JACKSON, Miss. � The Mississippi Sea Wolves snapped a three-game winless streak, winning 5-4 over the Jackson Bandits.
The Sea Wolves also lead the battle for the Nextel Cup against the Bandits, 15 points to 4.
The second place Sea Wolves (24-14-4) opened the score at the 5:25 mark. Austin Miller wired a wrist shot from the slot past Ty Garner. The goal was Miller�s third of the year.
Mississippi added to its lead on the power play at 18:30. Steffon Walby playing in his 700th pro game, one-timed the puck from the left circle, scoring his 20th goal of the campaign, making it 2-0 for the Sea Wolves. Defenseman Jim Baxter picked up an assist on the goal, extending his point streak to 10 games.
Jackson (21-17-3) bounced back in the final minute of the first period. Josh Olson converted in front of Greg Gardner, cashing in his fourth of the season.
Before the end of the opening stanza, the game took on a physical tone. Sea Wolves� Jeff Hutchins squared off with Dave Stewart, the East Coast Hockey League�s penalty minute leader.
Then in the dying seconds of the first, Mississippi�s Stu Pietersma dropped the gloves with Jackson�s Reagan Rome.
In the second, the Sea Wolves capitalized on another power play at the 6:06 mark. Baxter beat Garner with a shot from the slot. Baxter�s 11th of the year, gave Mississippi a 3-1 lead.
Jackson closed the gap to one at 16:36. Eric Fortier jammed in his ninth of the campaign, making it 3-2 for Mississippi.
At 18:10 of the middle period, Sea Wolves� Travis Lisabeth let go with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. The shot handcuffed Garner, giving Mississippi its two-goal lead back at 4-2. It was Lisabeth�s 10th marker of the year.
With 26 seconds left in the second, Walby notched his second of the night, putting the puck into the back of the net from the slot. Walby�s 21st of the season, made it 5-2 for Mississippi through 40 minutes.
In the third, Jackson mounted a comeback. Brent Gauvreau tallied his 12th of the season at 2:58, pulling the Bandits to within two at 5-3.
Then at the 14:07 mark, Andrei Lupandin connected on his fourth goal of the year, but the rally would fall short.
Gardner stopped 34-of-38 shots, improving his record to 19-10-4. Garner turned away 24-of-29, falling to 9-9-2.
Mississippi converted on 2-of-6 power play opportunities. Jackson failed to score on five chances with the man advantage.
The Sea Wolves return home for a two-game homestand beginning Friday at 7:35 p.m. against Baton Rouge.
On Sunday, Mississippi welcomes Jackson at 5:05 p.m. at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Individual Sea Wolves game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
|
