DULUTH, Ga. � Mississippi goaltender Phil Sauve made a season-high 43 saves to post his first shutout of the season, while Nick Greenough scored the only goal of the game early in the third period to lift the Sea Wolves to a 1-0 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators before 4,827 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
With the win, Mississippi jumps one point ahead of Gwinnett and into a tie with Greenville for sixth place in the American Conference with 71 points.
�Sauve was tremendous tonight,� Mississippi coach Bob Woods said. �Team captain Louis Dumont said after the game that Sauve�s performance was the best he had ever seen in his 11 years in the ECHL. It was a big win, but our mission isn�t complete. We have a big game within 24 hours in Columbia in a tough building. It�s going to be intense.�
The goaltenders were the story after two scoreless periods. Mississippi (33-22-5, 71 points) had its best chances in the opening 40 minutes off the stick of Dumont in close midway through the second and a scramble in front denying Anthony Battaglia and Dumont, but Adam Berkhoel kept the Sea Wolves off the board.
Late in the second period, Gwinnett (31-20-8, 70 points) had a golden chance. Gladiators� Pat Dwyer, who was making his professional debut, was robbed on a shot from the slot by the glove of Sauve. Gladiators had a 30-24 shot advantage after two periods.
At the 2:00 mark of the third, Greenough re-directed a shot from Kerry Ellis-Toddington to tally his second goal in as many games since re-joining Mississippi in a trade on Sunday and it would be the only tally of the contest. Travis Lisabeth also picked up an assist.
The Gladiators pulled Berhoel in the final minute for the extra attacker. Gwinnett generated opportunities including a last second chance by Mike Vigilante, but Sauve lunged to his left to turn away his 43rd shot and preserve his first shutout of the season.
Mississippi was unable to convert on six power play chances, while Gwinnett went 0-of-4. Gladiators outshot the Sea Wolves 43-33.
Additional note: ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna was in attendance from the league office in Princeton, New Jersey.
Mississippi completes its two-game road trip with a contest at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow against the Columbia Inferno at the Carolina Coliseum. Listen live on flagship radio station WGCM-AM 1240, or online at msseawolves.com, courtesy of Teamline. The pregame show gets underway 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
The Sea Wolves return home for a game at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday versus the Victoria Salmon Kings at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Promotion for the game features Discounted Daiquiri Night, offering $2 off each daiquiri.
Individual tickets for Wednesday�s home game can be purchased at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (228) 385-2600 and online at ticketmaster.com.
Flex packs, discounted groups tickets, birthday packages and fundraiser opportunities are available by calling (228) 275-WOLF or online at msseawolves.com.
Season ticket packages for 2005-06, the 10th Anniversary Season of the Sea Wolves, are on sale now by calling (228) 275-WOLF. Ask about the �Early Bird Special.�
--- Box Score ---
SCORE BY PERIODS
Mississippi 0 0 1--1
Gwinnett 0 0 0--0
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: Dumont, MIS (High sticking),
1:59. Durno, GWT (Tripping), 4:55. Dumont, MIS (Tripping), 9:22.
Manson, GWT (Roughing), 12:07. Smyth, GWT (Elbowing), 15:41.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: Greenough, MIS (Fighting,
Major), 6:23. Smyth, GWT (Fighting, Major), 6:23. Durno, GWT
(Interference), 9:12. Sawruk, GWT (Tripping), 15:47.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Mississippi-Greenough 2 (game winner)
(Ellis-Toddington; Lisabeth) 2:00. Penalties: Battaglia, MIS (Holding),
7:29. Ustrnul, GWT (Holding), 10:54. Dumont, MIS (Slashing), 12:50.
SHOTS ON GOAL
Mississippi 11 13 9--33
Gwinnett 12 18 13--43
Power Play Conversions: Mississippi - 0 of 6, Gwinnett - 0 of 4.
Goalies: Mississippi-Sauve (43 shots, 43 saves; record: 9-3-2).
Gwinnett-Berkhoel (33 shots, 32 saves; record: 6-6-5).
A: 4827. Referee: Britt. Linesmen: Jones; Sousa.
