Game Preview - February 17th, 2012
Published on February 17, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi Surge News Release
Biloxi, MS - February 17, 2012 - The Mississippi Surge look to keep their hot streak going tonight with a tilt against the Louisiana IceGators at the Power Plant. Tonight's game kicks off another full weekend for the Surge. The team plays Friday and Saturday at the Power Plant before heading to Southaven for a Sunday matinee rematch with the Mississippi RiverKings. With a win tonight, Jeff Bes' squad can get within one point of Louisiana with three games in hand.
Next Home Game
Both of this weekend's games are Family Four Pack Nights. Get four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a family-sized popcorn for just $60. Saturday night is Military Appreciation Night as the Surge salute our men and women in uniform and the families that support them. Military jerseys will be auctioned off immediately following the game.
Tonight's Matchup
The Surge are 2-4-0 against the IceGators this season, with one of the wins coming on Tuesday night as the Surge defeated Louisiana 2-1 on an overtime goal by defenseman James Isaacs. The Gators snapped Mississippi's four game win streak with a win on February 3rd, and the Valentine's Day victory returned the favor, snapping a five game win streak for Louisiana.
Scouting the Gators
Kevin Kaminski's IceGators have been a streaky bunch with two five game win streaks and a four game winless streak this season. They followed their loss to the Surge on Tuesday by falling to Pensacola 5-3 last night. Their power play has been a key this season, and their 44 power play goals lead the SPHL. Offensively, the Gators are led by veteran winger Jason Hill, who sits second in the SPHL scoring race with 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists). Rookies Brayden Metz (22 goals, 25 assists) and Robert Short (25 goals, 18 assists) are also among the top ten in SPHL scoring.
The recent success of the IceGators has come on the back of rookie goaltender BJ O'Brien, who struggled after coming over from Augusta in a trade. O'Brien got on track against the Surge on February 3rd and led Louisiana to five straight wins, including a 2-0 shutout of Pensacola on February 8th. Tyler Lyon leads the IceGator defense corps in scoring with 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) and is one of only two Gator defensemen (Clark Byczynski) with a plus rating.
Game Review (Tuesday)
Keifer Smiley stopped 24 of the 25 shots against him at the CajunDome, including a brilliant save against Hill in overtime. The British Columbia native is among the leaders in most SPHL goaltending categories. Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn snapped a three game scoreless streak with his first period goal.
Extra Time
The Surge are 3-3 this season in extra time, including 1-1 in shootout games.
Season Series (6 meetings - 4 remaining)
Nov. 5 Louisiana 3 at Mississippi 2
Nov. 23 Louisiana 1 at Mississippi 5
Nov. 25 Mississippi 4 at Louisiana 6
Dec. 26 Mississippi 2 at Louisiana 4
Feb. 3 Mississippi 1 at Louisiana 3
Feb. 14 Mississippi 2 at Louisiana 1 OT
~~~~~
Military Jersey Auction on Saturday!
The Mississippi Surge will be wearing their Military Appreciation jerseys one more time on Saturday as they host fierce rivals, the Pensacola Ice Flyers. Over 5,000 tickets have been donated to local military bases and the jerseys will be auctioned off immediately following the game.
Seventeen jerseys will be auctioned off and the Shirt off Our Back jersey will again be Winner's Choice. The #11 jersey of Chris Chambers and our mascot jersey for Shock will also be auctioned. The jerseys of #9 Tyler Ruel and #13 Rob Campbell are not available.
Officers from Keesler Air Force Base, Naval Construction Battalion Center - Gulfport, Marine Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon - Gulfport, Camp Shelby and Coast Guard Station - Gulfport will be on hand to drop the ceremonial first puck. The game is being presented by American Air, the Air Force Reserve, Doorways, Inc., Rouse's Supermarket, Keesler Federal Credit Union, Mugshots Grill & Bar and J&D Construction.
For tickets, call the Surge office at (228) 287-7825 or the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Box Office.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Online Jersey Sale! Want a piece of game-worn Surge memorabilia? Home and Away jerseys are available for purchase via mssurge.com for just $400.
Jerseys will be presented to the purchaser following the final Surge playoff game. Jerseys are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the purchasers name will be displayed on the video board during Surge home games for the remainder of the season whenever the player's picture is displayed.
Log on to mssurge.com to reserve your jersey today! Get 'em while they last!
SPHL Stories from February 17, 2012
- Surge Shut out IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Surge Shut out IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Cottonmouths Need a Shootout to Edge the RiverHawks - Augusta RiverHawks
- 'Kings Fight Back, But Fall in Knoxville - Mississippi RiverKings
- Game Preview - February 17th, 2012 - Mississippi Surge
- IceGators Stumble in Loss to Ice Flyers - Louisiana IceGators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
