BILOXI, Miss. � The Louisiana IceGators scored three goals in the shootout, including the game-winner by rookie Jamie Johnson to slip past the Mississippi Sea Wolves, 3-2, in front of 6,197 fans at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
�The fans were treated to an entertaining game,� said Sea Wolves coach Bob Woods. �There were some nice goals, super saves and a couple fights. Guys are still getting used to playing with one another and hopefully we can get some more points this weekend.�
IceGators� (1-0-0) Bobby Brown opened the score 42 seconds into the contest. Brown deposited a rebound in close on Mississippi goaltender Greg Gardner, who was assigned by Rochester of the American Hockey League on Thursday.
The Sea Wolves (0-0-1) responded at 12:30 on the power play in the first period. Jeff Hutchins was left alone in front and beat goaltender Derek Gustafson to tie the score at one.
Brown made it click later for the Gators with the man advantage. Louisiana�s captain unleashed a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Gardner at 14:37, giving Louisiana a 2-1 lead.
Roger Maxwell made an impact in his return with Mississippi. In his first game with the Sea Wolves since 1997-98 season, Maxwell dropped the gloves and manhandled Kenny Goetz.
Three seconds into the third, Maxwell battled Dennis Shiryaev to a draw.
Louisiana maintained its 2-1 lead until the final minute of the third. Mississippi pulled Gardner and with the extra attacker, Brent Gauvreau won a faceoff and Steffon Walby fired the puck in with 36 seconds remaining to send the game to extra time.
The IceGators received shootout goals from Armands Berzins, Jamie Johnson and Martin Masa, while Mississippi picked up a shootout goal from Jim Baxter.
Mississippi converted on 1-of-5 power play opportunities, while Louisiana went 1-for-4 with the man advantage. IceGators outshot the Sea Wolves, 33-24.
Additional Notes: Prior to the game, two banners were raised, commemorating Mississippi's on-ice success over the past two seasons ... Sea Wolves goaltender Sean Matile and defenseman Patrick Rochon missed the warm-up, due to a late flight from Buffalo after getting their working papers ... Earlier in the day, the Sea Wolves waived goaltender Mike Buckley ...
Mississippi visits Louisiana tomorrow for the IceGators home opener at 7:05 p.m. Listen to the hockey action on WTNI-AM 1640. The Sea Wolves next home game is Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against Pensacola at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The �Party Four-Pack� is available, consisting of four tickets, four hotdogs and four soft drinks for $44.
Individual game tickets, start at $9 for children and $11 for adults. Tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
Season seat packages, flex plans and discounted group tickets are still on sale by calling 228-275-WOLF.
--- Box Score ---
DATE - 10/17/03 Louisiana (3) at Mississippi (2) SO
SCORE BY PERIODS
Louisiana 2 0 0 1--3
Mississippi 1 0 1 0--2
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Louisiana-Brown 1 (Corupe; Slorey) 0:42. 2, Mississippi-Hutchins 1 (power play) (Baxter; Blais) 12:30. 3, Louisiana-Brown 2 (power play) (Mizerek; Corupe) 14:37. Penalties: Mastad, LA (Kneeing), 2:05. Dumont, MIS (Slashing), 10:04. Berzins, LA (Tripping), 11:30. Goetz, LA (Fighting, Major), 13:17. Maxwell, MIS (Fighting, Major), 13:17. Goetz, LA (Ten minute misc.), 13:17. Maxwell, MIS (Ten minute misc.), 13:17. Rouleau, MIS (High sticking), 13:22. Berzins, LA (Board check), 17:11.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: Matieroukine, LA (Kneeing), 6:38. Berzins, LA (Tripping), 15:05. Hutchins, MIS (High sticking), 16:55.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Mississippi-Walby 1 (Gauvreau) 19:24. Penalties: Maxwell, MIS (Fighting, Major), 0:03. Shiryaev, LA (Fighting, Major), 0:03. Baxter, MIS (Holding), 11:05.
OVERTIME -- Scoring: None. Penalties: None.
SHOTS ON GOAL
Louisiana 14 8 8 3--33
Mississippi 8 7 8 1--24
Power Play Conversions: Louisiana - 1-of-4, Mississippi - 1-of-5.
Goalies: Louisiana-Gustafson (24 shots, 22 saves; record: 1-0-0). Mississippi-Gardner (33 shots, 31 saves; record: 0-0-1).
A: 5507. Referee: Jamie Koharski. Linesmen: David Jones; Nate Stanton.
|
