Kingfish fall in shootout, 3-2
December 31, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Baton Rouge Kingfish News Release
The Kingfish surrendered two goals in the final minute allowing the IceGators to send the game to overtime where they tallied the only goal in the shootout for the 3-2 victory.
Neither team could get on the board in a very fast opening period highlighted by a handful of stoppages in play and solid goaltending at both ends of the ice.
Jason Norrie picked up a loose puck in the slot and flipped it over Kyle Kettles for the first goal of the game at the 8:01 mark of the first period of play. Kettles made the original save but couldn't come up with the rebound and it slipped out of a pile in front of the net right to Norrie. Trevor Demmand and Tom Kaiman added the assists on the goal.
Joe Guenther gave the Kingfish a 2-0 lead at the 14:31 mark of the third period as he took a centering pass from Clark Jones off a 2-on-1 break.
Louisiana cut the Kingfish lead to one as Cal Benazic beat rookie netminder Niklas Sundberg over the glove with just 51 seconds remaining in the contest. Kenny Corupe and Bruce Richardson added the assists as Cloutier was pulled in favor of an extra attacker.
The Ice Gators tied the game up at two as Benazic added his second of the night with just 28 seconds remaining in the third to send the game to overtime as he beat Sundberg over the shoulder and the puck just found its way inside the post. Bruce Richardson again added an assist.
Neither team could score in the overtime session and Frederic Cloutier stopped all five Kingfish shooters for the win. Shawn McNeil tallied the only goal for the Ice Gators in the shootout for win.
The Kingfish are back in action on Friday when they host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Centroplex at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the action on Baton Rouge's Best R & B, 104.5 WZRB beginning with the Kingfish pregame show at 6:50 p.m.
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ECHL Stories from December 31, 2002
- Jackals Defeat Beacons 5-2, End 2002 With Win - Elmira Jackals
- Benazic, McNeil ignite comeback as IceGators ring out 2002 the right way - Louisiana IceGators
- Kingfish fall in shootout, 3-2 - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Generals move within one point of first - Greensboro Generals
- Blades Earn Point in 2-1 Overtime Loss - Florida Everblades
- Generals Game Night Notes - Greensboro Generals
- K-Wings Week in Review for December 30th-January 5th - Kalamazoo Wings
- Baxter, Scott and Gardner Tops in December - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Jackal Bites - Elmira Jackals
- Nailers Change Game Time - Wheeling Nailers
- Grizz Fall to Griffins - Utah Grizzlies
- Wings Stadium/K-Wings and Quota Club Team Up - Kalamazoo Wings
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