Sea Wolves Clinch Southwest Division Title, But Bandits win 6-2

Published on March 29, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release


JACKSON, Miss. – For the first time in team history, the Mississippi Sea Wolves clinched first place in the Southwest Division during the regular season, despite suffering a 6-2 setback at Jackson.

The Sea Wolves ended Louisiana's five-year reign as division champions during the regular season, as the IceGators dropped a 2-1 shootout decision against Arkansas. Mississippi (44-24-4) completed its regular season with a team record 44 wins and 92 points.

The Sea Wolves also won the battle for the Nextel Cup in the season series against the Bandits, taking 9-of-12 games. At the conclusion of the game, Mississippi was presented with the Nextel Cup.

Jackson (38-25-8) won its fifth straight game and scored the first goal of the game at 5:30. Bandits captain Sean Gillam carried up the left wing, then cut to the net and beat Greg Gardner for his fourth goal of the season.

The Bandits made it 2-0, just 20 seconds later. Sean O'Connor picked off a Sea Wolves clearing attempt and buried a shot from the slot over the left shoulder of Gardner. The 12th goal of the year for O'Connor made it 2-0 for Jackson.

Jackson built up a 3-0 cushion, with a couple former Sea Wolves combining on the power play. A point shot from Jeff Bes was re-directed by Brent Gauvreau into the back of the Mississippi net at 12:28. The goal for Gauvreau was his 19th marker of the season

In the second, Mississippi got on the board on the power play at 5:35. Rookie Kent Davyduke notched his 19th of the season, wristing the puck past Ty Garner from in close.

The Bandits regained their three-goal advantage at 12:09. John McNabb unleashed a left circle shot, beating Sean Matile. McNabb's 35th of the year made it 4-1 for Jackson.

Jackson kept coming in the middle stanza. Josh Olson let fly with a left circle shot on the power play, giving the Bandits a 5-1 lead. The goal for Olson was his ninth of the campaign.

In the third, the Sea Wolves scored their league-leading 19th short-handed goal. Travis Lisabeth tallied on a centering pass from Darryl Campbell at 6:12. The goal was Lisabeth's 19th of the year.

Olson rounded out the scoring by deflecting a Reagan Rome point shot in at 11:18.

Gardner made 13 saves on 16 shots in the first period, finishing the regular season with a 32-17-4 record. Matile stopped 30-of-34 shots over the final 40 minutes for Mississippi. Garner turned away 28-of-30 shots, raising his record to 18-16-4.

Mississippi converted on 1-of-8 opportunities with the man advantage. Jackson tallied on 2-of-7 chances on the power play.

The Sea Wolves open the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs at home on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. for Game 1 of the Southwest Division Semifinals at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, against a still to be determined opponent. Game 2 will also be played at the Wolves Den on Friday at 7:35 p.m.

Mississippi's slogan for the postseason is ‘One Cup. One Goal.' The Sea Wolves will have special white commemorative sweaters available to commemorate the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Sea Wolves intend to have a ‘white-out' in effect for Game 1 on Wednesday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 29, 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.

OurSports Central