IceGators Outduel Sea Wolves, 5-3
March 22, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release
LAFAYETTE, La. In a showdown for first place in the Southwest Division, the Louisiana IceGators regained the top spot by scoring three power play goals to propel past the Mississippi Sea Wolves, 5-3.
The IceGators won thier fifth straight game and picked up two points for a total of 87, moving past Mississippi by one point.
Louisiana (38-19-11) opened the score on the power play at 1:23. Bobby Brown beat Greg Gardner, connecting on his 36th goal of the season.
The IceGators made it 2-0 at 5:32. Shawn McNeil continued his dominance of Mississippi, tallying his 11th marker against the Sea Wolves this season.
McNeil went back to work again at 9:07. McNeil scored Louisianas second power play goal of the game and 39th of the season, making it 3-0 for the IceGators.
For the fourth straight game, the Sea Wolves trailed by three goals. Mississippi (41-23-4) cut into Louisianas lead at 10:47. Sea Wolves captain Steffon Walby unleashed a shot from the low right circle past Phil Osaer. The goal was Walbys 41st of the season and 250th of his professional career.
In the second period, Louisiana regained its three-goal lead with another goal on the power play. Andrew Proskurnicki tallied his third marker of the year at 6:43, giving the IceGators a 4-1 cushion.
Mississippi cut the margin to a pair at 11:15. Travis Lisabeth netted his 17th goal of the campaign from in front of the net, making it 4-2 Louisiana through 40 minutes of action.
The Sea Wolves narrowed the gap to one at 12:57. Mike Scott buried a rebound to pot his 25th of the year, making it 4-3 for Louisiana.
Mississippi pulled Gardner with time winding down, but Louisiana forward Kenny Corupe scored into the empty-net with 52 seconds left in regulation to seal the IceGators victory.
As the teams were headed off the ice at the conclusion of the game, the players converged and a couple fights broke out. Sea Wolves Jeff Hutchins tangled with IceGators Derek Boogaard. Mississippi backup goaltender Sean Matile came in as the third man and knocked down Boogaard. Then Mississippis Austin Miller and Louisianas Nathan Rempel dropped the gloves.
Gardner turned away 20 shots, falling to 29-16-4. Louisianas Osaer made 26 saves on 29 shots, improving to 2-1-0 on the season.
Mississippi failed to score with six opportunities on the power play. Louisiana converted on 3-of-7 chances with the man advantage.
The Sea Wolves return home tonight to play host to Arkansas. The start time has been changed to 7:05 p.m. at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Individual game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.
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ECHL Stories from March 22, 2003
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