Surge Snaps IceGators' Win Streak in Overtime
February 14, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, Louisiana - The Louisiana IceGators' hearts were broken on Valentines Day. The Mississippi Surge snapped the IceGators' five-game win streak in a 2-1 overtime decision. James Isaacs scored the game-winner at the 2:12 mark of the extra period.
The first period was marked by inconsistent play by the IceGators and heavy shooting from the Surge. Mississippi capitalized on multiple turnovers to outshoot Louisiana 20-6 in the opening 20 minutes. Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn converted one of those shots to give the Surge a 1-0 lead thirteen minutes into the game. The IceGators found their stride in the second period and returned to the dominating defense they displayed during their win streak. The Gators held the Surge to only four shots in the period. Special teams play was also spectacular in the second, as Tyler Lyon scored on a powerplay to tie the game midway through the period. The game went into overtime following a scoreless see-saw battle in the third. Isaacs won the game for the Surge on a goal that many in the stands felt should have been disallowed. The net seemed to be dislodged before the puck trickled past B. J. O'Brien. The referee ruled the puck crossed the goal line prior to the net coming loose, thereby confirming the goal.
"Obviously, we weren't focused or prepared in the first period," said IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "They came out flying. I don't know if we thought it would be easy or if we forget how we were successful (during the win streak)." Kaminski noted his team's play improved over the course of the game. "They responded in the second and third period," he said. "We didn't play our best, but we played a lot better."
Kaminski claims his team had several chances to take the lead but didn't execute. "I thought we had great opportunities in the slot, but we didn't shoot," he said. "We tried to pass and get cute. When you're in the slot, you need to shoot." Kaminski also credits goaltender B. J. O'Brien for keeping his team in the game. "B. J. weathered the storm for us," he said. "He kept us in the first period. He made some big saves and gave us an opportunity to give us a point." Kaminski added, "Our F3 got overexcited an allowed a few odd-man rushes. B. J. made a [great] save on one of them. It's a good thing he was focused tonight because he saved our bacon."
The IceGators will face off against the Surge in three of their next five games, including the next home game on Friday, February 24. The IceGators return to the ice Thursday night. They will travel to Pensacola to take on the Ice Flyers. That game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 P. M.
SPHL Stories from February 14, 2012
- RiverHawks Soar to Win in Third Period - Augusta RiverHawks
- Surge Snaps IceGators' Win Streak in Overtime - Louisiana IceGators
- Winning Streak Pushed to Three - Mississippi RiverKings
- Isaacs Lifts Surge in Overtime - Mississippi Surge
- 'Gators Netminder BJ O'Brien Named SBK Player of the Week - SPHL
- RiverKings Fans to Enjoy Food & Drink Specials, Valentine's Giveaways - Mississippi RiverKings
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