Shortstaffed IceGators go 2-1-0, lead by six

Published on February 10, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Week in review: LA 3, BR 0; LA 4, PEN 2; PEN 6, LA 4

Louisiana entered the week with only 15 skaters and had to try and kill of a total of 35 penalties in the three games last week. The IceGators killed off 31 of those shorthanded chances, going 2-1-0 - losing steam in Sunday's 6-4 home loss to Pensacola.

Sunday, Gregor Baumgartner recorded the first regular-season opponent hat trick at the Cajundome in 2 ½ seasons, leading the Pensacola Ice Pilots to a 6-4 victory over the penalty-plagued IceGators. Pensacola, a night after enjoying a 14-2 power play advantage, held a 16-4 edge with the man advantage.

Greg Pankewicz had two goals and Kerry Ellis-Toddington also scored for the Ice Pilots, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10.

Bobby Brown had a goal and two assists and Derek Gustafson made 35 saves in his second start for the IceGators, who had their unbeaten streak snapped at six games (4-0-2). Louisiana is winless in three straight home games (0-1-2) for just the sixth time in franchise history, not counting forfeits.

Daniel Goneau, Chris Taliercio and Shawn McNeil also scored for Louisiana, which in addition to having to kill off 16 power plays - the second most in team history - finished the game short two players due to game misconducts and with another - Taliercio - in the locker room for a 10-minute misconduct.

Louisiana was somehow able to win Saturday's game in Pensacola 4-2, despite the 14-2 difference in power plays.

Brown completed his fourth career hat trick in the opening 14:40, and Gustafson made 18 of his 33 saves in the third period for his 50th pro win, as Louisiana overcame the 12-power-play difference for its second straight road win. Nathan Rempel also scored, while Goneau and McNeil chipped in two assists apiece for the IceGators.

Things started out rosy over the weekend for the IceGators on Friday, as they got 27 saves from Kyle Kettles in a 3-0 shut out in Baton Rouge. Kettles moved into a tie for the league lead with three shutouts, with two coming at the Riverside Centroplex.

Brown, McNeil and Kenny Corupe supplied the offense, as Louisiana scored a goal in each period. The IceGators did enjoy an 8-5 advantage on the power play in the game.

In first place, and magic number down to 10 - Louisiana, with 68 points, holds a six-point lead over Mississippi for first place in the Southwest Division. Pensacola is in third place with 61, while Arkansas is fourth with 60. The IceGators' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 10 points - a combination of their points and points lost by Baton Rouge. The Kingfish, who play host to Mississippi on Thursday before heading into the Cajundome Friday, could still accumulate 77 points.

Kettles sets franchise record - Rookie Kyle Kettles started 12 straight games in net for Louisiana (January 4-February 7), establishing a new franchise-record, before Derek Gustafson played Saturday night in Pensacola. Kettles' 12-game streak was one game better than Marc Delorme's 11-game span from February 19-March 13, 1996. Kettles enjoyed success in the span, going 7-3-2. The longest streak this season by an ECHL goalie is 13, set by two players, most recently Columbia's Josh Blackburn

Coming attractions:

FRI, LA vs. BR, 7:05 p.m.

"Have a Heart Night"

The IceGators will be wearing special Valentine's Day jerseys to be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Booster Club. Also, the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, along with 97.3 The Dawg, will be giving away 1,000 Heart Pucks. Also, it's Buy one ticket, get one free (off adult ticket price) when you bring a date to the box office.

SAT, LA @ PEN, 7:05 p.m.

The red-hot Ice Pilots split two games with the IceGators last week. Louisiana is 1-2-1 in four games in Pensacola.

SUN, LA vs. MIS, 4:05 p.m.

