Sea Wolves Strike Past Gladiators 4-3 In Game 2
April 9, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release
BILOXI, Miss. â Mississippi's Sergei Kuznetsov scored two goals including the game-winner on the power-play with just 23 seconds left in regulation to propel the Sea Wolves to 4-3 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators in Game 2, knotting the best-of-five Central Division Semifinals series 1-1.
"It was a stressful game, but we survived in the late going," Sea Wolves coach Bob Woods said. "No one is going to run away with this series. We have to continue to be disciplined. It's going to be a battle at Gwinnett for Games 3 and 4."
Mississippi made the most of a fortunate bounce to open the score at 5:55. The puck was dumped into the corner and Gwinnett goaltender Michael Garnett went behind his cage to play it, but the puck took a wicked bounce off the boards and came in front where the Sea Wolves' Louis Dumont slid it into the open net. Patrick Rochon, who was playing in his 50th career Mississippi postseason game becoming the first player in team history to reach the milestone, picked up an assist.
Gwinnett replied on the power play. Anthony Aquino whipped a pass into the slot for a pinching Rick Emmett, who beat Greg Gardner for his second goal of the postseason in as many games. Brandon Dietrich, who finished second in the ECHL with 60 assists in the regular season, grabbed a helper.
In the second, the Sea Wolves recaptured their lead with the man advantage. On the attack, Dumont passed to Kuznetsov, who fed Anthony Battaglia and a nifty backhand to forehand move, deposting his second goal in the second postseason game of his career at the 7:04 mark.
The Gladiators pulled even once again on another power play. Blue Bennefield sent a wrist shot from the right circle through the pads of Gardner, tying the score 2-2 at 12:50.
Mississippi would regain its lead, on another ricochet off a partition. Kuznetsov rifled a shot, which hit the end partition and bounced in front, where Kuznetsov found himself all alone. Garnett stopped his first shot, but Kuznetsov had enough time to backhand in the rebound, making it 3-2 for Mississippi. Assists went to Battaglia and Rochon.
In the third, Gwinnett's power play went back to work. Jim Jackson re-directed a shot at the low left circle to pull even 3-3. Wes Swinson and Kris Goodjohn garnered helpers.
At 17:51, Swinson was called for a hooking infraction. On the ensuing power play, Kuznetsov scored the game-winner at 19:37, potting the goal past a lunging Garnett.
Mississippi converted on 2 of 9 power play opportunities, while Gwinnett went 3 for 7. Sea Wolves outshot the Gladiators 39-32.
Additional Note: Mississippi's Steffon Walby played in his 100th career playoff game.
The series next game shifts to Duluth, Georgia for Game 3 at 6:35 p.m. CT tomorrow at Gwinnett Center. Listen live beginning at 6:20 p.m. with the Nextel Pregame Show on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at msseawolves.com.
Individual playoff tickets are on sale at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (228) 594-3707 and online at ticketmaster.com.
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