IceGators Weekly Report

October 27, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


A night after losing 3-1 to a Baton Rouge team that Dave Farrish said had "fire in their eyes," the Louisiana IceGators breathed some smoke of their own, routing the Jackson Bandits 6-1 on Sunday at the Cajundome. The win wrapped up a 2-1-0 week for the IceGators, who had beaten Arkansas 5-2 at home on Friday.

Bruce Richardson had four assists, Daniel Goneau had a goal and two helpers and Kenny Corupe scored twice, as the IceGators routed the Jackson Bandits 6-1 at the Cajundome. Cal Benazic, Bobby Brown and rookie Chris Taliercio also scored and Frederic Cloutier made 28 saves to move to 5-0-0 for the IceGators, who kept Jackson off the board during eight power play opportunities.

Cloutier's bid for an eighth career shutout was ruined with 5:06 left when former first-round draft pick Kevin Grimes beat the second-year netminder with a screened one-timer from the left point.

Shawn McNeil's five-game goal-scoring streak was snapped in the contest, although both he and Kevin Mitchell extended their point streaks to seven games.

Saturday, Clark Jones scored twice in the opening 4:06 of the game and Jeff Blair made 37 saves in a spectacular performance, as the Baton Rouge Kingfish handed the IceGators their first loss of the season, a 3-1 defeat at the Riverside Centroplex.

McNeil scored the lone goal for Louisiana, which was trying to start the season with a franchise-record 6-0-0 mark. Kyle Kettles made 21 saves in net for the IceGators. Friday, Nathan Rempel and Taliercio each scored twice as the IceGators rallied from an early deficit for an impressive 5-2 win over the Arkansas RiverBlades at the Cajundome.

McNeil also scored Cloutier made 22 saves for his 32nd as an IceGator, moving him past Bryan Schoen into third place on the team's all-time list.

Former IceGator Matt Pagnutti and Kyle Kos each scored for Arkansas, while former IceGator Jason Saal made 28 saves. McNeil had the game-tying goal in the first period with a textbook move at the 15:25 mark. He took a pass from Benazic at the blueline and faked a defender to the ground. McNeil was almost tripped up himself, barely staying on his feet. He then crossed with Corupe, maneuvered himself into the slot and ripped a shot top shelf past Saal, his former teammate.

Saal dropped to 2-5-3 against his former team.

Coming attractions:

FRI, LA at CBS, 6:00 p.m.

Louisiana and Columbus hook up for the second time since the Cottonmouths relocated from Hampton Roads, Va. The IceGators, who play Columbus five times this season, won their previous trip to the Columbus Civic Center last March 2, a 3-2 victory. Louisiana is 4-2-0 all-time against the franchise, including a 2-0-0 mark on the road.

SAT, LA at CBS, 6:00 p.m.

The IceGators and Cottonmouths will tangle for the second straight night. The two teams meet next on back-to-back nights as well, November 23 and 24 at the Cajundome.

SUN, LA at MIS, 5:05 p.m.

The Sea Wolves and IceGators enter the week tied for first place in the Southwest Division with 12 points apiece, but both of Mississippi's losses have come at the hands of Louisiana. The Sea Wolves look for revenge.

Don't forget: The IceGators return home on Thursday, Nov. 7 against Arkansas.

Make sure to follow the IceGators on 105.1 KPEL-FM, and also via the Internet at www.icegators.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday's broadcast is the IceGators' final Internet only broadcast of the season.

‘Gators at Evangeline Elementary for "Career Week" - The IceGators will spend a good part of Tuesday and Wednesday at Evangeline Elementary's Career Week, speaking about careers in the world of hockey. Tuesday, Bruce Richardson, Daniel Goneau and IceGators director of community and media relations Ryan Stanzel will attend five classes in the afternoon, during which the players will speak to the children years five through eight in French. Wednesday, Stanzel and Chris Taliercio will attend more career week activities. Taliercio, a Dartmouth graduate, will talk about the importance of a good education and setting goals and how it relates to a career.

Richardson has a big night - IceGators center Bruce Richardson had Louisiana's first four-assist night in more than a season Sunday. Richardson became the first IceGator with four helpers since Mike Murray accomplished the feat on March 24, 2001, at home against Birmingham. Richardson assisted on childhood friend Daniel Goneau's tally, Louisiana's first of the game, at the 11:17 mark of the first period against Jackson. Richardson assisted on Chris Taliercio's second period goal, then picked up helpers on third period goals by Bobby Brown on the power play and Cal Benazic's shorthanded score. Richardson has nine points (2g, 7a) through seven games and his four assists and points were both career highs for one game.

Good week for rookie Sarich - Rookie blueliner Rod Sarich picked up his first pro point, an assist, Friday against Arkansas, and added another helper Sunday against Jackson.

Stellar second periods - The IceGators have outscored their opponents by a whopping 14-0 margin in the second period this season, with rookie Chris Taliercio scoring four of the goals. Louisiana is getting outscored 10-6 in the first period, while in the third, the IceGators have scored 11 goals while allowing nine.

McNeil, Mitchell each have points in every game - Shawn McNeil and Kevin Mitchell each have seven-game point streaks to start the season. McNeil is averaging nearly two points a game, as he has 13 points (8g, 5a). McNeil's seven-game point streak is his third over the last two seasons. In fact, McNeil finished last season on a seven-game point streak and has at least a point in his last 14 regular-season games. McNeil's longest point streak of his career is 12, from January 19-February 16, 2001. McNeil also set a career-high with a goal in five straight games. Mitchell (0g, 10a) has a point in each of his last 12 regular-season games, dating back to last season. He has already bettered his career-best point streak (six games) and assist streak (three games).

That's Amor-e - IceGators winger Semir Ben-Amor, a native of Finland, picked up his first assist in North America in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Baton Rouge. Ben-Amor picked up a power play helper on Shawn McNeil's second-period goal.

Taliercio second in goals among rookies - IceGators forward Chris Taliercio is second among all ECHL rookies in goals scored with five. Pee Dee's Mike Glumac leads with six. Taliercio's six points are also tied for 10th among league rookies.

It's all in the family - The NHL, AHL, ECHL combination of Minnesota, Houston and Louisiana has a record of 20-2-2, for a sparkling .875 winning percentage.

Chomp Time is back - Chomp Time has returned to the airways for another season. Andy Davis gets things underway every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on Fox-15. Coming this Sunday are Plays of the Week, Ask the Gators, and much, much more. It's Chomp Time at 10:30 a.m., Sundays on Fox-15.

Player of the Week Nominees

Center Bruce Richardson

Had five assists in three games and was a plus-four while leading IceGators to a 2-1-0 record...In his career with Louisiana, the IceGators are 21-0-1 when he records a point...Had an assist in Friday's 5-2 win over Arkansas...Notched career-best four points, all assists, in Sunday's 6-1 rout of Jackson...Had never had more than two assists in a game...Ranks fourth on team with nine points (2g, 7a).

Goaltender Frederic Cloutier

Was 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and a .943 save percentage last week...Made 22 saves in 5-2 win over Arkansas on Friday...Turned aside 28 shots and came within 5:06 of a shutout in 6-1 win over Jackson on Sunday...Has stopped 39 of 39 shots this season in the second period....Last year's ECHL MVP and Rookie of the Year sports a 2.56 goals against average and a .886 save percentage to go along with his 5-0-0 record.



ECHL Stories from October 27, 2002


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.

OurSports Central