Editor’s note: John Latham joins the ProHockeyNews.com staff with a look at how the expansion Louisiana IceGators of the Southern Professional Hockey League are faring. LAFAYETTE, La. – They went through four head coaches in the first seven weeks of play. They had a less than pleasing (albeit memorable) television clip of a former coach throwing a tantrum – and anything not tied down – go viral. They had an ice malfunction following a rodeo that resulted in a shootout to determine the final result of a game after only one period of play. Despite all of that, hockey seems to be in good hands in south Louisiana as the second incarnation of the Louisiana IceGators look like they are having things start to come together for them as the SPHL season passes the midway point. Any team at this level will have its ups and downs and the IceGators certainly have had their share. The biggest positive is that they have been able to chalk it all up to experience and growing pains and are learning from it. The season started off on shaky ground with a string of losses and the previously mentioned coaching carousel. Current head coach Dave MacIsaac appears to be the right man for the job based on how the team’s play has stabilized and improved. Since joining the team in December, MacIsaac has made a series of player moves and given the rebuilt roster time to gel. Under MacIsaac, the IceGators have won more games than they did for the other three coaches combined. The improved play has helped off the ice. Sports fans in Louisiana as a whole are known for not supporting teams that don’t win – with the notable exception of the New Orleans Saints (who finally rewarded the fans with a Super Bowl title). Since the IceGators have a legacy of winning going back to their ECHL days, the fans expect this incarnation to win and win often. There are however some fans who will purchase season tickets and root on the IceGators regardless of their record. Fans like Jimmy Eskind of Lydia, Louisiana, who is a long time season ticket holder. Eskind said that he sees improvement in the team and is very happy that hockey has returned to the bayou. As of this point, the IceGators are averaging 1,667 fans per game. Ron Handy, a former ECHL IceGators player who now is the assistant general manager, answered “oh yes, certainly” when asked about the team’s return for a second season. On a recent Friday night, Louisiana was playing host to the Columbus Cottonmouths. Gone are the days when the IceGators rocked the sparkling CajunDome, replaced by games in the older and smaller Blackham Coliseum. The Blackham may not look like much from the outside but looks can be deceiving. Once inside, a walk around the building uncovered the fact that the venue is great for hockey. The smaller size lends itself to a certain amount of “intimacy” with the ice that the upper regions of the CajunDome never had. Even those who sit in the very top row of the building have a perfect view of the game while feeling still connected with the proceedings. On this particular February evening, a barbershop quartet sang a rousing rendition of the national anthem to kick things off. In honor of breast cancer awareness, the IceGators were sporting special pink jerseys that would later be autographed and auctioned off. Three minutes into the contest, Columbus took a 1-0 lead. Right off the ensuing face-off, Louisiana’s Jason Hamilton and Columbus’ Dan Leslie squared off for a battle that got the crowd jazzed up. Following a set of matching penalties for some rough stuff, the P.A. announcer chipped in with “it is going to be a fun game tonight” which only revved up the fans more. By the end of the period, Columbus still led 1-0 but the crowd was abuzz over the rugged play. Hockey novice Hayley Castille, in town from her home in San Diego, loved the bruising action and fighting. A lifelong football fan, Castille said she was surprised that the rough stuff was allowed to go on. Welcome to the sport of hockey Hayley. Erik Kent put Louisiana on the board midway through the second period, sending the fans into their traditional “Gator Chop” (or is that “chomp”?). Columbus retook the lead on a Brent Clarke tally six minutes later and rode that goal to a lead after two stanzas. Lake Charles native Tommy Soileau, attending his first game in almost a decade dating back to when the ECHL IceGators folded, was thrilled to be seeing hockey live again. “I’m having an awesome time. It rocks,” he said. The final period provided entertainment both on and off the ice. In the stands, chaperone Sandy Hunt of Lafayette was attending to a group of kids, including her daughter who was celebrating a birthday. During a break in the action, the kids (and Sandy) nailed every move of the “Chicken Dance” with perfection. On the ice, Trevor Karasiewicz scored for Louisiana to tie the game at 15:12 with a sizzling wrist shot on a power play. That would be the last hurrah on this night for the IceGators as Cole and Sam Bowles scored in the closing moments to lift the visiting Cottonmouths to a 4-2 victory. Following the game, the special IceGators jerseys were auctioned off, some fetching more than $500 from fans eager to own one of the game-worn items. Coach MacIsaac, asked about he just completed game, said “tough loss”. That is was. All in all, it was a well played game and the crowd certainly enjoyed every second, making for a loud and raucous atmosphere. That’s the way it was and the way it needs to be in southern Louisiana. Here’s to finishing the season strong. Geaux Gators. Contact the author at john.latham@prohockeynews.com
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