IceGators Stomp Surge
February 7, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, La.--The Louisiana IceGators are finally hitting their stride.
After going 3-6-1 in the between December 27 and January 18, the IceGators are now the hottest team in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The IceGators continued their hot streak Friday night be defeating the Mississippi Surge 3-1. The IceGators (24-13-3) are now 7-1 in their last eight contests.
The IceGators and the Surge meet each other in a rematch Saturday night. The puck will drop in the Cajundome at 7:05 p.m.
"It was a really solid effort all around by the guys," said IceGators coach Kevin Kaminski. "We executed the systems well. We skated and pressured the puck really well and created turnovers. The guys were relentless, and we capitalized on their mistakes.
"We had a few breakdowns, but our defense only bent and never broke. They were awesome when the puck was in front of them. The guys gave up only 22 shots. When the puck got past them, [goalie Matt] Zenzola came up with some big saves."
The IceGators jumped out to a 1-0 eight minutes into the game when Chris Wilson scored off assists from Ron Cramer and Jordan Braid.
Louisiana added two more scores in the second period.
Adam Stuart took advantage of a two-on-one situation and scored off a feed from Matt Robertson three minutes into the frame.
Tyler Lyon tacked on another goal halfway through the period off assists from Braid and Wilson.
The Surge finally got on the board with 5:54 remaining in the game when Joe Tolles score off assists from Ian Boots and Kyle Kudroch.
Kaminski says his team will have to be prepared for how the Surge react to this loss when they hit the ice for Saturday's rematch.
"They are going to respond and be better tomorrow," Kaminski said. "WE have to up the ante. We have to be even crisper, more focused, and more relentless than we were tonight. Our cycle was really good tonight, and we have to do that again tomorrow. We have to get pucks deep and establish the forecheck.
"There's no sense in trying to be fancy against these guys and create something that's not there. We have to stick to our game and play it."
SPHL Stories from February 7, 2014
- Rivermen Edge Columbus, 3-2 on Friday - Peoria Rivermen
- Ice Flyers Down Knoxville 3-2 in OT - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Havoc Score Twice in 3rd to Beat Thunder - Bloomington Thunder
- IceGators Stomp Surge - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Fall to Louisiana 3-2 in OT - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Huntsville Squeaks by Bloomington, 4-2 - Huntsville Havoc
- Peoria Holds on for 3-2 Win against Columbus - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Power Play Powers RiverKings over Fayetteville - Mississippi RiverKings
- Ice Bears Win in Dramatic Fashion - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Knoxville squeaks by Columbus, 4-3 - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Snakes Take 3 of 4 Points; Hit the Road - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Ice Bears Win in Dramatic Fashion - Knoxville Ice Bears
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