LSU Ice Hockey shuts out Rebels in 2-game series

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By Stephanie Kraft

The LSU ice hockey team shutout Ole Miss in a two-game series at the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi this past weekend.

In the first game of the series LSU gained a 1-0 lead halfway through the first period on a rebound goal by Junior Mike Tymchuk. Tymchuk is the Tigers' leading scorer on the year. The Tigers added a second on late in the period when freshman Kaleb Futch took a pass from fellow freshman linemate Grant Swancke to convert a 3 on 1 break.

The Tigers came out sluggish in the second period. Bad decisions and poor back checking on LSU's part allowed Ole Miss to get back into the game. The Ice Rebels shut out LSU in the second period and scored four unanswered goals.

LSU came out in the third period and dominated all aspects of the game for the final 20 minutes. Halfway into the third period LSU appeared to have closed the gap by one when junior forward Matt Folis made a strong move to the net and powered the puck past the sprawling Ole Miss netminder. Referees however ruled it a no goal. On the ensuing face off, senior Christophe Phillioppe drove the net on a rebound and extracted a piece of revenge scoring an undisputed goal seconds later.

Excellent fore checking in the Ole Miss end gave sophomore defenseman Daniel Modzewleski the equalizer. With less than three minutes to play the Tigers were whistled with a roughing penalty forcing them to play one man short. Phillioppe was hit with a two minute penalty for interference. The interference call left the Tigers short two men with 1:34 to play.

At the end of regulation the game was a 4-4 tie and went into overtime. The Tigers launched an aggressive offensive assault. Freshman Brandon Holy converted a pass from freshman Grant Swencke to give LSU the win in overtime.

There were 31 penalties handed out during game two of the series with Ole Miss. The Tigers outshot the Rebels 15-7 during the first period. Tymchak got a goal midway through the period. Just 90 seconds later Ole Miss scored tying the game 1-1.

Four minutes later Remmy Menard scored giving the Rebels a 2-1 lead. LSU sophomore Kevin Leger answered with his first goal of the season in the 16th minute. At the end of the first period the game was tied 2-2.

Ole Miss scored at the 1:30 mark of the second period to regain the lead.

LSU senior Mac Alsfeld served Tymchak a great pass that set up a rocket shot by freshman defenseman Trevor Otter that caught Rebel goalie Sean Eaton by surprise and tied the score at 3.

At the 7:40 mark in the period LSU senior Rhett Richardson gave the Tigers the lead with a power play goal off of assists by Tymchak and Mike Mayeux. In the last four minutes of the period, Ole Miss scored making it 4-4 headed into the third period.

The game was still tied 4-4 at the end of overtime forcing the second overtime of the weekend. Penalties forced the Tigers to spend a key part of the overtime short handed. LSU netminder Rusty Ware was able to turn away the barrage of Rebel shots putting the Tigers into a shootout.

Tymchak scored on a low shot to start LSU off. Ole Miss scored on their first shot as well. The Ole Miss shooter equaled his effort with a goal. Two shooters later, LSU freshman Swwonke scored on a wrist shot only to be matched again by the Ole Miss shooter. After both shooters failed on their shots LSU senior Mike Mayeax took a quick wrister that hit the cross bar to decide the fate and to give the Tigers the victory and the shutout of the Rebels for the weekend.

The Tigers (3-5) enjoy a week off before hosting the league leading Arkansas Razorbacks for a two-game series November 20-21. The Razorbacks come into Baton Rouge ranked #4 in the ACHA polls and sit a top the Western division of the SEC ice profile. LSU's home games are played at Leo's Iceland at 1717 Airway Dr. Friday's game will start at 10:30 pm, and Saturday's will start at 3:30 pm. More information can be found at http://www.lsuhockey.com.

Originally Published: Issue 823 - November 11, 2009

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