COLUMBIA, S.C. � Columbia�s Eric Boulton scored the game-winning goal just 21 seconds into overtime to give the Inferno a dramatic 3-2 triumph over the Mississippi Sea Wolves before 3,629 at the Carolina Coliseum.
Mississippi gains one point with the overtime loss and sits tied with Gwinnett for sixth place in the 12-team American Conference, where the top eight make the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
�It was a frustrating ending to an intense game,� Mississippi coach Bob Woods said. �We played well for the most part. It was nice to get a point in a tough building. We�re now looking forward to coming home for games on Wednesday and Friday.�
After a scoreless first period, Columbia (32-17-10, 74 points) outshot Mississippi (33-22-6, 72 points) 10-5. Sea Wolves� Randy Petruk and Inferno goaltender Rob McVicar had a tidy opening stanza.
In the second, Inferno opened the score at the 8:17 mark. Walker McDonald buried a centering pass for his eighth tally of the season set up by Boulton and Steve Burgess.
The Sea Wolves tied it 1-1 on the power-play at 13:57. Chris Cava let go with a point shot, jammed in by Nick Greenough for his third goal in as many games since rejoining Mississippi in a trade on Sunday. Kerry Ellis-Toddington also added a helper, which was his 100th career professional point and third straight game with an assist.
Columbia grabbed the lead again on a quick turnaround shot by former Sea Wolves forward Brad Ralph, who played with Mississippi in 2001-02, netted his team-leading 25th goal of the season. The goal came at 14:58 assisted by Burgess and D�Arcy McConvey.
Mississippi got back on even terms on the penalty kill. Sea Wolves� Darryl Campbell raced up the left wing and handcuffed McVicar with a shot from the left circle at the 17:10 mark. Campbell�s fifth marker of the campaign was an unassisted shorthand goal making it 2-2 after 40 minutes of action.
The game headed to overtime and Boulton hammered a right circle shot into the back of the net, just 21 seconds into overtime for his 16th goal of the season.
Mississippi converted on 1-of-4 power play chances, while Columbia went 0-for-3. Inferno outshot the Sea Wolves 31-26.
The Sea Wolves return home for their next game at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday versus the Victoria Salmon Kings, the first ECHL based in Canada, to be held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The game promotion is Discounted Daiquiri Night, offering a $2 discount 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 2 0 0--2
Columbia 0 2 0 1--3
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: Ulwelling, CBA (Hooking),
4:07. Demmans, CBA (Slashing), 11:31. Battaglia, MIS (Roughing),
16:00.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Columbia-McDonald 8 (Boulton; Burgess)
8:17. 2, Mississippi-Greenough 3 (power play) (Cava; Ellis-Toddington)
13:57. 3, Columbia-Ralph 25 (Burgess; McConvey) 14:58. 4,
Mississippi-Campbell 5 (short handed) (unassisted) 17:10. Penalties:
Busniuk, CBA (Tripping), 13:22. Battaglia, MIS (Tripping), 16:30.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: Owens, CBA (Slashing),
6:41. Fitzpatrick, CBA (Roughing), 9:05. Campbell, MIS (Roughing),
9:05. Fitzpatrick, CBA served by Eaton (Ten minute misc.), 9:05.
Miller, MIS (High sticking), 14:31.
OVERTIME -- Scoring: 5, Columbia-Boulton 16 (game winner) (Burgess;
Ulwelling) 0:21. Penalties: None.
SHOTS ON GOAL
Mississippi 5 12 8 1--26
Columbia 10 12 8 1--31
Power Play Conversions: Mississippi - 1 of 4, Columbia - 0 of 3.
Goalies: Mississippi-Petruk (31 shots, 28 saves; record: 3-2-1).
Columbia-McVicar (26 shots, 24 saves; record: 13-11-4).
A: 3629. Referee: Banfield. Linesmen: Finley; Wright.
