Mississippi Sea Wolves Official Hockey Web Site

LAFAYETTE, La. � Mississippi's Greg Gardner turned aside 33 shots and the Sea Wolves scored the opening four goals for the fifth straight game in the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs to blank the Louisiana IceGators 4-0 at the Cajundome.

The Sea Wolves lead the best-of-five Southwest Division Finals, 2 games to 0.

Mississippi opened the score at 18:56 of the first period. Darryl Campbell re-directed a John Evangelista shot past Kyle Kettles. The goal was Campbell�s second of the postseason.

There were outstanding saves at both ends of the ice. Sea Wolves veteran Cody Bowtell had a breakaway on the penalty kill, but Kettles made a stick save.

Late in the first, IceGators' Cal Benazic spotted Nathan Rempel in front. Mississippi goaltender Gardner lost his stick, but slid to his right to make a huge pad save on Rempel�s one-timer.

In the second, Mississippi connected on a 5-on-3 power play at 13:15. Sea Wolves veteran Dave Paradise blasted a left point shot into the back of the net. The third goal for Paradise during the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Sea Wolves continued to cause the IceGators fits. While shorthanded, Bowtell stole the puck at center and buried on the breakaway at 16:52, to make it 3-0 for Mississippi.

In the final minute, Louisiana pulled Kettles for the extra attacker. Campbell would deposit into the empty-net for his second of the game.

Gardner turned away all 33 shots to register his first shutout with Mississippi. He also improved to 5-0 in the playoffs.

Kettles made 28 saves, falling to 3-2 in the postseason. Mississippi went 1-for-6 with the man advantage. Louisiana failed to tally on six power play opportunities.

The Sea Wolves can wrap up the series with Game 3 on Monday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum beginning at 7:05 p.m. The first 1,700 fans receive a �Belk Rally Towel�.

Individual playoff tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.