BILOXI, Miss. � The Mississippi Sea Wolves went 1-2-0 last week, winning at home before dropping a pair on the road to remain in second place in the ECHL�s Central Division, four points behind Louisiana for the top spot.
After 52 games, the Sea Wolves have an overall record of 30-16-6. Mississippi is 15-4-5 at home, and 15-12-1 on the road.
On Tuesday, Mississippi blanked Texas 2-0 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves then fell in two straight games against Florida, falling 5-3 on Friday and 6-4 on Saturday at TECO Arena in Estero.
This week, Mississippi begins a three-game homestand on Tuesday, hosting San Diego for the first-ever game between the teams. The Sea Wolves play Texas in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
GAMES, BROADCASTS AND PROMOTIONS AT A GLANCE �
Tuesday, Feb. 17 vs. San Diego Gulls � 6:35 p.m. CT � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
* Broadcast starts at 6:20 p.m. on ESPN Radio WXBD-AM 1490 and online at msseawolves.com
* Postgame party for all ages at Club Caribe
Friday, Feb. 20 vs. Texas Wildcatters � 7:35 p.m. CT � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
* Broadcast begins at 7:20 p.m. on ESPN Radio WXBD-AM 1490 and online at msseawolves.com
* 2-for-1 military, courtesy of Keesler Federal Credit Union
Saturday, Feb. 21 vs. Texas Wildcatters � 7:35 p.m. CT � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
* Broadcast gets underway at 7:20 p.m. on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at msseawolves.com
* $2 drafts and $2 hotdogs from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
* Player card giveaway set 3 of 3 to first 1,500 fans (eight card set)
* Mardi Gras Parade on ice during second intermission
* Postgame party for all ages at Village Sports Pub
GAME PREVIEWS �
Tuesday, Feb. 17 vs. San Diego Gulls � 6:35 p.m. CT � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
This historic matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the teams.
San Diego occupies first place in the ECHL�s Pacific Division. The Gulls are coached by Steve Martinson, who is in his ninth season behind the San Diego bench. Martinson led the Gulls to five Taylor Cup Championships in the former West Coast Hockey League, including last season�s title win over Fresno in seven games.
Friday, Feb. 20 vs. Texas Wildcatters � 7:35 p.m. CT � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Mississippi leads the season series and all-time 7-1-0 and 5-0-0 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. It�s the ninth game of 15 in the battle for the Nextel Cup between the teams.
The Sea Wolves won the last head-to-head contest, 2-0 on February 10 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Greg Gardner backstopped the Sea Wolves by making 27 saves, picking up his third shutout of the season. Mississippi�s Travis Lisabeth and Jeff Hutchins tallied second period goals in the win. The Sea Wolves outshot the Wildcatters 38-27.
Sergei Kuznetsov leads Mississippi with seven goals and 14 points against Texas. Steffon Walby has picked up eight assists in the games versus the Wildcatters to lead the Sea Wolves in that category.
Lukas Smital leads Texas with seven points (2g-5a) against the Sea Wolves. Martin Masa, Cory Morgan and Brian Passmore have also scored two goals, tying Smital for the team-lead in goals versus Mississippi. Tony Lawrence has collected five assists to equal Smital in helpers versus the Sea Wolves.
Saturday, Feb. 21 vs. Texas Wildcatters � 7:35 p.m. CT � Mississippi Coast Coliseum
The second game of back-to-back contests at the Wolves Den and 10th game of 15 in the season series battle for the Nextel Cup
.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK � Left wing Jeff Hutchins notched points in each of the Sea Wolves three games last week. On Tuesday, the 6-foot and 205-pound Hutchins scored in the shutout over Texas. Hutchins registered an assist in Friday�s loss at Florida and scored his team-leading 26th goal of the season in defeat at Florida on Saturday. The 25-year-old Hutchins has 26 goals, 44 points, +15 and 112 penalty minutes in 48 games this season.
GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK � Greg Gardner went 1-1-0 in two games last week. The 6-foot and 190-pound Gardner registered his third shutout of the season on Tuesday by making 27 saves against Texas in a 2-0 win. The 28-year-old surrendered suffered the loss turning aside 32 shots in a 5-3 setback at Florida on Friday. Gardner has posted a record of 18-11-3, with a 2.52 goals against average and .922 save percentage.
