BILOXI, Miss. � Ernie Hartlieb scored a dramatic overtime goal for Arkansas, as the RiverBlades slipped past the Mississippi Sea Wolves, 3-2.
The Sea Wolves gained one point and slide back into first place tie in the Southwest Division with Louisiana. Both teams have 43 points.
Arkansas (16-12-5) had the best chance of the first period. RiverBlades All-Star Buddy Smith beat goaltender Greg Gardner with a slapshot, but it clanked off the goalpost. Sea Wolves defenseman Patrick Rochon cleared the puck to keep the game scoreless after 20 minutes.
Mississippi (20-10-3) opened the score at 3:50 of the second. Veteran Dave Paradise let go with a shot from the slot, beating Jimi St. John. The goal for Paradise was his 20th of the season, matching his total number of goals from last season.
The RiverBlades bounced back while shorthanded. Defenseman Matt Pagnutti broke in on a 2-on-1 break with Terry Marchant, who snapped it past Gardner, tying the score 1-1. Marchant�s tally was his eighth of the campaign.
The Sea Wolves regained the lead at 12:22. Veteran Cody Bowtell started the play by making a nifty move around Arkansas defenseman Ryan Coole. Sea Wolves rookie Jeff Hutchins finished it off, by tallying his seventh of the year and giving Mississippi a 2-1 lead.
But 1:01 later, the RiverBlades converted on the power play. Jason Bermingham in the low slot, flipped a shot underneath the crossbar, knotting the score 2-2. Bermingham�s marker was his 13th of the season.
In the third period with 4:44 to play, Arkansas captain Eric Long was assessed a five-minute major penalty for butt-ending. But the Sea Wolves would fail to score, as rookie goalie St. John denied the Mississippi shooters, making several super saves.
In overtime, Hartlieb ended it at 2:33. He unleashed with a right circle shot, scoring his 15th goal of the season and ending the RiverBlades three-game losing skid.
Gardner stopped 22-of-25, falling to 15-7-3. St. John made 38 saves on 40 shots, improving to 5-3-1 on the season.
Mississippi failed to convert on three power play opportunities. Arkansas tallied on 1-of-4 chances with the man advantage.
The Sea Wolves next game after the holiday break is Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Pensacola.
Mississippi�s next home game is Saturday at 7:35 p.m. against the Arkansas RiverBlades at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
A great last minute holiday gift idea, purchase the Sea Wolves 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 ranges from $48 to $96.
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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