Sea Wolves Top Wildcatters 5-3
March 20, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves News Release
BEAUMONT, Texas â Mississippi's Sergei Kuznetsov and Anthony Battaglia scored 17 seconds apart in the third period to break a 3-3 tie and give the Sea Wolves a 5-3 victory over the Texas Wildcatters at Ford Arena.
The victory was the fourth in a row for the Sea Wolves, which hold onto second place in the Central Division with a four-point lead over third place Pensacola, and nine back of first place Louisiana. The Ice Pilots defeated IceGators 3-2.
Sea Wolves lead the battle for the Nextel Cup against the Wildcatters, 22 points to 5.
"These two points were huge," Mississippi director of player development Chuck Thuss said. "We almost squandered it, but the guys beared down and clicked with two quick goals to break the Wildcatters back. We need to keep winning though, the importance of every game at this time of year is magnified."
Mississippi (39-19-7) started with a flurry of offense in the first period out shooting Texas 18-7. Kerry Ellis-Toddington sent a great lead pass to spring Battaglia, who rifled a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Davis Parley at 5:59. Battaglia's 20th tally of the season was also assisted by Patrick Rochon.
Sea Wolves made it 2-0 at the 11:54 mark. Ellis-Toddington leaned into a slap shot from the right circle and found the back of the net for his seventh goal of the campaign. Jim Baxter and Brent Gauvreau picked up helpers.
Mississippi continued its attack on the Wildcatters. Gauvreau came off the boards untouched and fired a shot top shelf for his 22nd goal of the year. Assists went to Steffon Walby and Andrew Proskurnicki.
Texas (19-40-5) changed its goaltenders to begin the second period, inserting Mark Scally for Parley. That seemed to ignite the Wildcatters attack, as Lukas Smital cut the margin to two, by cashing in his 16th goal of the year at 8:31 beating Sean Matile. Linemates Martin Masa and Cory Morgan garnered helpers.
The Wildcatters outshot the Sea Wolves 18-2 in the middle stanza and Texas made it a one-goal game at 18:23. Chris Taliercio centered the puck and followed up to deposit his fifth of the season. Assists went to Rae Metz and Ashley Langdone.
In the third, the Wildcatters knotted the score at 13:48. John Snowden pounced on a loose puck in close and buried his 19th of the year. John Campbell and Ryan Fultz collected assists.
Mississippi grabbed back the lead less than two minutes later. Kuznetsov swept home his 50th career goal on a scramble in front of the Texas net, with the Sea Wolves and 18th of the season. Anthony Battaglia picked up an assist along with Louis Dumont, who notches ECHL career assist 459, one from tying Chris Valicevic for the all-time league record.
Just 17 seconds later, Battaglia put the game away by beating Scally on a sharp angle shot for his second marker of the contest and 21st of the year. Kuznetsov had the lone helper.
Mississippi converted on 1 of 5 power play opportunities, while Texas went 1 for 2. Wildcatters outshot the Sea Wolves 36-34.
Additional Notes: Sea Wolves' Travis Lisabeth appeared in his 200th pro game ... Wildcatters' Trevor Wolfe made his pro debut finishing with a â1 ... A bus load from the Sea Wolves Wolf Pack Booster Club were in attendance.
The Sea Wolves finish three straight games on the road at 5:05 p.m. tomorrow against Texas at Ford Arena in Beaumont. Listen live at 4:50 p.m. with the Nextel Pregame Show on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at msseawolves.com.
Mississippi's next home game is at 7:35 p.m. on Friday against the Louisiana IceGators at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. It's 2-for-1 military night, sponsored by Keesler Federal Credit Union. Broadcast of the game starts at 7:20 p.m. with the Nextel Pregame Show on WTNI-AM 1640 and online at msseawolves.com.
Tickets for the Louisiana game can be purchased at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (228) 594-3707 and online at ticketmaster.com.
Season tickets for 2004-05 are on sale now! Discounted group tickets and fundraiser opportunities are also available for this season by calling (228) 275-WOLF.
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