"Youth jersey giveaway"

The Sea Wolves enter the week in second place. The first 1,000 kids 12 and under will receive a T-shirt jersey, sponsored by KP Athletics, B.J.'s Pizza and Planet Radio. Also, starting at 1 p.m. outside is the March of Dimes' "Board Break 2003"

They keep killing, and killing - The IceGators yielded 14 power play attempts on Saturday in Pensacola and 16 against the Ice Pilots at home on Sunday. Both of those games are in the top four in franchise history. Sunday's performance was the second most power plays ever allowed by an IceGators team, falling short only of Nashville's 5-for-19 game on November 21, 1995, in Louisiana's first season. The 14 power plays yielded on Saturday are now the fourth most in team history. Knoxville went 5-for-15 in the IceGators' first-ever game, on October 13, 1995, for the third most shorthanded chances in one game. The 14 power plays allowed Saturday were the second most on the road in team history, with the Knoxville game also coming on the road. Overall, Louisiana killed an impressive 88.6 percent of its opponents' power plays last week.

In the community - Jeff Worlton and Chris Taliercio will be visiting Daspit Elementary in New Iberia on Monday to thank the school for participating in the "Nickel Harvest Campaign." Wednesday, six IceGators will be going to Fort Polk to give a hockey clinic to the troops and their children. Chomp Time will feature the visit in an upcoming episode.

McNeil's 70 points tied for second in ECHL - Shawn McNeil enters the week with 70 points (30g, 40a), tied for second in the ECHL along with Reading's Brian McCullough and Columbia's Rejean Stringer. Arkansas forward Buddy Smith leads all scorers with 73 points (22g, 51a). McNeil's 30 goals are tied for third, trailing only Pensacola's Greg Pankewicz (32) and Peoria's Tyler Rennette (31). Overall, Louisiana has three scorers in the top 12, counting Bruce Richardson, who is in Hershey. Daniel Goneau has 64 points (21g, 43a), tied for eighth with Reading's Brad Rooney. Goneau's 43 assists are in fifth place, eight in back of Smith's league-leading total.

Jersey auction - The Boy Scout commemorative jerseys from February 1are being auctioned off via www.icegators.com. The auction will run through Wednesday, February 26 at noon central time (not February 21 as previously announced), and remember, the purchase after the first $100 is tax deductible. All jerseys will be autographed.

Hat trick happenings - The IceGators already have five hat tricks this season (Bobby Brown, Shawn McNeil, Nathan Rempel, Bruce Richardson and Tony Tuzzolino). Last season, they had only four and in 2000-01, they finished with two. The five different players with hat tricks ties the team record, set in 1995-96 and in 1997-98. The five total hat tricks are the most for the IceGators since 1999-2000 (six). Louisiana's team record for hat tricks is 14, set in 1995-96.

Brown hits the 200 point mark in ECHL - Bobby Brown's goal Friday night was the 200th point of his ECHL career. Brown now has 97 goals and 109 assists in 238 ECHL games while playing for four different teams.

Don't go down by two men - Louisiana has allowed 16 goals when down 5-on-3 this season, while scoring nine 5-on-3 tallies.

Player of the Week Nominees

Forward Bobby Brown -

Had seven points (5g, 2a), including a hat trick, and was a plus-five in leading IceGators to 2-1-0 mark...Friday, scored game's second goal in 3-0 win at BR...Saturday, notched fourth career hat trick (including game-winner) - with all goals coming in the opening 14:40 - of 4-2 win in PEN...Sunday, picked up goal and two helpers in 6-4 loss to PEN...Has 12 points (7g, 5a) in five-game point streak...Fourth on team with 55 points.

Goaltender Kyle Kettles -

Won only appearance last week, stopping 27 shots for third shutout in 3-0 win at BR on Friday...Three shutouts are tied for the ECHL lead...Is 12-5-6 with a 2.79 goals against average - good for 12th in the league...Franchise-record run of 12 straight starts was snapped Saturday...Went 7-3-2 in those starts...Sports a .911 save percentage...Five regulation losses are the third fewest among the top 20 goalies in the ECHL.

Don't forget to watch Chomp Time, the weekly television show dedicated to the Louisiana IceGators.

Andy Davis hosts Chomp Time, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on Fox-15.

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

IceGators' Practice schedule:

Monday - Off

Tuesday - 10-11:30, HockeyPlex

Wednesday - 10-11:30, HockeyPlex

Thursday - 10-11:30, Cajundome

Friday - 10-11, Cajundome, vs. BR 7:05

Saturday - pre-game skate in PEN, at PEN 7:05

Sunday - vs. MIS 4:05

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ECHL Stories from February 10, 2003


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