Special Teams Lift IceGators to Victory
February 22, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, La. --The Louisiana IceGators went back to basics Saturday night, relying on their special teams play to carry them to victory.
The IceGators scored the only goal of the night on a power play and killed four penalties en route to a 1-0 win over the Peoria Rivermen. Adam Stuart recorded the game-winner at the 14:57 mark of the second period off assists from Shawn McNeil and Jeremy Boyer.
The IceGators and the Rivermen will meet again Sunday afternoon in the Cajundome. Game time is set for 3:05 p.m.
"The guys responded [to Friday's loss] with a superb team defense," IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski said. "We didn't give up much. We really boxed out and blocked shots. Our special teams won us the game by killing a late penalty.
"We played a hard-nosed, smart game. We gave up no odd man rushes, and our turnovers were minimal. We stayed composed and had good sticks on the puck."
Kaminski also had high words of praise for goalie Kiefer Smiley, who picked up his fourth shutout of the year by stopping all 17 of the Rivermen's shots.
"Smiley was solid," Kaminski said. "He never gave up any rebounds."
Kaminski says he wants to see more of the same type of play from his team during Sunday's rematch.
"We need another big effort and win," Kaminski said. "This will be one of our games in hand, so we have to demand winning ways."
SPHL Stories from February 22, 2014
- Pensacola vanquishes Mississippi Surge in shootout, 3-2 (2-0 SO) - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Pensacola Wins in Shootout - Mississippi Surge
- Special Teams Lift IceGators to Victory - Louisiana IceGators
- Columbus Scores 5 Unanswered to Down Fayetteville, 5-2 - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Huntsville Takes Second Straight over RiverKings - Mississippi RiverKings
- Huntsville Hangs On, Beats Mississippi RiverKings 1-0 - Huntsville Havoc
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