Sea Wolves Nab Nextel Cup, Top Wildcatters 5-3
April 1, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release
BEAUMONT, Texas â Mississippi scored three goals in the second period to take control against Texas, giving the Sea Wolves a season-high ninth consecutive win in a 5-3 victory over the Wildcatters before 2,444 fans at Ford Arena.
Following the game the Sea Wolves were presented with the Nextel Cup for winning the season series against the Wildcatters, 26 points to 5.
Mississippi's two points brings the total to 95 on the season, which extends its team record, which keeps the Sea Wolves within three points of Louisiana for first place in the Central Division. The IceGators defeated the Ice Pilots 4-1 at the Cajundome.
"It was a nice accomplishment to win the Nextel Cup," Mississippi coach Bob Woods said. "We played one of our best games over this winning stretch. It's going to be nice to finish the regular season at home. We have two big games against Pensacola tomorrow and Louisiana on Saturday."
Texas (20-44-6) opened the scoring at 14:56 of the first period. Tony Lawrence beat Sean Matile with a shot from the slot, potting his 16th goal of the campaign, assisted by Warren Toews and Ryan Fultz.
Mississippi (44-19-7) answered with less than two minutes remaining in the stanza. Louis Dumont rifled a shot from the high slot, Davis Parley got a piece of the puck, but not enough as it rolled into the net. The goal for Dumont was his team-leading 33rd of the year. Helpers went to Anthony Battaglia and Jim Baxter, who was named to the All-ECHL Second Team earlier in the day.
The Wildcatters regained their lead at 3:45 of the second. Cory Morgan carried the puck in front untouched and waited until Matile made a move, then deposited his 21st marker of the season. Lukas Smital had the lone assist.
Just over two minutes later, the Sea Wolves got back on even terms. Dwayne Blais unleashed a laser shot through traffic to connect on his 13th goal of the campaign. Helpers went to Lucas Drake and Yannick Tremblay, who picks up his first pro point.
Mississippi grabbed its first lead of the game at 7:28 of the middle stanza. Dumont centered for Travis Lisabeth, who netted his 18th goal of the year on his 24th birthday. Steve O'Rourke also garnered an assist.
The Sea Wolves continued to take the momentum by making it 4-2. Steffon Walby, who was named to the All-ECHL First Team for the third consecutive year earlier in the day, took a breakaway pass from Andrew Proskurnicki and extended his point streak to 10 games by scoring his team-tying 33rd goal. Baxter also drew his second helper of the game.
In the third, Sea Wolves' Roger Maxwell beat Parley from in close to notch his sixth goal of the season, which ties his career-high. Maxwell's marker put the game out of reach with assists going to Blais and Drake.
Texas rookie John Snowden rounded out the scoring with his 22nd of the season in the final minute. Martin Masa and Ryan Fultz picked up assists.
Mississippi went 0 for 1 on the power play, while Texas also failed with its one man advantage. Sea Wolves outshot the Wildcatters 48-32.
Additional Notes: Mississippi's Brent Gauvreau was held without a point and had his team record 14-game point streak halted (9g-12a) ... Sea Wolves' Austin Miller turned 26 years of age.
The Sea Wolves return home for games at 7:35 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves host the Pensacola Ice Pilots tomorrow with the game promotion consisting of 2-for-1 military, sponsored by Keesler Federal Credit Union. The Nextel Pregame Show gets underway at 7:20 p.m. on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at msseawolves.com.
On Saturday, Mississippi hosts the Louisiana IceGators. The Sea Wolves will be wearing special Southern Miss jerseys, which will be auctioned postgame to benefit the Southern Miss Alumni Scholarship Fund. It's also Fan Appreciation Night and Pack the House Night. Game coverage starts at 7:20 p.m. with the Nextel Pregame Show on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at msseawolves.com.
Tickets for the weekend games can be purchased at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (228) 594-3707 and online at ticketmaster.com.
Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are on sale for just $135, which includes a $25 down payment for 2004-05 season tickets by calling (228) 275-WOLF.
ECHL Stories from April 1, 2004
- Mississippi dials up the 'Catters, 5-3 - Texas Wildcatters
- IceGators Leave Home Ice With A 4-1 Win - Louisiana IceGators
- Sea Wolves Nab Nextel Cup, Top Wildcatters 5-3 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Pride prevail in OT - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Lynx Blank Snakes, 4-0 - Augusta Lynx
- Gladiators drop 5-4 OT decision to Pride - Atlanta Gladiators
- Nesting Dolls Friday and Replica Jersey Night Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- Deschatelets Named Gulls Player of the Month - San Diego Gulls
- Matchbox Cars and Jersey Raffle Highlight Season's Final Weekend - Fresno Falcons
- Willett and Mears to be Honored this Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- ECHL Playoffs Have Seen Share Of Last-Day Qualifiers - ECHL
- Garnett Recalled to Chicago - Atlanta Gladiators
- Titans sign Markusen, Allen goes to Binghamton - Trenton Devils
- Storey and Gustafson named to All-ECHL Team - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Walby, Baxter Named To 2003-04 All-ECHL Teams - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Nailers Jaffray named to All-ECHL Second Team - Wheeling Nailers
- Kuznetsov Placed On IR; Cava Activated - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- San Diego, Wheeling Tied In Brabham Cup Race - ECHL
- Six Still Fighting For Last Four Kelly Cup Playoff Berths - ECHL
- Post Season Meet and Greet/Jersey Auction with the Columbus Cottonmouths - Columbus Cottonmouths
- McCullough Named to All ECHL Second Team - Florida Everblades
- Bullies To Wear Casino-Themed Jerseys Saturday - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Neilson Named First Team All ECHL - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Pederson Named to All-ECHL Second Team - San Diego Gulls
- Curtin, Stirling Bring Bullies More Honors - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- 2003-04 All-ECHL Teams Announced - ECHL
- Mississippi Announces Top Players In March - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- USA Hockey Selects Former Wheeling Coach Laviolette To Coach National Team In World Championships - ECHL
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Chiefs Sign Defensman From University of New Brunswick - Johnstown Chiefs
- Condors Remain Hot, 3-1 Over Idaho - Bakersfield Condors
- Aces win 4-2, now .500 on road - Alaska Aces
- Ice Dogs flushed by Aces - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Gulls Beat Vegas In OT, 2-1 - San Diego Gulls
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