RiverKings Edge IceGators 3-2
December 27, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
LAFAYETTE, La.--2014 is ending on a sour note for the Louisiana IceGators.
Despite jumping out a 1-0 lead in the second period, the Mississippi RiverKings fought back to win 3-2 in the Cajundome to sweep the weekend home-and-home series between the teams.
The loss is the third-consecutive loss for the IceGators, who are clinging to the fourth-seed in the SPHL standings. They return to action next Friday night when they host the Columbus Cottonmouths to kick off 2015. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
"Where do I start - asked IceGators head coach Drew Omicioli after the game. "This is not the right group of guys we need to play 60 minutes. We do not have consistency in our work ethic, we don't follow the details of our systems, and we don't have the the will to win. We continue to take undisciplined penalties and get beat by teams that should never beat us.
"We're not fulfilling our obligations to the team and each other in our particular roles. Inconsistency and abandoning a simple game plan are major issues for us. If we play the same way we did when we played Pensacola earlier in the month, then we'd be unbeatable."
The IceGators drew first blood with an Adam Stuart power play goal at the 8:20 mark of the second period. Shawn McNeil and Luke Kasteel assisted on the play.
Twenty seconds later, Dylan Quaile tied the game off a Luke Warner assist.
The RiverKings took a 2-1 lead on a Sean Jones power play goal at the 14:41 mark of the frame. Matt Whitehead assisted on the play.
Tyler Klein knotted the score at the 16:04 mark off assists from McNeil and Matt Viola.
Linden Bahm scored the eventual game-winner at the 7:33 mark of the third period off assists from Devin Mantha and Dan Delisle.
In addition to losing the game, the IceGators lost a key member of their team. Tanner Burton left the game early with a concussion. No timetable is set on his return.
Omicioli says that no one on his team is safe from being cut, waived, or traded following tonight's performance.
"I've sat back and have been too loyal too loyal to players that are popular, but that changes now," Omicioli said. "I need to find guys who can win. When we play a simple game with our natural talent, we can be successful. We have to be mentally sharp, but we were as dull as you can be. That's my fault as a coach. We need to keep working on playing a simple game, and that's what I'll continue to do until we get it right.
"We play Mississippi three more times (this season). Hopefully, I'll have the right players on the right page by then, because tonight, we got beat by a team with less talent but 10 times the work ethic we have. At the end of the day, when people see our team play with as poor of a work ethic as we showed tonight, it's going to make for bad hockey for the fans to watch."
SPHL Stories from December 27, 2014
- Ice Bears Take 5 of 6 Points from Fayetteville - Knoxville Ice Bears
- RiverKings Edge IceGators 3-2 - Louisiana IceGators
- Columbus Survives Peoria Comeback, Wins 3-1 - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Cottonmouths End Rivermen Streak - Peoria Rivermen
- Harrington Becomes RiverKings First Call Up - Mississippi RiverKings
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