BILOXI, Miss. � Arkansas forward Mike Cirillo scored the game-winner on the power play with less than three minutes remaining in the third period, lifting the RiverBlades past the Mississippi Sea Wolves 4-3.
Sea Wolves defenseman Derrick Byfuglien opened the score with the man advantage at 17:20 of the first period. Byfuglien snuck in from the point to score in his Sea Wolves debut.
Mississippi counted another power play goal in the second. Defenseman Jim Baxter tallied his fourth goal of the season at 2:59, making it 2-0 for the Sea Wolves.
The RiverBlades got on track with a power play of their own. Dean Stork�s point shot beat Greg Gardner, cutting the Sea Wolves lead to 2-1.
Later in the frame, RiverBlades� Ernie Hartlieb was pressuring and stole the puck at the Mississippi blueline. Hartlieb cashed in his fourth of the campaign, a shorthand tally, making it 2-2 after 40 minutes.
In the third, Jason Bermingham took a centering feed from Buddy Smith at 10:20, giving Arkansas its first lead of the game, 3-2.
Mississippi battled back, as John Evangelista sprung Travis Lisabeth all alone. Lisabeth snapped home his third of the year, low to the stick side of Jason Saal, knotting the score at three.
Late in the third, the RiverBlades were awarded their fourth straight power play. Mike Cirillo potted his fourth of the season at 17:12. Arkansas improves to 5-2-1, while the Sea Wolves drop to 6-3-0.
Mississippi went 2-for-5 on the power play. Arkansas converted on 2-of-9 opportunities with the man advantage.
Gardner made 33 saves on 37 shots, dropping his record to 6-3-0. Saal turned away 21-of-24 shots, improving his record to 4-2-1.
Additional note: East Coast Hockey League Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Graham took in the game.
The Sea Wolves get back in action on Saturday at Pensacola. The opening faceoff at the Pensacola Civic Center is at 7:05 p.m.
The Sea Wolves return home on Sunday against the Louisiana IceGators 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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