22 December, 2010

MacIsaac Dismissed; Valicevic returns to bench tonight

Coach Dave MacIsaac has been relieved from his duties as the head coach of the Louisiana IceGators. MacIsaac took over the coaching position last season and improved a bad Gators team, eventually falling a few points shy of the playoffs. However, this season has been a struggle and he was released after the IceGators fell to 7-15, last place in the SPHL.

IceGator legend, Chris Valicevic, will coach the next few games and try to give much needed energy to a team that desperately needs wins to break their losing streak. Valicevic is only a temporary replacement and a permanent coach will be named at the end of the weekend. In the hockey coaching world, the Mississippi Riverkings fired their coach, Kevin "Killer" Kaminski last week, and he would be a huge pickup for the Louisiana IceGators. Kaminski has a good record in the CHL, and has won coach of the year honors. Although he may not stick for the long term, bringing in a coach of his caliber could definitely turn the season around. With half of the season still left to be played, there is still plenty of time to make the playoffs.

With all of the commotion surrounding the IceGators this week, it is very important that the players stay focused and try to come away with some huge wins this week against two top three teams. The Gators take on Pensacola tonight and Mississippi on Saturday and Sunday. The IceGators will have their hands full tonight at the Cajundome against Pensacola. In 6 meetings this year the Gators have only won once, but all 5 losses have been by one goal. Another Gator legend, Rob McCaig, was supposed to take the ice tonight but recent rumors are that complications with the league office will not allow McCaig to play tonight. McCaig is in his late thirties and has not played in years so the move would have been mind-boggling.

There is a lot of big news and big changes surrounding the Louisiana IceGators, which makes for an exciting time. Come out to the Cajundome and support the IceGators as they try to put the pieces together for a big second half of the season.

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