IceGators Snap Slide with Win over Surge
February 3, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, Louisiana - The Louisiana IceGators returned to their winning ways Friday night with a 3-1 victory over the Mississippi Surge. The IceGators never trailed during the course of the match thanks to solid defense and outstanding goaltending.
"I thought it was a solid, solid 60 minutes," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "I thought we had a lot of jump in the first. In the second period, we kind of lulled to sleep a little bit. We weren't as strong there as we were in the first and third. Overall, I thought our work ethic was strong and smart."
The IceGators came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, outshooting the Surge 14-7 in the first period. Tyler Lyon scored a powerplay goal midway though the frame to give Louisiana a 1-0 lead. The Surge tied the game five minutes into the second period on a Shawn Skelly powerplay goal. The IceGators regained the lead less than two minutes later when Robert Short caught a rebound off the boards and tipped the puck into the net. Louisiana extended its lead in the third when Phil Crea scored his first goal of the season.
The IceGators defense was superb. Louisiana allowed only one breakaway and a couple of odd-man rushes the entire contest. Kaminski attributes this to the use of a soft lock and the physicality of his players. "Our forwards and defensemen blocked a lot of shots tonight," he said. "They paid the price for the win. Goaltending was also fantastic. B. J. O'Brien had his best night in goal since joining the IceGators last month, stopping 20 of 21 shots. Kaminski praised his goalie after the game. "When we had breakdowns, he made some great saves," Kaminski said. "There was the breakaway with a good goal scorer in Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn, and he stopped it. That's what we talked about all week. The goaltenders have no more excuses. They need to stop the puck. Overall, it was a great performance."
Kaminski expects the game resolve from his team when they take the ice Saturday night against the Mississippi RiverKings. "We have to get prepared and get focused now. We used to find ways to lose. Now we have to have the mental toughness we had tonight and use it again tomorrow."
The IceGators take on the RiverKings Saturday night at 7:05 P. M. in the Cajundome. The IceGators will hold Boy Scouts Night and will give out honor patches to Boy Scouts in attendance.
SPHL Stories from February 3, 2012
- RiverHawks Slide by Cottonmouths - Augusta RiverHawks
- Ice Flyers Come Up Short In A Shootout Loss - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- IceGators Snap Slide with Win over Surge - Louisiana IceGators
- Streaks Snapped! - Mississippi Surge
- Back in the Win Column - Mississippi RiverKings
- Streak comes to end - Mississippi Surge
- RiverKings Fans Enjoy Fellowship, Food and Fun at Fillin Station Grille Pre-Game Warm-Up - Mississippi RiverKings
- Surge Netminder Kiefer Smiley Named SBK Player of the Month - SPHL
- Surge Game Preview - February 3, 2012 - Mississippi Surge
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers at Huntsville Havoc - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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