BILOXI, Miss. � The Mississippi Sea Wolves went 2-1-0 over the three games last week to hold down the second spot in the Southwest Division, just three points behind the first place Louisiana IceGators.
The Sea Wolves defeated Columbus on Friday 5-1 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. On Saturday, the Sea Wolves dropped a 2-1 decision at Jackson. Then Sunday at the Wolves Den, Sea Wolves newcomer Kent Davyduke scored the fastest overtime goal in East Coast Hockey League history, just five seconds into the extra session, as Mississippi topped Louisiana, 4-3.
After 26 games played, the Sea Wolves have a record of 15-9-2, for a total of 32 points. At home, the Sea Wolves have posted a record of 10-6-1. The road record for Mississippi stands at 5-3-1.
The Week Ahead at a Glance:
Monday, Dec. 9 � Optional practice open to the public � 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 10 � Practice open to the public � 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 11 � Practice open to the public � 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 12 at Pensacola Ice Pilots � 7:05 p.m. � Pensacola Civic Center
Friday, Dec. 13 at Louisiana IceGators � 7:05 p.m. � Cajundome, Lafayette
Saturday, Dec. 14 at Baton Rouge Kingfish � 7:05 p.m. � Riverside Centroplex
(Game 6 of Coca-Cola Cup. Sea Wolves lead season series, 8 points to 2.)
Sunday, Dec. 15 �Day off
Game Previews:
Thursday, Dec. 12 at Pensacola Ice Pilots � 7:05 p.m. � Pensacola Civic Center
It�s Game 5-of-12 in the head-to-head meetings. The Sea Wolves lead the season series 3 games to 1.
Pensacola took the last match-up between the teams, 2-1 on November 16. Matt Elich scored the game-winner for the Ice Pilots. Pensacola goaltender Maxime Gingras turned away 30 of 32 shots for the win. Sea Wolves� Greg Gardner stopped 34 of 36 to suffer the loss.
The last game at the Pensacola Civic Center on November 2, went to Mississippi by a 3-1 score. Sea Wolves captain Steffon Walby scored the game-winner. Gardner was outstanding in net for Mississippi, blocking 52-of-53 shots, including 25 saves in the second period. Gingras was handed the loss, making 30 saves on 33 shots.
Jim Baxter leads the Sea Wolves with two goals and five assists over the four games against Pensacola. Steffon Walby and Dave Paradise both have three goals to lead Mississippi in that department.
Louis Dumont has posted one goal and five assists in the games against the Sea Wolves. Chad Theuer and Matt Elich have both scored twice, which is tops for Pensacola in the games against Mississippi.
Friday, Dec. 13 at Louisiana IceGators � 7:05 p.m. � Cajundome, Lafayette
The game marks the eighth meeting of the year. Louisiana leads the head-to-head contests by winning five of the first seven games.
Mississippi won the last meeting on Sunday, 4-3 in overtime at the Wolves Den in Biloxi. Sea Wolves forward Kent Davyduke ripped a left circle shot past Kyle Kettles to tally the overtime marker just five seconds into the extra session, setting an ECHL record for the fastest overtime goal in the regular season.
In the last game at Louisiana, the IceGators edged Mississippi 4-3 on November 29. Nathan Rempel picked up the game-winner.
Sea Wolves� Dave Paradise and Steffon Walby both have seven points against the IceGators this season. Paradise leads the way with five goals.
IceGators� Shawn McNeil has six goals and five assists for 11 points in seven games against the Sea Wolves this season. Defenseman Kevin Mitchell has posted six assists, which is tops for Louisiana in the games against Mississippi.
Saturday, Dec. 14 at Baton Rouge Kingfish � 7:05 p.m. � Riverside Centroplex
(Game 6 of Coca-Cola Cup. Sea Wolves lead season series, 8 points to 2.)
Mississippi has won four of the five games in the head-to-head season series, including both games at the Riverside Centroplex.
The last game at Baton Rouge was on October 25, won by the Sea Wolves, 5-4. Mississippi veteran Cody Bowtell notched the game-winner. Greg Gardner backstopped the Sea Wolves, by stopping 38-of-42 shots.
Mississippi is led by Bowtell, with six goals and four assists for 10 points against Baton Rouge this season.
Three Kingfish players, Steve Cheredaryk, Bryan Richardson and Trevor Demmans have tallied four points this season against Mississippi. Richardson and Samuel Paquet have registered three goals each.
Transactions:
12/02 Delete CHUCK THUSS (G) released as emergency backup goaltender
12/04 Delete STEFFON WALBY (RW) placed on 7-day IR
12/06 Add STEVE BEWLEY (D) activated off IR
12/06 Delete STEVE BEWLEY (D) released
12/06 Add DARRYL CAMPBELL (LW) activated off IR
12/06 Add SEAN MATILE (G) activated off IR
12/08 Add KENT DAVYDUKE (C) added to roster
12/08 Delete JOSH BENNETT (LW) placed on 7-day IR
Player of the Week:
Forward Dwayne Blais had points in each of the three games last week. On Friday, Blais scored a goal in the home win against Columbus. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound speedster from Sudbury, Ontario scored the Sea Wolves lone goal on Saturday, in the loss at Jackson. Blais rounded out the week by collecting an assist in the 4-3 overtime victory against Louisiana at the Wolves Den on Sunday. Overall, Blais has five goals and two assists to go along with 26 penalty minutes in 26 games this season.
Goaltender of the Week:
Greg Gardner appeared in two games last week, posting a 1-1-0 record. The 6-foot, 190-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario stopped 51-of-56 shots over the two contests. Gardner made 26 saves at Jackson on Saturday, only to suffer a 2-1 setback. He turned away 25 shots on Sunday, backstopping the Sea Wolves to a 4-3 overtime victory against Louisiana.
Overall, Gardner has a 12-7-2 record with a 2.67 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
Injured Reserve:
* Right wing Steffon Walby and left wing Josh Bennett are on the 7-day injured reserve.
* Goaltender Mike Buckley and defensemen David Cornacchia remain on the 30-day IR.
Sea Wolves �On the Air�:
Tune into live play-by-play 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:
Tuesday, December 10
12:00 p.m.
Kiwanis Club Luncheon, Bay St. Louis
Coach Bob Woods
3:30 p.m.
Boys and Girls Club � Career Day
Popp�s Ferry Facility
Dwayne Blais, Josh Bennett, Derrick Byfuglien, Greg Gardner, Jeff Hutchins and Stu Pietersma
Wednesday, December 11
1:00 p.m.
Beauvoir Elementary School � �Hooked on Reading�
Chris Cava, Kent Davyduke and Mike Scott
Groups, organizations and companies that are interested in having members of the Sea Wolves appear at an event are invited to call 228-275-WOLF (9653).
Individual Sea Wolves game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
