PENSACOLA, Fla. � Mississippi goaltender Greg Gardner was phenomenal making 52 saves in the Sea Wolves 3-1 road victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Pensacola Civic Center.
The Sea Wolves improve to 7-3-0, which is the best start in franchise history after 10 games, while the Ice Pilots drop to 3-3-2.
Mississippi opened the score at 9:33 of the first period. A Pensacola penalty to David Oliver had just expired, when Sea Wolves veteran Patrick Rochon fired a pointshot, Jim Baxter re-directed the puck past Maxime Gingras. Baxter�s fifth goal of the season, gave Mississippi a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Sea Wolves captain Steffon Walby found an open lane on the penalty kill and sent a laser of a wrist shot over the glove of Gingras, making it 2-0 Mississippi. Earlier in the day, Walby was named the Sher-Wood East Coast Hockey League Player of the Month for October. The goal was Walby�s second shorthand tally of the year and his sixth goal overall.
The Ice Pilots outshot the Sea Wolves 25-6 in the second period. Mississippi goalie Greg Gardner made several key saves to hold Pensacola off the scoreboard through 40 minutes.
In the third, the Sea Wolves added to their lead, as Stu Pietersma sent a pass infront, Dwayne Blais deposited the rebound. His second of the year, gave Mississippi a 3-0 cushion.
Pensacola finally solved Gardner on the 39th shot. Gregor Baumgartner connected and scored his first of the year for the Ice Pilots, rounding out the scoring.
Gardner collected the win to improve his record to 7-3-0. Gingras turned away 22-of-25 shots, dropping his record to 2-3-2.
Mississippi went 0-for-6 on the power play. Pensacola went scoreless with the man advantage on eight opportunities.
Additional notes: The Sea Wolves Wolf Pack Booster Club brought over two bus loads of fans ... East Coast Hockey League Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Graham was in attendance.
The Sea Wolves host Louisiana IceGators tomorrow beginning at 5:05 p.m. at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Adults purchasing an individual ticket at Sunday home games, receive one FREE ticket for a child 12 and under. The offer also applies to season ticket holders showing identification.
Individual game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
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