LAFAYETTE, La. � In a showdown for first place in the Southwest Division, the Louisiana IceGators regained the top spot, by scoring three power play goals to propel past the Mississippi Sea Wolves, 5-3.
The IceGators won their fifth straight game and picked up two points for a total of 87, moving past Mississippi by one point.
Louisiana (38-19-11) opened the score on the power play at 1:23. Bobby Brown beat Greg Gardner, connecting on his 36th goal of the season.
The IceGators made it 2-0 at 5:32. Shawn McNeil continued his dominance of Mississippi, tallying his 11th marker against the Sea Wolves this season.
McNeil went back to work again at 9:07. McNeil scored Louisiana�s second power play goal of the game and 39th of the season, making it 3-0 for the IceGators.
For the fourth straight game, the Sea Wolves trailed by three goals. Mississippi (41-23-4) cut into Louisiana�s lead at 10:47. Sea Wolves captain Steffon Walby unleashed a shot from the low right circle past Phil Osaer. The goal was Walby�s 41st of the season and 250th tally of his professional career.
In the second period, Louisiana regained its three-goal lead with another goal on the power play. Andrew Proskurnicki tallied his third marker of the year at 6:43, giving the IceGators a 4-1 cushion.
Mississippi cut the margin to a pair at 11:15. Travis Lisabeth netted his 17th goal of the campaign from in front of the net, making it 4-2 Louisiana through 40 minutes.
The Sea Wolves narrowed the gap to one at 12:57. Mike Scott buried a rebound to pot his 25th of the year, making it 4-3 for Louisiana.
Mississippi pulled Gardner with time winding down, but Louisiana forward Kenny Corupe scored into the empty-net with 52 seconds left in regulation to seal the IceGators victory.
As the teams were headed off the ice at the conclusion of the game, the players converged and a couple fights broke out. Sea Wolves� Jeff Hutchins tangled with IceGators� Derek Boogaard.
Mississippi backup goaltender Sean Matile came in as the third man and knocked down Boogaard. Then Mississippi�s Austin Miller and Louisiana�s Nathan Rempel dropped the gloves. IceGators' Jeff Worlton persisted to get back into the fracas. He was assessed two 10-minute misconducts for his actions.
Gardner turned away 20 shots, falling to 29-16-4. Louisiana�s Osaer made 26 saves on 29 shots, improving to 2-1-0 on the season.
Mississippi failed to score with six opportunities on the power play. Louisiana converted on 3-of-7 chances with the man advantage.
The Sea Wolves return home tomorrow to play host to Arkansas. The start time has been changed to 7:05 p.m. at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Individual game tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
|
