Richardson charms Snakes

Published on November 23, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, LA – Bruce Richardson (pictured in tonight's game) exploded for his first career four-goal game – the team's first in 3 1/2 seasons – and set a new career-high with five points, as the Louisiana IceGators rode a four-goal second period to a 7-3 rout of the Columbus Cottonmouths at the Cajundome. The teams meet again Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

Daniel Goneau celebrated his 400th pro game with a career-high tying four assists, while Tony Tuzzolino had a goal and two helpers for the IceGators, who earned their third straight win and fifth in six tries. Shawn Skiehar and Shawn McNeil also scored and Kyle Kettles made 26 saves for his second straight win.

Richardson, who had two power play goals, a shorthanded and an even-strength tally, registered the 50th hat trick in team history and just the sixth game by an IceGator with four or more goals. The last Louisiana player with four goals was John Spoltore on March 26, 1999. He had never before registered a hat trick, and his previous high of points was four, all assists, on October 27 of this season in a 6-1 win over Jackson.

Richardson, whose father Rick and son Blake were on the ice for his No. 1 star presentation, picked up the 24th five-point game in team history and the first in nearly two seasons. The last was on December 9, 2000, against Birmingham, as both Chris Valicevic (5a) and Ryan Shanahan (2g, 3a) notched five points. Richardson is the 12th player with five or more points as an IceGator.

Matus Kostur yielded three goals on 14 shots for Columbus, which has dropped a season-high four straight. Mike Morrison turned aside 14-of-18 shots in relief of Kostur, while Mike Bishai scored two goals and Ryan Risidore added a tally for the Cottonmouths.

The line of Richardson, Goneau and Tuzzolino combined for 12 points, and wasted little time setting the tone. Tuzzolino started the game's first scoring play with a shot from between the circles. The shot was knocked down in front, and Goneau tried to put the puck past Kostur. The rookie netminder made the save, but the puck bounced right to Richardson on the left doorstep. Richardson had little problem poking the puck into the empty net at the 3:34 mark for the 1-0 lead.

The IceGators then struggled to get shots off, taking just one in the rest of the period. Kettles stood strong, though, making his best save with 5:56 left, when Mike Lee unleashed a wrister from the center point in transition. Kettles got a piece of the puck with his blocker, and it popped up in the air. Kettles settled with his glove for the faceoff.

Kettles entered the game averaging 1.75 goals allowed in the first period this season, but escaped the stanza unscathed.

Skiehar made it 2-0 with his second goal in as many games at the 3:04 mark of the second period. Semir Ben-Amor, coming off his first professional goal Friday – a game-winner – intercepted a Columbus pass at the blueline and fed Skiehar. Skiehar took time to settle and fired a low shot that went five-hole in Kostur.

Just 1:03 later, on the power play, Tuzzolino scored his second in as many nights. Richardson collected a loose puck behind the net and got it to Goneau at the bottom of the right circle. Goneau fed Tuzzolino in the middle of the circle, and Tuzzolino's shot eluded Kostur – also ending the netminder's night.

Richardson scored shorthanded at the 6:30 mark with a highlight-reel goal for a 4-0 lead. Richardson stole the puck at center ice and carried it into the zone along the right boards, guarded closely by two Cottonmouths. Richardson's first attempted was stuffed by Morrison, but persistence paid off as Richardson again poked at the puck on his way by and snuck it between Morrison's left skate and the post.

Richardson completed the hat trick at 9:13 on the power play. Kevin Mitchell launched a shot from the left point, and Richardson redirected it from between the circles past a screened Morrison.

Richardson nearly picked up his fourth goal with 6:07 left in the second on a partial breakaway, but was hooked off the play at the last second and Morrison covered up his shot.

Just 13 seconds later, Columbus finally cracked the scoreboard. Bishai streaked into the Louisiana zone between defenders and got a low shot by Kettles at the 14:06 mark.

Bishai was also responsible for the Cottonmouths' second goal, which came also came on the power play, at 3:34 of the third. Darren Tiemstra tried to feed Bishai from below the right circle to Bishai in the doorstep to the left of Kettles. The puck went off Brent Cullaton's stick right to Bishai, who poked the puck past Kettles.

The IceGators responded at the 7:23 mark, when McNeil, on the right wing, one-timed a cross-ice pass from Goneau glove side on Morrison.

Richardson finished off the career night at the 16:51 mark on the power play. Richardson camped himself out in front of the net with Goneau controlling in the right corner. Goneau slipped a pass to his childhood friend, double-teamed in the slot, and the 5-foot-9, 175-pound center tucked the puck under Morrison.

Columbus accounted for the final margin with Risidore's goal at the 17:25 mark.

Gator Bites:

Richardson had scored two goals in a game twice previously, the last time on October 15, 2000, with Louisiana against Tallahassee.

Richardson, who jumped from third on the team in points to first with 23 (9g, 14a) tonight, has both of the IceGators four or more point games this season.

Richardson has 18 points (8g, 10a) in eight home games.

Richardson's first point was his 50th as an IceGator.

Richardson is the second ECHL player this season with four goals, joining Columbia's Justin Morrison on October 24. He is the sixth player with five points, the last being Trenton's Adam Edinger last night.

The IceGators are 48-2 all-time when one of their players gets a hat trick.

Skiehar had just one ECHL goal in 41 games before his last contest, November 13 at Jackson. He now has goals in back-to-back games, having served a three-game ECHL suspension from November 15 until last night.

Goneau got his second three-or more point game of the season, having picked up a goal and two assists in a 6-1 win over Jackson on October 27.

The IceGators' team record for goals in a period is five, set several times, last on January 28, 1999, against Mobile.

Columbus had earned a pair of 4-3 wins – one in a shootout – over Louisiana earlier this month. Goneau now has 242 points (116g, 126a) in 400 games, counting European contests.

Tuzzolino's last three-point game was on December 5, 2001, against Worcester with Providence. Tuzzolino registered a goal and two assists in that game.

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