Groundhog Day Massacre
Published on February 2, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi Surge News Release
Biloxi, MS- February 2nd, 2012 - The Surge came out with all guns blazin' on Guns & Hoses Night at the Power Plant, using an opening salvo of 19 shots and three goals in the first period to skate off with a dominating 4-1 win over the visiting Columbus Cottonmouths. Both teams entered the Groundhog Day tilt on hot streaks with Columbus on a 10-2-2 run since Christmas and the Surge collecting points in 9 out of their 11 games in January. Four different Surge players scored and ten different players notched points as the Surge ran their current winning streak to four games.
Shawn Skelly opened the scoring, converting a pass from Tyler Ruel just 30 seconds after Cottonmouths defenseman Peter MacDougall was sent off for hooking. Skelly potted his 11th of the season from the bottom the right circle, wristing a shot past Columbus goaltender Andrew Loewen at 5:54. Defenseman Matt Ridley picked up the secondary assist on the play. The Surge kept the energy up and would convert again at 13:33 with Adam Stuart banging in his tenth goal of the year on a rebound off the post after Nicholas Kuqali put a shot on net from the point. Matt Kinnunen continued his hot streak, notching an assist on the goal. The helper gives the former Cottonmouths center points in his last four contests and points in 11 of his last 12. Daniel Amesbury, who leads the SPHL in fighting majors sought to spark the Snakes right off the ensuing draw, taking on Billy Siers in an exciting tilt. Amesbury landed a few right hands, but Siers was the clear winner of the bout. The Surge would end the period with Colin Reddin's seventh goal of the year after Kinnunen rushed the crease from the right circle. Loewen made the initial stop, but couldn't cover up and Reddin deposited the loose puck to give the Surge the 3-0 lead after the first period.
Columbus would come out and try to establish the physical play early in the second. Columbus forward Derek Pallardy boarded Glenn Cacaro at 0:56 resulting in a four-on-four situation after James Isaacs was tabbed for retaliating and was given a roughing minor. The Surge would respond by continuing the onslaught on Loewen and Nick Guran would convert a rebound of a Rob Campbell shot for his 8th goal of the year. Jeff Grant also assisted on the play and Campbell's helper gave the veteran winger 11 points in his last 12 games. The Snakes would finally solve Kiefer Smiley at 17:23 of the period, as Jordan Braid re-directed a Greg Beller shot past Smiley on the power play just ten seconds after Kinnunen went off for boarding. Columbus would take advantage of the goal to swing the momentum their way after a couple of minor penalties created a four-on-four for the rest of the period.
The Surge played sound defensive hockey through the third to hold on for the win. Mark Pawlowski picked up his first penalty minutes of the season, dropping the gloves with Amesbury after Mitch Wall leveled Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn in the Columbus zone at 15:47. Mississippi outshot the Cottonmouths 38-22 for the game and are now 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.
The Surge head to Lafayette to take on the Louisiana Ice Gators tomorrow night at 7:05 pm. They return home next Friday, February 10th for Mardi Gras Night at 7:05 in the Power Plant. Beads, throws, an on-ice Mardi Gras parade during the first intermission and a Surge Mardi Gras jersey auction are just part of the fun. Call the Surge Office or the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Box Office for tickets.
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Don't Miss a Minute of Exciting Surge Action at Hooters Biloxi Beach
Hooters Biloxi Beach is the official location for all Surge away games. Never miss a single shot, pass, check or fight. Catch the Mississippi Surge on the America One network at Hooters Biloxi Beach!
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Mardi Gras Ball on Friday Night in the Power Plant!
You're invited! Join the Surge on Friday, February 10th as they face off against the rival Pensacola Ice Flyers at 7:05. Beads, masks, throws, Krewe costumes, a first intermission on-ice Mardi Gras parade and a Surge Mardi Gras jersey auction are just part of the fun as we celebrate Mardi Gras in the Power Plant... Surge Style!
Beads are being collected after the game to benefit Gulf Coast Industries in support of the Gulf Coast Mental Health Center's Workshop for Developmentally Disabled Adults. For every ticket sold using the coupon below, $5 will be donated to GCI.
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Surge Introduce "Red in the Rink" on Sunday, Feb. 12!
Red in the Rink Logo [http://www.mssurge.com/]
In partnership with the American Heart Association of Mississippi and their Go Red for Women Program, the Surge are turning the Power Plant red on Sunday, February 12th. Mention the coupon code: HEARTS and receive a $15 ticket, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association.
To order tickets or to get more information on how you can support "Red in the Rink" Night and the American Heart Association, call the Surge office at (228) 287-7825.
SPHL Stories from February 2, 2012
- Groundhog Day Massacre - Mississippi Surge
- Ice Flyers' Offense Comes To Life In 8-1 Victory - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- RiverKings Players Serve as Celebrity Readers to FACS Pre-School Classes - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings Acquire Boutin-Gagnon - Mississippi RiverKings
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers at Fayetteville FireAntz - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Surge Game Preview - Mississippi Surge
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers at Fayetteville FireAntz - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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