 10 a.m @ the Hockeyplex
Wednesday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome. Pre-Game Skate
Thursday: 10 a.m @ the Hockeyplex
Friday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome. Pre-Game Skate
Saturday: Pre-game skate in Charleston
Sunday: OFF
Monday: 10 a.m. @ the Cajundome

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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.

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