ESTERO, Fla. � Mississippi started its six-game road trip by suffering a 5-2 setback to the Florida Everblades.
The Sea Wolves maintain second place in the Southwest Division with 62 points.
Florida (26-14-10) opened the score at 1:41 on the power play. Joe Blaznek pumped a shot past Sean Matile from close range in front. Blaznek�s 25th of the year, gave Florida a 1-0 lead.
Mississippi (29-19-4) responded at 15:40. Steffon Walby converted on a centering pass from Travis Lisabeth, beating Rob Zepp. Walby�s seventh goal over his last five games and 31st of the campaign, tied the score 1-1.
In the second, the Everblades regained the lead. Keith Anderson sailed a shot from the slot into the back of the net. Anderson�s ninth of the year, made it 2-1 for Florida.
Florida extended its lead to 3-1. Veteran Kevin Brown notched his 17th of the season at 13:15. In the third, Everblades defenseman Lee Ruff hammered home his first goal of the year on the power play.
Sea Wolves attempted a comeback. Lisabeth unleashed a shot from the top of the right circle to bury a short-handed tally at 17:34. It was Lisabeth�s 13th of the season.
With just over one minute remaining in regulation, Mississippi�s Kent Davyduke scored, but referee Terry Koharski whistled the play dead before the puck entered the net, keeping the score at 4-2 for the Everblades.
Seconds later, Florida�s Tom Buckley registered an empty-netter to complete the scoring.
Matile made 35 saves, dropping the contest against his former team, to fall to 8-5-0. Zepp allowed two goals on 36 shots, improving to 20-10-7.
Mississippi failed to convert on six power play chances. Florida capitalized on 2-of-10 opportunities with the man advantage.
Mississippi continues its road swing on Thursday at Baton Rouge. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Listen to live play-by-play hockey action on Q 92.5 FM. The Sea Wolves Faceoff Against Kids' Cancer at the next home game on Sunday, February 23 at 5:05 p.m. as against the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Purchase your commemorative T-shirt for $15. The T-shirt gets you into the game and the postgame party and jersey auction at Grand Casino Biloxi.
Individual game tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
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