Inconsistency in Game 12 results in Gators’ loss

The Louisiana IceGators are inconsistent in their game play. As a result, the Gators’ record is spiraling downwards once again, leaving fans disheartened.

In week 5, the IceGators won two away games in a row against Fayetteville, lifting them back to .500 for the second time this season. With the record back on track, fans were eager for their team to pick up a few wins this week in order to increase their winning percentage. Unfortunately, the teams we played so far this week are among the best teams in the league.

On Tuesday, the Gators played the Mississippi Surge. Despite the Surge’s solid record this season, many believed this game would favor the Gators due to Mike Brown (goaltender) of Mississippi being recruited to play in the ECHL earlier this week.

Simply put, game 11 was a devastating loss for the Gators. Thanks to the outstanding work of the Surge’s new netminder, Jeremie Dupont, the final score of the game 11 was 8-3. With this loss, the Gators moved down to .455 in terms of league standings.   

On Thanksgiving, the IceGators took on the Pensacola Ice Flyers. 1,378 fans watched as the Gators let up two goals very early in the first period. A third goal in the second period put up the Ice Flyers 3-0. Just as soon as the game looked like it was getting away from them, the number one powerplay in the league set up a Shawn McNeil goal and rejuvenated the players and fans. With the new found energy, the Gators quickly responded with a goal by Tobias Carlsson and later Kirill Kitsyn took an errant pass by the Ice Flyer goalie and found Mike Silletto in front of the net to tie the game. The small crowd now sounded much larger and were excited for the final period. The Gators came out with good intensity and played well but 7 minutes into the period the Ice Flyers scored to take the lead 4-3. Eventually, the Gators were forced to pull their goalie in the waning minutes of the game, leaving the spectators on edge. However, Pensacola did not crack under the pressure and held off the late Gator attack, and a long half ice shot sailed wide as time expired. 

The Gators now find themselves in an all-too-familiar position, two games under .500, fighting to get back into the middle of the standings. Tonight they will face the first place Hunstville Havoc at the Cajundome and it will take three complete periods to come away with the victory. 

Remember to wear black clothes tonight. The IceGators will be "Blacking out the Dome" tonight for Black Friday.