Season, home opener streaks intact as IceGators win two

October 20, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Week in review: LA 3, MIS 2 (SO); LA 2, MIS 1

The Louisiana IceGators continued their amazing season- and home-opener streaks over the weekend, taking two straight games from Mississippi.

Friday in Biloxi, the IceGators won their fifth straight season opener and eighth of nine overall, recovering from a late game-tying goal by the Sea Wolves to win 3-2 in a shootout.

Saturday at the Cajundome, Louisiana remained perfect in home openers, taking another one-goal decision from Mississippi, this time a 2-1 win.

Friday, Louisiana rookie Jamie Johnson scored the game-winning goal in the shootout and Derek Gustafson turned away former IceGator Louis Dumont to secure the victory at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Bobby Brown scored the first of his two goals just 42 seconds into the season's first game and Kenny Corupe added two assists for the IceGators. For the Sea Wolves, captain Steffon Walby tied the game with 36 seconds left and Jeff Hutchins also scored.

Saturday in front of 6,025 fans, Konstantin Kalmikov scored both Louisiana goals, including the game-winner with 2:07 remaining in regulation. Both of Kalmikov's goals came on the power play.

Josh Mizerek picked up two assists in the win, while 2001-02 ECHL Most Valuable Player Frederic Cloutier was sharp, stopping 26 of 27 shots sent his way.

Mississippi's Greg Gardner picked up his second straight hard-luck loss, making 36 saves. The Sea Wolves allowed Kalmikov's game-winning goal after a penalty for too many men on the ice.

The IceGators improved to 30-18-8 all-time against Mississippi, including a 12-3-1 mark in the last 16 games. The IceGators wrapped up weekend No. 1 of the regular season with four points, tied with Columbus for first place in the ECHL's Central Division.

Coming attractions:

TUE, Coach's Show, 7-8 p.m.

Join Bruce LeVine and Dave Farrish as they recap last week's action and look ahead to the upcoming road trip. It's the Dave Farrish Show, Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on Newsradio 105.1 KPEL. Josh Mizerek and Kevin Holdridge are this week's special guests.

FRI, LA @ FLA, 6:30 p.m.

The IceGators begin a light portion of their schedule, as they play just three games in the next 19 days, all on the road. The first two contests in that trip are Friday and Saturday in Naples, Fla., where Louisiana will take on the Florida Everblades. The IceGators have just one win in five trips to TECO Arena, going 1-3-1. Louisiana did win in its last trip to TECO, as Frederic Cloutier's 31 saves led the IceGators to a 4-2 victory. All-time against the Everblades, Louisiana is 6-3-2. Last season, Florida played twice at the Cajundome, with the IceGators going 1-0-1 in those games. Florida comes off a 2-1-0 weekend, when the team scored a league-best 15 goals but also yielded 12. NOTE: Friday's game will be on KRKA 107.9 FM.

SAT, LA @ FLA, 6:30 p.m.

The IceGators wrap up the brief stint in Florida with the second game in as many nights against the Everblades. Saturday's game will be back on Newsradio 105.1 KPEL-FM.

Make sure to follow the IceGators on 105.1 KPEL-FM, and also via the Internet at www.icegators.com.

October success continues - The IceGators improved to 37-14-5 all-time in October with Saturday's win over Mississippi. That victory also assured Louisiana of another perfect October at the Cajundome. With a convention in the arena starting late this week, the IceGators won't return to the Cajundume until November 9. Louisiana is 15-2-1 all-time at home in October, with the two regulation losses due to forfeit. The only time the IceGators walked off the Cajundome ice in October without a win was October 17, 2001, when Mike Tamburro backstopped Jackson to a 1-0 shootout win.

Masa three points from 500 in pro career - Louisiana left wing Martin Masa is just three points shy of 500 as he enters his 10th pro season. Masa, at 30 the eldest statesman in the IceGators locker room, has 497 points (211g, 286a) in 575 pro games beginning in 1994-95. Masa, who was a member of Greenville's 2002 Kelly Cup winning team, has more career game-winning goals (32) than all of his teammates, except Bobby Brown, have goals in the ECHL. Masa has most victimized South Carolina, with four game-winners. Masa was held without a point in each of the IceGators' first two games.

