BILOXI, Miss. � The Mississippi Sea Wolves head into the holidays in a first place tie with the Louisiana IceGators in the Southwest Division standings with 43 points. The Sea Wolves are also positioned just one point behind the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies for the overall points lead in the 27-team East Coast Hockey League.
After 33 games, the Sea Wolves have compiled a record of 20-10-3. At home, Mississippi has posted an 11-7-2 record. The Sea Wolves road record stands at 9-3-1.
Mississippi defeated the Arkansas RiverBlades, 4-1 on Wednesday at North Little Rock. The Sea Wolves returned home on Friday, only to drop a 6-2 decision to the Louisiana IceGators. The Sea Wolves bounced back by hammering the Jackson Bandits, 7-2 on Saturday. Then Sunday, Arkansas slipped past Mississippi, 3-2 in overtime at the Wolves Den.
The Week Ahead at a Glance:
Monday, Dec. 23 � Skate with the Sea Wolves Christmas Party � 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24 � Day off
Wednesday, Dec. 25 � Day off
Thursday, Dec. 26 � Day off
Friday, Dec. 27 at Pensacola Ice Pilots � 7:05 p.m. � Pensacola Civic Center
Saturday, Dec. 28 vs. Arkansas RiverBlades � 7:35 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Sunday, Dec. 29 vs. Jackson Bandits � 5:05 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
(Game 8 of Nextel Cup. Sea Wolves lead season series against the Bandits, 11 points to 4.)
Game Previews:
Friday, Dec. 27 at Pensacola Ice Pilots � 7:05 p.m. � Pensacola Civic Center
Game 6-of-12 in the head-to-head meetings. Mississippi leads the season series, 4-1. The Sea Wolves won the last game at Pensacola, 4-1 on December 12. Mississippi has taken both games at the Hangar, by also winning the contest on November 2, 3-1.
Mississippi All-Star defenseman Jim Baxter leads the Sea Wolves with 10 points (2g-8a) against the Ice Pilots. Goaltender Greg Gardner has played in all five previous games versus Pensacola, posting a 4-1-0 record, to go along with his 1.58 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.
Louis Dumont is tops for the Ice Pilots in the points department (1g-5a) against Mississippi. Goaltender Maxime Gingras has appeared in all five games versus the Sea Wolves, compiling a 1-3-1 record, 2.76 goals against average and .908 save percentage.
The Sea Wolves lead the all-time series against the Ice Pilots, 34-13-2.
Saturday, Dec. 28 vs. Arkansas RiverBlades � 7:35 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Game 4-of-12 in the head-to-head series. Arkansas leads the matchups, 2-1. The RiverBlades defeated the Sea Wolves on Sunday, 3-2 in overtime at the Wolves Den. Arkansas forward Ernie Hartlieb scored the overtime marker. RiverBlades rookie goalie Jimi St. John turned away 38 of 40 to earn the victory.
Sea Wolves veteran forward Dave Paradise leads the way against Arkansas with 5 points (1g-4a).
RiverBlades forward Terry Marchant is tops in the games against the Sea Wolves with 4 points (1g-3a).
The Sea Wolves lead the all-time series against the RiverBlades, 14-6-3.
Sunday, Dec. 29 vs. Jackson Bandits � 5:05 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Game 8-of-12 in the battle for the Nextel Cup. The Sea Wolves lead season series against the Bandits, 11 points to 4 (5-1-1 record). Mississippi has won all three home games against Jackson this season.
Mississippi bounced the Bandits on Saturday, 7-2 at the Wolves Den. Sea Wolves all-star Steffon Walby led the way offensively with four points (3g-1a) in the win. In four games this season against Jackson, Walby is tops for the Sea Wolves with 10 points (5g-5a).
Jackson veteran Jeff Bes leads the way for the Bandits against the Sea Wolves, with three goals and three assists.
The Sea Wolves lead the all-time series against the Bandits, 19-9-4.
Last Week�s Transactions:
12/19 Add CURTIS MENZUL (D) acquired from Toledo
12/21 Add CHUCK THUSS (G) as emergency backup goaltender
Player of the Week:
All-Star forward Steffon Walby tallied five goals and picked up two assists in four games last week. The 30-year-old native of Lodi, Wisconsin scored twice in the win on Wednesday at Arkansas. On Friday in the loss against Louisiana, he chipped in with an assist. Walby�s week was highlighted by notching a hat trick, plus adding an assist in the win against Jackson on Saturday. In Sunday�s overtime defeat against Arkansas, he was held off the scoresheet. In 23 games with Mississippi this season, Walby has 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points.
Goaltender of the Week:
Greg Gardner posted a record of 2-0-1 in his three games for Mississippi. The 27-year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario made a total of 74 saves on 80 shots. Gardner�s compiled a 1.98 goals-against average last week and .925 save percentage. He has an overall record of 15-7-3 this season.
Injured Reserve:
* Left wing Josh Bennett and Austin Miller are on the 7-day injured reserve.
* Goaltender Mike Buckley and defensemen David Cornacchia remain on the 30-day IR.
Streaking Sea Wolves:
* Veteran forward Dave Paradise has an eight-game (6g-7a) points streak.
* All-Star defenseman Jim Baxter has points (3a) in two consecutive games.
* Rookie forward Mike Scott has a two-game (2g-2a) points streak.
Sea Wolves �On the Air�:
Listen to live play-by-play action on the Sea Wolves flagship radio station Q 92.5 FM. The hard-hitting, fast paced hockey excitement is also available across the internet at MsSeaWolves.com by clicking on �Listen Live�, which links to SportsJuice.com.
Sea Wolves in the Community:
Monday, December 23
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Skate with the Sea Wolves Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 25
Sea Wolves defenseman Derrick Byfuglien (BUFF-len) will be delivering gifts to children at area hospitals for �Buffy�s Christmas�. Thanks to everyone that brought unwrapped gifts to the Sea Wolves home games over the weekend!
Groups, organizations and companies interested in having members of the Sea Wolves appear at an event, are invited to call 228-275-WOLF (9653).
Individual game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
