Pilots sweep Gators 5-2

January 8, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


Pensacola, FL- The Pensacola Ice Pilots scored 2 shorthanded goals and two power play goals on Saturday night as the Louisiana IceGators remained winless in 2005 falling 5-2 in "The Hangar". Tyler Beechey led the way for the home team with two goals and two assists.

The Ice Pilots dominated the first period, outshooting the Gators 19-8 and earning a 1-0 lead after the first 30 minutes. The only goal of the period coming at 2:51 as Tyler Beechey scored shorthanded, stealing a pass through the neutral zone and then beating Nathan Marsters with backhander on the breakaway. It was Beechey's 17th of the season and the 2nd shorthanded goal the Gators have allowed to Pensacola this season.

The 2nd period was dominated by the power play as three goals were scored in the period , all with a man in the penalty box. At 4:18 Jason Beckett made the score 2-0, as his wrist shot went over the glove of Martsters and into the net. It was Beckett's 3rd of the season as Aaron Phillips and Beechey assisted on the goal. The Gators cut the lead to one at 14:49 when Jade Galbraith scored his first goal for his new team. Galbraith redirected a slap shot from Pascal Pelletier past Frederic Cloutier to make the score 2-1. It was Galbraith's 5th of the season as Josh Barker was credited with the other helper. The deficit would not stay close for long, as all-star defenseman Corey Neilson blasted a one-timer, his 6th, at 17:51 for a 3-1 Pensacola lead after 40 minutes.

In the 3rd period Pensacola scored 2 more goals including another short handed goal, this one by Nick Lingberg (7) at 2:52. Max Fortunus added a short handed goal (4) for Louisiana at 3:35 but the Gators would get no closer as Beechey (18) closed out the scoring at 7:27. Louisiana falls to 14-15-3 and 5th place in the South. The Gators were outshot 50-25, the most shots allowed by the team this season. Power plays were 1-7 for the Gators and 2-6 for the Ice Pilots. The Gators will travel overnight to Augusta for a 3:05 CST Sunday contest with the Augusta Lynx.

Coming Up At Home

Friday, January 14, 2005 NASCAR Night, Gators vs. Sea Wolves 7:05pm: The ONLY home game of the month in on January 14, when the Gators host the Mississippi Sea Wolves on NASCAR night. Dale Earhardt Jr's #8 race car will be on display during the game. Pictures can be taken with the car for $10, net proceeds to benefit St. Jude's hospital. The Gators will be wearing special "NASCAR" jerseys which will auctioned off after the game. For ticket information call the IceGators office at (337) 234-4423.



ECHL Stories from January 8, 2005


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