Cloutier returns, dominates - Third-year netminder Frederic Cloutier returned to the Cajundome Saturday, and he didn't disappoint the IceGators faithful. Cloutier, the 2001-02 ECHL Most Valuable Player, turned away 26 shots in a 2-1 win over Mississippi. Cloutier, who picked up his 49th career win in his 75th pro appearance, improved to 3-0-0 in home openers. His goals against average is 1.33 in those three home openers. Cloutier lowered his IceGators and ECHL goals against average to 2.33 in the victory. That's second-best all-time in the ECHL, trailing only Curtis Sanford's 2.17. Cloutier is a noted quick starter. He is 8-0-1 all-time in October games, and the only contest he lost was a 1-0 shootout decision on October 17, 2001, against Jackson.

Brown lights them up early - Louisiana captain Bobby Brown has 39 goals in his season and two games with the team, and 21 of them have come in the first period (53.8 percent).

These kids can play - The IceGators have eight players on their team born in 1980 or later. Louisiana's youngest player is Armands Berzins, who won't turn 20 until December 27. The IceGators had five players make their pro debut Friday night.

October a busy time in the community - With the schedule light in October for the IceGators, the team is taking the opportunity to get out in the community. Today, four players will visit Katherine Drexel Elementary in Broussard as part of Red Ribbon Week. Saturday, Clawd will appear at Special Olympics. Next week, the IceGators Speaking Tour continues with the Lafayette North Rotary, while the team will also go to Breaux Bridge Primary's Red Ribbon Week.

Farrish fourth among active ECHL coaches with 140 wins - IceGators head coach Dave Farrish is 140-56-22 with the team after two wins last week. He is fourth among active ECHL coaches in victories in the league, behind Greenville's John Marks (340), Greensboro's Rick Adduono (198) and Reading's Derek Clancey (145). Farrish's 140 wins are just 30 shy of Doug Shedden's team record.

Happy to be victorious, even if Walby scores – Mississippi captain Steffon Walby continued to terrorize the IceGators over the weekend, scoring two goals in two games despite Louisiana's two wins. In 20 career games against the IceGators, Walby has 24 points, including an astounding total of 15 goals. Walby has failed to pick up a point against Louisiana just three times. Walby has six power play goals, two shorthanded tallies and two game-winners versus the IceGators.

Don't even try to come back - The IceGators won two more games last week when holding a lead after two periods. In the three-year Dave Farrish era, Louisiana has dropped just five games in regulation when leading after 40 minutes. The IceGators are 104-5-4 when taking a lead into the third period under Farrish. Just two of those regulation losses have come since 2001-02.

Player of the Week Nominees

Right wing Konstantin Kalmikov - Netted two power play goals, including game-winner with 2:07 left in regulation, in 2-1 win over Mississippi in home opener...Seven of 23 goals in IceGators uniform have been game-winners (30.4 percent)...Team is 17-1-0 all-time when he scores a goal and 35-3-0 when he records a point...IceGators are 15-0-0 when Kalmikov puts two or more points on the scoresheet...Spent most of last season with AHL Bridgeport.

Goaltender Frederic Cloutier - Ran all-time October record to 8-0-1 with impressive 26-save performance in 2-1 win over Mississippi on Saturday...Took shutout into third period, yielding only a power play goal to Steffon Walby...Save percentage was .963 in game...ECHL goals against average of 2.33 is second all-time (Curtis Sanford, 2.17)...2001-02 ECHL Most Valuable Player has career mark of 45-11-7 in IceGators uniform...Next win will be 50th of pro career.

IceGators' Practice schedule:
Monday - 10-11:30, Cajundome
Tuesday - 10-11:30, Cajundome
Wednesday - 10-11:30, Cajundome, 7 p.m. - Depart for Florida
Thursday - at TECO Arena
Friday - at FLA, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday - at FLA, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday - Travel Day



ECHL Stories from October 20, 2003


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