Stuart's Two Goals Lift IceGators over Peoria
February 23, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, La.--Another night brought another strong defensive performance for the Louisiana IceGators.
The team held the Peoria Rivermen to four shots on goal in the first period and two shots on goal in the third en route to a 4-1 victory in the Cajundome. Adam Stuart led the team with two goals and two assists.
The IceGators' special teams unit also gave a spectacular performance, converting one of their four power play opportunities and killing Peoria's four extra-man opportunities.
The two teams will meet again next weekend in Peoria for a two-game set. The first game takes place Friday night at 7:05 p.m.
"The boys played another solid 60 minutes--another stingy, defensive 60 minutes," IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski said. "I though we came out with a lot of jump in the first period. We played hard and smart and were relentless. We got away from that in the second period and got a little bit too fancy. We got a case of 'dangleitis,' but Kiefer Smiley was big for us.
"We settled down in the third. We didn't panic when they scored, and we came up big on the power play and on the empty net."
Stuart's two goals came in the first period--one 40 seconds into the frame, and the other at the 10:31 mark. Shawn McNeil assisted on both plays. Tyler Lyon assisted on the first, while Ron Cramer received an assist credit on the later goal.
Peoria cut the IceGator lead in half with 11:25 remaining in regulation when Steve Moora scored off assists from Garrett Vermeersch and Matt Viola.
The IceGators responded five minutes later Kirk Byczynski recorded a power play goal to give Louisiana a 3-1 lead.
Ron Cramer tacked on another insurance goal by scoring an empty-netter with 13 seconds remaining in the game.
Kaminski said his team has found its path to success and must stick to it to remain victorious.
"We have keep executing our systems and being tenacious," Kaminski said. "We have to keep working hard and smart and staying in our positions. We have to stay mentally and physically ready and keep going to war and finding ways to win."
SPHL Stories from February 23, 2014
- Stuart Collects Four Points as IceGators Top Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Jones Scores Twice; RiverKings Knock off Columbus - Mississippi RiverKings
- Stuart Collects Four Points as IceGators Top Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Stuart's Two Goals Lift IceGators over Peoria - Louisiana IceGators
- Thunder Lose Early Lead, Fall to Ice Bears - Bloomington Thunder
- Mississippi RiverKings Holds on for 4-2 Win against Columbus - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Offense Slows in 1-0 Loss to IceGators - Peoria Rivermen
- Ice Flyers Come from Behind, Down Surge 3-2 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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