BILOXI, Miss. � Steffon Walby celebrated his 30th birthday in fine fashion, by scoring the game-winner in the Mississippi Sea Wolves come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Columbus Cottonmouths.
This game started out with a bizarre Columbus goal in the first period. Cottonmouths defenseman Phil Cole played the puck into the Misssisippi zone. Sea Wolves goaltender Greg Gardner tried to play it, but it re-directed into the net at the 2:39 mark.
The Cottonmouths (9-7-2) added to their lead on the power play at 5:00. Ryan Risidore�s point shot eluded Gardner, making it 2-0 for the Columbus.
Sea Wolves (10-5-2) got on track late in the opening stanza. Defenseman Jim Baxter stickhandled his way inside the Columbus blueline, then fed a pass to Dave Paradise, who ripped a shot past Mike Morrison. Paradise with his 11th of the campaign, closed the Columbus lead to 2-1. Baxter�s assist was his 50th point in a Sea Wolves uniform and extended his point streak to 11 games (4 goals, 10 assists). Bowtell�s helper extended his point streak to seven games (3 goals, 6 assists).
In the second, Columbus regained its two-goal lead. The Sea Wolves were unable to clear the zone. Mike Bishai spotted Brent Cullaton in front, a quick shot and Columbus was on top 3-1.
The Sea Wolves found their stride at the halfway point of the game. Travis Lisabeth jammed in a centering pass from Baxter at 9:59, cutting the Cottonmouths lead to 3-2.
Then Paradise fired a backhand past Morrison, tying the score 3-3.
Still in the second, Mississippi tallied its third straight goal. Captain and assistant coach Steffon Walby buried his eighth of the year, giving the Sea Wolves the lead and victory. Paradise picked up an assist on Walby's game-winner. That assist gave Paradise his 184th Sea Wolves career point, passing Patrick Rochon to become the all-time team leader during the regular season.
Mississippi clicked on 2-of-9 power play opportunities. Columbus converted on 1-of-5 with the man advantage.
The Sea Wolves travel to Jackson tomorrow for a 7:05 opening faceoff.
Mississippi returns home on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. against the Baton Rouge Kingfish. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Roadhouse Grill puck. Adults purchasing a ticket, will get one free ticket for a child 12 and under. It�s also Game 4 in the battle for the Coca-Cola Cup. Mississippi leads the series six points to none.
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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