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IceGators Skid Continues with Loss to RiverKings

February 20, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, La.--A return to the Frozen Swamp couldn't cure the Louisiana IceGators' case of the winter blues.

Despite leading 1-0 going into the first intermission, the IceGators gave up three goals in the second period en route to a 4-2 loss against the Mississippi RiverKings. The loss extends the IceGators losing streak to five games.

The IceGators will hit the road again for a Saturday night game against the Columbus Cottonmouths. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT.

"I thought we played a good first period," Omicioli said. "We got a nice lead coming into the second. Then we took the second period off. We had no intensity, we weren't blocking shots, and we played soft. (Mississippi's) defense did a good job of getting pucks to the net. We played a decent third period, but that's not enough. If you don't put together a full 60-minute game, you're not going to win in this league. We've done it for five games straight now."

The IceGators gained early momentum when Jeremy Boyer tipped in a Kirk Byczynski shot from the point, giving Louisiana a 1-0 lead 3:42 into the game. Jake Hauswirth also assisted on the play.

The RiverKings dominated the second period.

Daniel Sobotka tied the game when he scored after rebounding a Dmitri Peremikin shot at the 2:14 mark.

Linden Bahm tacked on two more goals in the second half of the frame. The first, a power play score, came when he tipped in an Andrew Randazzo shot at the 10:23 mark. The second came on a wrist shot from the right point off a feed from Matt Whitehead at the 16:27 mark.

The IceGators attempted a comeback later in the third period.

Adam Stuart tipped in a Chris Wilson shot from the slot with 3:42 remaining in regulation to put the IceGators within a goal of the tie.

The comeback was not meant to be, as Mississippi sealed the victory when Devin Mantha scored an empty netter with 22 seconds left in the game.

Omicioli says his team is reeling not only from injuries, but also from losing several players to ECHL assignments.

"I'm starting to see that the call-ups are affecting us," Omicioli said. "Having six guys in the ECHL, combined with injuries, is taking a toll on us. The line combinations are constantly changing, and different bodies are coming in all the time. We have that one line that's been consistent, but others have been spotty because of those transfers."

Despite this, Omicioli says his team can still be successful on a regular basis, but he says some modifications in play and attitude are needed to do so.

"Adam Stuart stepped up on the locker room tonight and lit into the guys about their execution,' Omicioli said. "Casey Goll had a great first game tonight. He skated well, made smart plays, and brought intensity every shift. Jeremy Boyer played great, too. He never takes a night off. Their style of play and their attitudes need to become contagious in the locker room."

"If we put 60 minutes together, I expect to win. If we put only 40 minutes together, then it's a coin flip."

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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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