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Mississippi Maintains Winning Streak in First Place

March 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release


BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Sea Wolves were successful in all three games last week by picking up victories in each and extended their lead in the Southwest Division to five points over the second place Louisiana IceGators.

On Tuesday, Mississippi edged Arkansas 3-2 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Jackson 4-3 in overtime on Thursday at the Wolves Den. Then on Friday, Mississippi came from three goals down in the third period at Pensacola and bounced the Ice Pilots, 6-5 in overtime.

After 66 games, Mississippi's overall record is 41-21-4 for a total of 86 points. The Sea Wolves have won a team-record 10 in a row at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and are 24-7-3 at home. Mississippi is 17-14-1 on the road.

The Week Ahead at a Glance:

Tonight, March 17 at Arkansas RiverBlades – 7:05 p.m. CT ALLTEL Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas

Tuesday, March 18 – Day off

Wednesday, March 19 – Practice open to the public from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, March 20 – No ice. Day off.

Friday, March 21 – No ice. To be determined.

Saturday, March 22 at Louisiana IceGators – 7:05 p.m. CT Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana

Sunday, March 23 vs. Arkansas RiverBlades – 7:05 p.m. CT (*Note new start time) Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi

Game Previews:

Tonight, March 17 at Arkansas RiverBlades – 7:05 p.m. CT ALLTEL Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas

It's game 11-of-12 in the regular season head-to-head meetings. Mississippi is 6-3-1 against Arkansas this season. Through five of six games at ALLTEL Arena, the Sea Wolves are 3-2-0 against the RiverBlades.

The Sea Wolves have won the last four games between the teams. The last meeting had Mississippi slipping past Arkansas 3-2 on March 11 at the Wolves Den. Defenseman Austin Miller scored the game-winner, while short-handed for the Sea Wolves. Sean Matile turned away 20 shots to collect the win. Scott Fankhouser made 39 saves to suffer the loss.

Steffon Walby leads the Sea Wolves with 10 assists and 15 points against the RiverBlades. Walby is also tied with Dave Paradise in goals with five versus Arkansas.

Buddy Smith has a team-high 11 assists and 15 points against the Sea Wolves. Jason Bermingham leads the way with five goals versus Mississippi.

Mississippi's all-time regular season record against the RiverBlades through 31 games is 19-9-3.

The Sea Wolves all-time regular season record at Arkansas is 12-5-1 through 18 games.

Saturday, March 22 at Louisiana IceGators – 7:05 p.m. CT Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana

It's the 12th and final regular season head-to-head meeting. Mississippi is 4-7-0 against Louisiana this season. After five of six games at the Cajundome, the Sea Wolves have posted a 2-3-0 record versus the IceGators.

The Sea Wolves won the last meeting between the teams, 4-1 on February 16 at Louisiana. Mike Scott scored the game-winner for Mississippi. Sean Matile backstopped the Sea Wolves to victory making 29 saves. Kyle Kettles took the loss, turning aside 26-of-30.

Dave Paradise is tops with seven goals and 13 points against Louisiana. Paradise and Sea Wolves captain Steffon Walby both have six helpers to lead Mississippi in that department against the IceGators.

Shawn McNeil has scored 10 goals in 11 games and has 16 points for Louisiana against Mississippi. Active IceGators' Kenny Corupe and Nathan Rempel each have seven assists this season, which is tied for the team-high in the games versus the Sea Wolves.

The Sea Wolves all-time regular season record against the IceGators after 53 games is 26-23-4.

Mississippi's all-time regular season record at the Cajundome is 10-13-3 through 26 games.

Sunday, March 23 vs. Arkansas RiverBlades – 7:05 p.m. CT (*Note new start time) Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi

Mississippi will be trying to extend three team-records in this game. The Sea Wolves enter with a 10-game home winning streak, 16-game unbeaten streak at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum (14-0-2) and 24 home victories this season.

It's the 12th and final regular season match-up between the teams during the regular season. The last game between Mississippi and Arkansas was on Monday at ALLTEL Arena in North Little Rock.

The Sea Wolves all-time home record against Arkansas at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum is 7-4-2 after 13 games.

Player of the Week:

Forward Dave Paradise registered five points in three games last week, highlighted by scoring a hat trick including the overtime game-winner on Thursday against Jackson. The 6-foot and 190-pound native of St. Paul, Minnesota picked up an assist on Tuesday in the win over Arkansas. Then finished the week by scoring a goal helping Mississippi rally past Pensacola on Friday.

Paradise has career-highs with 37 goals, 36 assists and 73 points this season, plus a team-high plus-32 rating in 62 games.

Goaltender of the Week:

Greg Gardner racked up two more wins last week to extend his winning streak to nine games. The 6-foot and 190-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario stopped 23 shots, allowing just one goal in the win against Jackson. On Friday, Gardner turned away 39-of-44 shots at Pensacola collecting the overtime win.

Gardner has career-highs and team-records with 29 wins and 49 games played. He has an overall record of 29-14-4, 2.71 goals against average and .921 save percentage.

Streaking Sea Wolves:

Mississippi has won a team-record 10 straight at home and are unbeaten in a team-record 16 consecutive games (14-0-2) at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The last regulation loss the Sea Wolves suffered at home was on December 20 against Louisiana.

Goaltender Greg Gardner has won nine straight games.

Veteran forward Cody Bowtell has points over his last six games (4g-7a).

Veteran forward Dave Paradise has a three-game point streak (4g-1a) and two-game goal streak (4g).

Defenseman Chris Allen has three assists over his last two games.

Defenseman Jim Baxter has points and assists over this last two games (1g-4a).

Forward Travis Lisabeth has a two-game assists streak (2a).

Veteran forward Steffon Walby has three goals over his last two games.

Injured Reserve:

Defenseman Chris Cava and forward Stu Pietersma are on the 7-day injured reserve. Goaltender Mike Buckley is still on the 30-day IR.

Transactions from last week:

03/12 Delete Stu Pietersma (F) placed on 7-day injured reserve
03/13 Add David Cornacchia (D) activated off 30-day injured reserve
03/14 Add Chuck Thuss (G) as emergency back-up

Sea Wolves ‘On the Air':

Listen to live play-by-play action on the Sea Wolves flagship radio station at 92.5 KISSFM. Bring your radio and headphones to the home games!

The hard-hitting, fast paced hockey excitement is also available online at MsSeaWolves.com by clicking on ‘Listen Live', which links to SportsJuice.com.

Sea Wolves in the Community:

Tuesday, March 18 6:00-9:00 p.m.

'Hooks and Heels' Hockey Clinic for Women and Girls held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.

$15 registration fee includes a free t-shirt and ticket voucher for upcoming home game

Groups, organizations and companies interested in having members of the Sea Wolves appear at an event, are invited to call 228-275-WOLF (9653).

Individual game tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office and by calling 228-594-3707.



ECHL Stories from March 17, 2003


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.

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