Trask OT Goal Lifts IceGators over Pensacola
December 13, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, La.--Chris Wilson has had a hot hand so far this season. The IceGators' leading scorer's hot streak continued tonight against the Pensacola IceFlyers.
Wilson scored back-to-back goals in the third period, including one with 17 seconds left in regulation, to pull the IceGators out of a two-goal hole en route to a 4-3 overtime victory over the IceFlyers.
Jake Trask scored the game-winner with 34 seconds remaining in the extra frame off an assist from Tyler Lyon.
The IceGators return to the ice next weekend with a two-game road trip against the Huntsville Havoc. The first game in the series takes place Friday at 7:05 p.m.
"What a great finish!" exclaimed IceGators head coach Kevin Kaminski. "Compared to last night's great start and bad ending, we played just okay and spotted them two goals.
"We found life in the third and put more pressure on them and got more results after Wilson scored his first goal."
Pensacola jumped out to a 2-0 early in the first period. Adam Pawlick drew first blood only 55 seconds into the game, while Brett Lutes tacked on a shorthanded goal at the 8:10 mark.
Kirk Byczynski pulled Louisiana within a goal by scoring on a power play with 3:08 left in the frame.
Steve Whitely gave the IceFlyers a 3-1 lead by scoring the only goal of the second period at the 10:13 mark of the frame.
Kaminski says he never gave up hope despite trailing in the second intermission.
"I told the guys after the second period that I believed in them and our foundation, but that it was up to execute the game plan."
The IceGators came through with the execution.
Wilson scored his first goal with 7:58 remaining in regulation off assists from Matt Robertson and Shawn McNeil. He tied the game with a power play goal at 19:43 of the third period off assists from Robertson and Brett Peppler.
Trask's goal came following a heads-up play by Lyon, who found Trask in the open to score.
Kaminski says he was impressed by his team's composure down the stretch.
"There's one thing we can control, and that's our work ethic," Kaminski said. "The strategy is between our ears, but we still must go out and play with our hearts. We kept our composure and dug deep to get the job done. The guys showed their character tonight."
SPHL Stories from December 13, 2013
- RiverKings Fall in Shootout against Huntsville - Mississippi RiverKings
- Trask OT Goal Lifts IceGators over Pensacola - Louisiana IceGators
- Bloomington Steals Surge Spark, Wins 5-1 - Mississippi Surge
- Pensacola Falls to Louisiana 4-3 in OT - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Thunder Beat Surge in Pankewicz's Debut - Bloomington Thunder
- Sobotka Is First RiverKings' Call-Up - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rivermen Waive Doerrsam - Peoria Rivermen
- Second Period Offense Leads RiverKings in Win - Mississippi RiverKings
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