PHN’s Best Shots of the Game; Levine leads Louisiana to shutout victory over Columbus

COLUMBUS, GA – The Louisiana IceGators used a sparkling performance by Eric Levine to take down the Columbus Cottonmouths, as the netminder did not allow a goal in Louisiana’s 5-0 shutout victory.

Jeremy Boyer was all over the ice for the IceGators, as he had two goals in the win. Boyer found the back of the net 30 seconds into the first period to make the score 1-0 Louisiana and again while 12:24 into the first to make the score 3-0 Louisiana.

Louisiana stifled Columbus’ power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The IceGators’ defense was surprisingly good. Louisiana gives up 2.7 goals on average per game. The IceGators outdid their season average for goals scored. Louisiana has scored at the pace of 2.8 goals per game during the current campaign. The 46 shots that the IceGators put on net surpassed Louisiana’s average of 22.6 shots per game this season.

Louisiana additionally got points from John Daniels, who also finished with one goal and one assist and Jake Hauswirth, who also grabbed one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Blake Hietala also scored for Louisiana. Other players who recorded assists for Louisiana were Mike Kavanagh, Luke Kasteel, Geordie Wudrick, and Tyler Barr, who contributed one each.

The Cottonmouths managed to stay out of the box better than usual, registering one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Columbus finished below its season average of 15.0 penalty minutes per game. The Cottonmouths’ offense operated below their season average. Columbus averages 2.5 goals per game. By firing 44 shots on goal, the Cottonmouths exceeded the 23.8 shots they average per game this year.

Columbus was led by Craig Simchuk, who took six shots.

Eric Levine made 44 saves for the IceGators on 44 shots. Louisiana incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Shannon Szabados took the loss and made 28 saves before being replaced by Brandon Jaeger who made 13 saves. The Cottonmouths registered zero goals on four power play opportunities.