Re-Charged Surge Head Into Busy Weekend
February 10, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi Surge News Release
Biloxi, MS- February 10, 2012 - After a seven day break, the Mississippi Surge are hoping a week of rest and practice will return them to their hot streak as they play three games this weekend and four games in five nights.
The Surge saw their four game win streak snapped in Louisiana last Friday, dropping a 3-1 decision to the IceGators. The team looks to rebound on Friday night against rival Pensacola and build on the momentum of their recent success. The Surge have gone 8-3-2 since the turn of the calendar and rookie netminder Kiefer Smiley was recognized as the SPHL's SBK Player of the Month for January.
Head Coach Jeff Bes looks to lead his re-charged team into a big weekend well-rested and re-focused.
"The time off certainly gives us a chance to work out the kinks in practice and re-focus on the task at hand," said Bes. "With four games in five nights, the extra rest will help as well. It's a big stretch for us, but we'll take the games one at a time and hopefully build some serious momentum heading into the playoffs."
Heading into the stretch, Smiley has been carrying the load, and sits among the SPHL leaders in most goaltending categories. Former NHL draft pick Nick Eno returned to the team from an extended call up with two ECHL teams, giving Mississippi two solid options between the pipes. Defensively,Matt Ridley continues to chip in offensively, adding a power play assist in Louisiana, and defense partner Nicholas Kuqali continues to be a stalwart on the blue line with a +11 rating. Veteran Glenn Cacaro and rookies Ridley and James Isaacs have also jumped on the plus side of the page with their recent play.
Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and Shawn Skelly got back on the score sheet last Friday, and Versteeg-Lytwyn now sits ninth in league scoring with 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists). Both players were keys to the team's success in January and will look to continue that success down the stretch. Center Matt Kinnunen and winger Colin Reddin have been on fire as well. Kinnunen and Reddin also had their four game scoring streaks ended on Friday night. Veteran Rob Campbell has 11 points in his last 13 games. Kinnunen and Campbell both had seven game scoring streaks in January. Adam Stuart has come on of late, scoring goals in 2 of the last 3 games, while Nick Guran has points in three of his last five and Jeff Grant has provided leadership and energy to the group with strong defensive play and hard work.
The Ice Flyers enter Friday night's game in fourth place, with a 20-14-3 record. Statistically, Pensacola is in the middle of the pack in most categories, including goals for, goals against, power play and penalty kill, but Coach Todd Gordon's Ice Flyers play a disciplined game as the second least penalized team in the league. With the call up of Steve Christie, the Ice Flyers have struggled to find stability in the crease, but it seems to be coming around of late with the arrival of former Surge netminder Corey Milan. Since being picked up on waivers, the Massachusetts native has gone 3-1-1 with a 2.14 GAA and a .919 Save Percentage. Second year defenseman Tyler Soehner is fourth among SPHL defensemen in scoring with 24 points (4 goals, 20 assists), and Ryan Corry (1 goal, 13 assists) and Donnie Harris (5 goals, 8 assists) are also double digit point producers from the blue line.
Up front, the Ice Flyers are led by rookie Jordan Chong, the SPHL's second leading scorer among rookies with 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists). Veterans Chris Wilson (17 goals, 18 assists) and Mike Carter (15 goals, 17 assists) have also led the way with solid two-way play. Carter's +16 rating leads the team and is among the top ten in the league. Pensacola has received secondary scoring from Dan Bucella (13 goals, 14 assists), Ryan Salvis (6 goals, 20 assists), Matt Robertson (16 goals, 9 assists) and Andrew Harrison (15 goals, 6 assists).
While the Ice Flyers rolled off four wins in a row against the Surge, the Boys from Biloxi have momentum in the rivalry, beating Pensacola 2-1 in an emotional win at the Power Plant on January 27th. The Surge look to continue that on Friday. The team then travels to Columbus for a Saturday night contest with the Cottonmouths before returning to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum for Sunday's ed in the Rink game against the cross-state rival RiverKings. The Surge finish off the big stretch Tuesday night in Louisiana.