TRANSACTIONS FROM LAST WEEK �
2/12 Travis Lisabeth, RW, Loaned to Manchester (AHL)
2/14 Jim Baxter, D, Activated off 7-day injured reserve
STREAKING SEA WOLVES �
* Jeff Hutchins has points in four consecutive games (3g-2a).
* Dwayne Blais has netted goals in back-to-back games (2g).
* John Evangelista has three points over the last two contests (1g-2a).
* Steve O�Rourke has two points (1g-1a) in the last two games.
* Kerry Ellis-Toddington has helpers (2a) over the last two games.
* Sergei Kuznetsov has assists (2a) in two straight contests.
* Brent Gauvreau, who on loan to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, had points in six straight ECHL games (5g-4a) before being recalled on January 25.
SEA WOLVES APPROACHING MILESTONES �
* Sergei Kuznetsov is one goal from 50 in his pro career (250 gp, 49g, 113a, 162 pts, 185 PIM)
* Jim Baxter is two goals from tying career high (netted 16 last season)
* Chris Cava is two games from 100 in his Mississippi career (98 gp, 4g, 11a, 15 pts, 383 PIM)
* Coach Bob Woods is four games from coaching 200 in his pro and Sea Wolves career
(196 gms, 115-66-15 record, .625 WPCT)
* Andrei Lupandin is eight games from 300 in his pro career (292 gp, 51g, 107a, 158 pts)
* Greg Gardner is eight wins from tying Mississippi�s all-time record (58, Chuck Thuss, 1998-2002).
* Louis Dumont needs 13 assists to tie the ECHL career record (40, Chris Valicevic, 1993-2002)
STEFFON WALBY WATCH �
(Mississippi career regular season totals � 162 gp, 106g, 138a, 244 pts, 39 PPG, 19 GWG)
* Needs one goal to set all-time team record (currently tied with Dave Paradise, 106 goals in 262 games).
* Two power-play goals from tying Mississippi all-time leader Dave Paradise at 41.
TEAM LEADERS �
Goals �Jeff Hutchins, 26
Assists � Steffon Walby, 40
Points � Steffon Walby, 62
Plus/Minus � Brent Gauvreau, +30
Penalty Minutes � Roger Maxwell, 295
Power Play Goals � Jeff Hutchins, 11
Power Play Assists � Jim Baxter, 20
Power Play Points � Jim Baxter, 26
Shorthand Goals � Anthony Battaglia, 3
Game-Winning Goals � Brent Gauvreau, 7
Goaltender Wins � Greg Gardner, 18
Goals Against Average � Greg Gardner, 2.52
Save Percentage � Greg Gardner, .922
SPECIAL TEAMS (ECHL Rank) �
Power Play � 57-299, 19.1% (9)
Penalty Killing � 250-307, 81.4% (22)
Shorthand Goals For � 6 (T20)
Shorthand Goals Against � 4 (T5)
INJURED RESERVE � None.
CALL UPS � Center Brent Gauvreau remains on loan to Bridgeport (AHL) since January 25, while right wing Travis Lisabeth was loaned to Manchester (AHL) on February 12.
PRACTICES THIS WEEK �
Monday � 12-1 p.m.
Tuesday � 10-10:30 a.m., morning skate
Wednesday � 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday � 10-11:30 a.m.
Friday � 10-10:30 a.m., morning skate
Saturday � 10-10:30 a.m., morning skate
Sunday � Day off for players, no ice available
* All practices are open to the public at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, unless otherwise noted.
* Dates and times are subject to change.
IN THE COMMUNITY �
Wednesday, Feb. 18 � 7-8 p.m.
�Your Home Team,� the Sea Wolves weekly radio show for all ages will be on location at the Sea Wolves Outlet Store for this week and live on ESPN Radio WXBD-AM 1490.
Groups, organizations and companies that are interested in having members of the Sea Wolves appear at an event, are invited to call (228) 388-6151.
Individual game tickets start at $9 for children and $11 for adults. Tickets are on sale at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office, all ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com and by telephone at (228) 594-3707.
Season tickets for the 2004-05 season are on sale! Flex packs, discounted group tickets and fundraiser opportunities are available for this season by calling (228) 275-WOLF.
