Sea Wolves Edge Everblades, 3-2

December 9, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release


ESTERO, Fla. – Mississippi's Brent Gauvreau scored two goals and added an assist as the Sea Wolves rallied to win their season-high fourth straight over a five-day span, delivering the Florida Everblades their first regulation loss at home this year, with a 3-2 final before 4,888 at TECO Arena.

With the win, Mississippi moves into a tie for second place with idle Louisiana in the Central Division with 28 points.

"It was a great playoff-style hockey game," said Sea Wolves coach Bob Woods. "Our players are realizing what it takes to be successful in this league. You have to pay the price and guys were sticking up for one another. I'm happy with the effort."

The best chance for Florida (14-5-4) in the first period came off a Jay Legault breakaway. However, Sea Wolves goaltender Sean Matile, who beat his former team for the first time in three regular season games, got a piece of the puck to deny Legault.

Mississippi (12-8-4) got its offense in gear while shorthanded. On a 2-on-1 break, Steffon Walby moved in on the right wing side and sent a centering pass across for Brent Gauvreau, and he slid the puck by Jeff Maund at 17:45. Gauvreau's 11th goal of the year also extended Walby's point streak to nine games (8g-16a).

Everblades tied the score at 4:01 of the second period. Brent McDonald sent a pass in front from the near corner, it went off the goal stick of Matile and into the back of the net. It was McDonald's 10th of the campaign.

The ECHL's highest scoring line gave Florida its first lead of the game on the power-play. Keith Anderson netted his 13th goal of the year, with assists going to McDonald and the league's top point producer, Brian McCullough.

Mississsippi started its comeback at 4:00 of the third. Walby, with his helmet knocked off earlier in the shift, buried on the backhand in close on the power-play for his 13th goal in 17 games.

Gauvreau scored his second of the game and the eventual game-winner at the 9:20 mark by waiting and then placing a backhand shot over Maund.

Florida dropped to 8-1-2 at home this season.

Mississippi converted on 1-of-9 chances on the power-play, while Florida went 1-for-5. Sea Wolves outshot the Everblades, 40-33.

Three Sea Wolves did not finish the game. Jim Baxter (broken skate), Travis Lisabeth (knee) and Andrei Lupandin was boarded awkwardly in the Mississippi zone by Jay Legault, who was handed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Lupandin was sent to a local hospital. His status was unavailable at press time.

Mississippi wraps up its three-game road swing with a game starting at 7:05 p.m. on Friday at Pensacola. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. with the Nextel Pregame Show on WXBD-AM 1490 and online at www.msseawolves.com.

The Sea Wolves next home game is at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday against the Louisiana IceGators at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Promotions include "Hooks Holiday Toy Drive". The Sea Wolves mascot, Hook, is asking fans to bring a new unwrapped toy to the game for delivery to the pediatric ward at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. There are also $2 draft beers and $2 hotdogs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Listen live on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at www.msseawolves.com starting with the Nextel Pregame Show at 7:20 p.m.

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

Season seat packages, flex plans and discounted group tickets are still on sale by calling 228-275-WOLF.



ECHL Stories from December 9, 2003


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