BILOXI, Miss. � The Sea Wolves hit the halfway point of the 72-game regular season on a mini two-game win streak, by beating the Jackson Bandits, 4-3.
Mississippi sits in a tie for first place in the Southwest Division points race with Louisiana. Both teams have 47 points. The Sea Wolves also continue to lead the battle for the Nextel Cup in the season series against the Bandits, 13 points to 4.
Mississippi (22-11-3) opened the score on the penalty kill at 18:01 of the first period. Steffon Walby fired a wrist shot from the slot past Adam Hauser. Sea Wolves defenseman Ryan Clark picked up an assist, while playing in his 100th professional game. The goal for Walby was his fifth shorthand marker of the season.
Jackson (17-15-3) kicked its offense into gear at 16:25 of the middle stanza. Nick Theriault rifled a shot from the top of the right circle past Greg Gardner. Theriault�s fifth of the campaign tied the score 1-1.
Just 16 seconds later, Bandits� Bryan Forslund followed on his own rebound, potting his seventh goal of the year, giving Jackson a 2-1 lead.
The Bandits continued to pour it on, scoring their third goal in a span of 1:22. Jeff Bes buried a John McNabb centering pass in the slot, making it 3-1 for Jackson. It was the 12th marker of the season for Bes.
Mississippi bounced back in the final minute of the second. Walby at the side of the net, notched his second goal of the night and 18th of the year, closing the Jackson advantage to 3-2. Dave Paradise picked up an assist on the goal, extending his point streak to 11 games, with seven goals and nine assists over that span.
In the third, Sea Wolves rookie Mike Scott darted around Reagan Rome at the right circle and registered his ninth of the season, knotting it 3-3.
Mississippi would regain its lead on the power play at the 10:04 mark. Paradise ripped home his 22nd of the year, which would be the eventual game-winner.
Gardner backstopped the Sea Wolves in his 100th professional game turning away 24-of-27 shots. It was also Gardner�s 50th professional victory, improving his record this season to 17-8-3.
Hauser turned away 20-of-24, falling to 10-7-1.
Mississippi went 1-for-4 on the power play. Jackson failed to convert on five chances with the man advantage.
The Sea Wolves remain at home to play their next two games. On Friday, Mississippi hosts Columbus at 7:35 p.m. Then on Saturday at 7:35 p.m., the Sea Wolves welcome Pensacola to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Purchase the Sea Wolves new �Pick Six Plan�. Choose your favorite six home games and receive a free Sea Wolves gift package consisting of an official game puck autographed by Coach Bob Woods, plus a Sea Wolves Souvenir Media Guide. The �Pick Six Plan� starts at $48.
Individual Sea Wolves game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
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