BILOXI, Miss. � Rookie Tim Smith scored two goals and added an assist to pace the Columbia Inferno past the Mississippi Sea Wolves 4-3 in Game 3 of the Southern Conference Finals.
Columbia leads the best-of-seven series, 3 games to 0.
�The Inferno are playing good hockey,� Sea Wolves coach Bob Woods said. �There�s not much we can do about Game 3. We just have to take it one period at a time and hopefully get on a roll.�
With the win, Columbia ended two Mississippi team records. The Sea Wolves had their 16-game home winning streak snapped along with their 22-game home unbeaten streak (20-0-2). Mississippi�s last regulation loss at home was on December 20.
Columbia opened the score at 8:38 of the first period. Rookie Tim Smith scored his fourth goal of the postseason, beating Greg Gardner from in close.
Mississippi responded at 16:08. Sergei Kuznetsov went behind the Inferno net and fed a sweet behind the back pass to Kent Davyduke. Columbia goaltender Patrick Couture looked to his left, Davyduke buried in the right side of the net for his third of the playoffs, tying the score 1-1.
In the second, the Inferno grabbed the lead at 2:38. The puck was loose in front, Smith banged in his second of the game, making it 2-1 for Columbia.
Columbia added to its lead on the power play. Chris St. Croix took a pass from Rejean Stringer at the right circle and slapped in his first of the postseason at 4:02, giving the Inferno a 3-1 lead.
Mississippi closed the gap at 16:39. Ryan Clark hammered a left circle shot through Couture. The goal was Clark�s first of the season and playoffs, pulling the Sea Wolves to within one at 3-2 through 40 minutes of action.
The Inferno regained their two-goal advantage at 9:38. Stringer deposited his third of the playoffs, down low in front of the net.
Mississippi tried to mount an attack with just under five minutes left in regulation. Rookie Mike Scott had a point blank chance in the slot, but Couture made a terrific save to hold the Sea Wolves at bay.
Sea Wolves goaltender Gardner was pulled for the extra attacker with time winding down. Mississippi captain Steffon Walby potted his fourth of the postseason at the side of the net with 13 seconds remaining. But the Sea Wolves were unable to get the equalizer.
Gardner made 28 saves on 32 shots, falling to 6-3 in the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Couture turned away 36-of-39 shots, raising his record to a perfect 8-0 in the postseason.
Mississippi failed to score on five power play chances. Columbia converted on 2-of-5 opportunities on the man advantage.
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. CT at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.
Individual playoff tickets for Mississippi are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
Sea Wolves season tickets for 2003-04 are on sale starting at $21 per month. Call the Sea Wolves hockey office and ask about payment plans at (228) 275-WOLF.
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