BILOXI, Miss. � The Mississippi Sea Wolves opened their seventh season as a member of the East Coast Hockey League by winning both games.
On Saturday at Baton Rouge, Mississippi built up a 3-0 lead and held off Baton Rouge for a 3-2 victory. Then at the home opener on Sunday, the Sea Wolves defeated Jackson 4-3, taking Game 1 in the battle for the Nextel Cup. The home opener was highlighted by a pregame ceremony, where the Sea Wolves retired Bob Woods uniform number eight.
Last Week: (2-0-0)
Sea Wolves (3) at Baton Rouge (2); Sat., Oct. 12 � Riverside Centroplex, Baton Rouge
Sea Wolves (4) vs. Jackson (3); Sun., Oct. 13 - Mississippi Coast Coliseum
The Week Ahead:
Monday, Oct. 14 � Day off
Tuesday, Oct. 15 � Practice open to the public � 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16 � Practice open to the public � 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17 � Practice open to the public � 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 18 at Louisiana � 7:05 p.m. � Cajundome, Lafayette
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Pensacola � 7:35 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Louisiana � 5:05 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Game Previews:
Friday, Oct. 18 at Louisiana � 7:05 p.m. � Cajundome, Lafayette
The first of 12 head-to-head games against the Southwest Division rival IceGators. Last season, Mississippi and Louisiana split the season series 5-5. The Sea Wolves hold the upper hand in the all-time head-to-head meetings, with a 22-16-4 record.
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Pensacola � 7:35 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
First meeting since April 6 at Pensacola, when the Sea Wolves eliminated the Ice Pilots in three straight games in the 2002 Southwest Division Semifinals. Last year during the regular season, the Sea Wolves lost the season series 3-4-1. Mississippi and Pensacola meet 12 times this season, with six games at each venue.
Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Louisiana � 5:05 p.m. � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
The IceGators make their first of six visits to the Wolves Den. In four meetings at Biloxi last year, the teams split the four games, picking up two wins each.
Player of the Week:
Center Cody Bowtell registered two goals and three assists in the Mississippi victories over the weekend. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Wainwright, Alberta scored one goal and added an assist in the season opener at Baton Rouge. Bowtell tallied a goal and picked up two assists on Sunday in the home opener.
Goaltender of the Week:
Greg Gardner backstopped Mississippi to both victories. He made 31 saves in the season opening 3-2 win at Baton Rouge on Saturday. Gardner followed it up with a 24-save performance in Sunday�s 4-3 victory in the home opener against Jackson.
Injured Reserve:
* Goaltender Sean Matile and forward Josh Bennett are on the 7-day injured reserve.
* Defensemen David Cornacchia and Steve Bewley were placed on the 30-day IR.
Sea Wolves �On the Air�:
Tune into coverage of all Sea Wolves games on flagship radio station Q 92.5 FM. The hard-hitting, fast paced hockey excitement is also available across the internet at MsSeaWolves.com.
Sea Wolves in the Community:
Tuesday, Oct. 15 �
12-1:30 p.m.
K-99 Listeners Lunch, Biloxi Town Green
Representatives: Patrick Rochon, Jeff Hutchins, Dwayne Blais and Steve Bewley, Hook and staff.
6�8 p.m.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society �Light the Night� Walk at Pass Christian War Memorial Park
Representatives: All players, Coach Bob Woods, Hook and staff
Wednesday, Oct. 16
12-1:30 p.m.
Edgewater Rotary at Biloxi Beachfront Hotel
Speakers: President Bo McMurphy and Coach Bob Woods
5-7 p.m.
Quizno�s in Ocean Springs
Have dinner with the Sea Wolves players and Hook!
Thursday, Oct. 17
12-1:30 p.m.
Gautier Rotary Meeting at Tiki Restaurant
Speaker: Coach Bob Woods
Friday, Oct. 18
6-7:30 p.m.
Haunted Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Saucier
Representatives: Hook and staff
Saturday, Oct. 19
1-3 p.m.
Hancock County Barbecue and Music Fest
Representatives: Hook and staff
4-6 p.m.
Nativity Elementary School Halloween Carnival
Representatives: Hook and staff
Individual game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