On Saturday, the Surge travel to Columbus to take on the Cottonmouths. The Snakes rebounded from a pair of back to back losses to the Surge and the Augusta RiverHawks by beating the Knoxville IceBears 4-2 on the road last Saturday. Mississippi's 4-1 victory over the Cottonmouths on Groundhog Day gave them the advantage in the season series with a 3-1-1 record against the Snakes.
Second year forward continued his hot play against the Surge, potting the only goal for Columbus in the loss last week and has six points in his last four games. Tough guy Daniel Amesbury continues to lead the league in penalty minutes (173) despite playing in only 21 games. Defensemen Bret Tyler (4 goals, 27 assists) and Tom Maldonado (5 goals, 17 assists) are among the top five in defenseman scoring in the league, and the goaltending tandem of Ian Vigier and Andrew Loewen bolster the league's best defensive team.
The Surge return home on Sunday to face off against the cross-state rival RiverKings. The RiverKings have the SPHL's most anemic offense, and are the only team in the SPHL yet to score 100 goals on the season, due in part to a league worst 11.04% success rate on the power play. Captain Darrell Stoddard leads the RiverKings in scoring with 28 points (6 goals, 22 assists). Winger Mike Tuomi has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) against the Surge this season and Ken Selby notched a pair of goals the last time the RiverKings visited the Power Plant.
Goalies David Wilson and Scott Darling, who enjoyed a brief call up to the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, have been solid, if not spectacular, between the pipes with GAA's just north of 3.00 and Save Percentages just below .900. Wilson won his only start against the Surge, taking a 3-2 victory at home back on January 3rd. Darling has gone 1-3 against Mississippi, with his lone victory coming 3-2 in overtime on January 8th in Biloxi.
The weekend is shaping up to give the Surge a chance to gain some ground against Columbus and Pensacola while distancing themselves from the RiverKings. For game recaps and more information, visit msssurge.com and check us out on facebook!
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Mardi Gras Jersey Auction in the Power Plant
You're invited! Join the Surge this Friday, February 10th as they face off against the rival Pensacola Ice Flyers at 7:05 courtesy of Bay Tobacco. 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!
Game-worn Mardi Gras jerseys will be auctioned off immediately after the game! Get your hands on a great piece of Surge memorabilia and one of the most popular jerseys we do each year.
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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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!
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Surge Introduce Red in the Rink
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.
A limited number of "Red in the Rink" T-Shirts, courtesy of Pro Medical Transcription Services and Whole Health Chiropractic, will be available at the Merchandise stand on the north concourse! Get yours while they last for just $15!
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Military Discounts! A proud supporter of the men and women who serve our great nation, the Surge are offering $3 off across the board on all tickets for all military personnel, active duty and retired, and their families. Show your military ID at the Coast Coliseum Box Office or the Surge office and get tickets for $10/$15/$18 in the silver, blue and yellow levels respectively.
We thank you for your service and look forward to seeing you at the "Power Plant"!
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Family Four Packs Looking for a great entertainment value for your family without zapping your wallet? Bring your family to the Power Plant on one of our select Family Four Pack nights and get four blue or silver level Surge tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a family-sized popcorn for just $60.
Surge Family Four Pack Nights:
* February 10th vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers
* February 17th vs. Louisiana Ice Gators
* February 18th vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers
* February 25th vs. Louisiana Ice Gators
* March 16th vs. Columbus Cottonmouths
* March 17th vs. Huntsville Havoc
* March 24th vs. Louisiana Ice Gators
Contact the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Box office or the Surge Office at (228) 287-7825 for more information.
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Don't Miss a Single Minute of Surge Action! 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!
SPHL Stories from February 10, 2012
- Snetsinger the Overtime Hero for the RiverHawks - Augusta RiverHawks
- 'Kings Battle Back, But Fall to IceGators - Mississippi RiverKings
- Ice Flyers Sign New 3-Year Lease - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Show Some Love to Veterans; Bring Gently Used Items to RiverKings Game Tonight - Mississippi RiverKings
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers at Mississippi Surge - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Re-Charged Surge Head Into Busy Weekend - Mississippi Surge
- Ice Bears' Olauson Hat Trick Leads to Victory - Knoxville Ice Bears
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