Louisiana maintains first place with 6-2 win over Arkansas

December 21, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, LA – Nathan Rempel had two goals and an assist in the first period and Danny Goneau scored twice in the second, as the Louisiana IceGators rolled over the Arkansas RiverBlades 6-2 at the Cajundome. The IceGators break for Christmas before hitting the ice December 27 in Jackson.

Bobby Brown had a goal and two assists, Shawn McNeil added a goal and a helper and Derek Boogaard got his first career point, an assist, as the IceGators improved to 3-0-2 in their last five and maintained a one-point lead over Mississippi for first place in the Southwest Division. The Sea Wolves beat Jackson 7-2 in Biloxi tonight. Frederic Cloutier made 31 saves and Bruce Richardson added two assists for Louisiana.

Ernie Hartlieb paced Arkansas with a pair of goals. Jason Saal got pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots, while Jimi St. John made 14 saves in relief. The RiverBlades fell for the fourth time in five games.

McNeil got things started just 30 seconds into the game with his team-best 20th goal of the season. Brown took a cross-ice pass from Louis Mass at the left wing and skated into the Arkansas zone. Brown, falling down nearing the goal line, slid a pass between defenders to McNeil, camped out between the circles. McNeil deposited the puck high over Saal for the 1-0 edge, snapping his personal four-game goal-less streak.

Arkansas got even on Hartlieb's first goal, at the 16:04 mark. Buddy Smith sent a shot wide from the point, and Hartlieb collected the rebound and wrapped it around the post before Cloutier could recover.

The 6-foot-7, 260-pound Boogaard became a fan favorite early on, knocking Arkansas' Mark Scott hard into the boards at the 6:35 mark. (The two would meet again later on). Boogaard was whistled for charging, and with 21 seconds left in the penalty, Arkansas' Mike Renzi thought he had the go-ahead goal. However, it was correctly ruled that Renzi intentionally kicked the puck into the net.

With 6:06 left and the extra attacker on for a delayed penalty, Saal went horizontal to stop a McNeil one-timer from the right circle, knocking the puck aside with his pads.

Rempel made it 2-1 with 3:56 left in the period, just after a power play had expired. J.P. Morin picked up a failed clearing attempt at the right point and sent a cross-ice pass to Rempel in the left circle. Rempel's quick one-timer beat Saal before he could recover.

Rempel's second goal of the period put the IceGators up 3-1 with 3:33 left. Boogaard worked hard along the right corner boards to dig the puck out, and he sent a nifty pass to Rempel at the bottom of the right circle. Rempel went high on Saal for his 14th goal of the season, ending the goaltender's night.

Arkansas got within 3-2 just 41 seconds into the second, as Hartlieb took a rebound of a Matt Pagnutti shot on the power play.

Louisiana extended back to a two-goal advantage at the 7:23 mark on a 4-on-4 situation. Richardson won the draw in the right circle to Goneau, who crossed over with his centerman and, with a defender draped all over him, got a quick wrister far post past St. John.

The IceGators went up 5-2 with 2:33 left in the second. Goneau took a pass from Rod Sarich and walked in on St. John in the right circle. Goneau's shot went off Smith's stick, high over St. John, who had a chance on the changeup just because of the deflection.

Boogaard got in his first pro fight with 2:25 gone in the third, as he and Scott locked up at center ice. Boogaard eventually got three good rights in on Scott before falling onto the ice on top of him.

"As a team we skate with a lot more confidence when (Boogaard's) out there," said IceGators head coach and vice president of hockey operations Dave Farrish. "I think all our guys grow a couple of inches in stature with him on the team. We know there won't be anybody taking liberties with us."

Arkansas had a chance to get back in the game when Richardson was whistled for a five-minute boarding major at the 10:12 mark, but nearly two minutes into the penalty, Garry Toor – who was checked into the boards by Richardson – was called for cross-checking.

The IceGators finished the scoring just 13 seconds after Richardson's major expired, as McNeil left a drop pass to Brown along the right wing, and Brown walked in and unleashed a shot that beat St. John stick side for the 6-2 margin.

There were 52 minutes in penalties handed out at the 17:02 mark of the third, as Damon Whitten took on Boogaard along the boards. Jeff Worlton and Eric Long also picked up majors on the play, and Worlton picked up an aggressor penalty and a pair of game misconducts.

Gator Bites

McNeil has scored Louisiana's first goal in 10 games this season, and the first goal of the game in six contests. Eleven of his 20 goals have given the IceGators the lead.

Brown has assisted on six of McNeil's goals this season.

McNeil has scored six of his 20 goals this season against Saal, his former teammate.

The IceGators have outscored their opponents 51-29 in the second period this season after a 2-1 advantage tonight.

Richardson fought Renzi early on, moving him past the 900-penalty minute mark for his pro career.

Louisiana finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while the RiverBlades went 1-for-6.

The IceGators have scored in the game's opening 90 seconds in five of the last eight games.



ECHL Stories from December 21, 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