RiverKings Complete Comeback, Beat IceGators
January 22, 2016 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss.--The Louisiana IceGators learned the hard way Friday night that no lead is ever safe in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The IceGators blew a two-goal advantage in the final 12 minutes of the game, giving up three goals--including one with 12 seconds left on the clock--to lose to the Mississippi RiverKings 3-2. Matt Harrington emerged as the hero, scoring the game-winner on a power play in the waning seconds of the contest.
The IceGators and the RiverKings will meet again Saturday night in the Landers Center. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
"We outplayed them for 49 minutes, and then we went back to playing free-wheeling hockey," a frustrated IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli said. "As you can see, that free-wheeling style doesn't suit us well. I give Mississippi all the credit. They are depleted, but their heart won the battle."
The IceGators jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Alex Hudson scored his first goal of the season at the 7:52 mark of the first period off feeds from Jake Hauswirth and Ben Kramer.
Louisiana doubled its lead with 2:25 remaining in the second period when Jeremy Boyer scored a highlight-reel power play goal off a pass from Zac Frischmon.
The third period belonged to the RiverKings.
Troy Polino put Mississippi on the scoreboard 8:35 into the final frame with an unassisted goal. Three minutes later, Michael Beaudry tied the game off assists from Polino and Bryan Dallaire. A late tripping penalty against Louisiana set up Harrington's game-winner, which came off assists from Donald Olivieri and Max Cook.
"We gave away two big points," Omicioli said. "It's our fault and our fault only."
SPHL Stories from January 22, 2016
- RiverKings Complete Comeback, Beat IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Flyers Create Havoc in Huntsville, Win 4-1 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Rivermen Win 12th Straight 6-3 at Columbus Friday - Peoria Rivermen
- RiverKings Win on Last-Minute Goal from Harrington - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings Add Dallaire and Stouffer - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rivermen Game Notes at Columbus - Peoria Rivermen
- Mayhem Suffers First Home Shutout - Macon Mayhem
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