Louisiana Loses to One of the Top Teams in League
Published on December 22, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
LAFAYETTE, LA - The Louisiana IceGators took to the ice having lost their last five games. Wednesday night the 'Gators faced off against the Pensacola Ice Flyers. The Ice Flyers had 26 points coming into the night, good enough for second place in the Southern Professional League, and they were able to add to that point total by defeating the IceGators 5-2.
The first period had a lot of animosity between the two teams. The Ice Flyers' Brett Parker and 'Gators Dennis Sicard were each given game misconducts for fighting while Paul DAgostino (LOU) and Tyler Barr (PEN) were also fighting. When the two teams returned to playing hockey, Pensacola and Louisiana were even in shooting but Pensacola was the first to capitalize. With 3:30 remaining in the period Matt Whitehead scored his first goal of the game and 16th goal of the season.
Tempers calmed down as the second period began. Each team was only called for one penalty and neither team was able to score on either power play. Kyle Dorowicz (PEN) put the Ice Flyers up 2-0 when he scored 2:14 into the period. Chris Wilson (PEN) added a goal about five minutes later.
As the third period began the 'Gators found themselves in a 3-0 hole. That just got deeper. Whitehead scored his second goal of the game and gave the Ice Flyers a 4-0 lead. The IceGators finally got on the board when Shawn McNeil (LOU) was able to score the team's first goal of the game with assistance from Beau McLaughlin and Trevor Karasiewicz. Whitehead quickly squashed any thought of a comeback when he scored his third goal and completed the hat trick a minute later. The 'Gators added another goal with 58 seconds left in the game and made the final score 5-2.
"This was a tough one," replied interim Head Coach Chris Valicevic after his first game as interim head coach. "Pensacola is a really good team. I hate to say that a game this early in the season is a must win, but that is what the game on Christmas has set up to be. It is important to just get some confidence back for the players."
The 'Gators will celebrate Christmas in the Dome against the Mississippi Surge on Christmas Day in the Dome. Don't miss your chance to bring a group to the game and take advantage of the 10 for 10 program. Groups of 10 can purchase tickets for $10. Call (337) 704-4423 for great season ticket and mini package opportunities, as well as the 10 for 10 program.
SPHL Stories from December 22, 2010
- Louisiana Loses to One of the Top Teams in League - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Dress Yakura - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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