Surge Drop Two on Weekend Road Trip
February 16, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi Surge News Release
Biloxi, MS - The Surge return home with a point, playing two road games this past weekend, losing 6-2 against a hot, first placed Pensacola team and suffering a tough shoot out loss versus a determined Knoxville group.
Pensacola IceFlyers Adam Pawlick, John Dunbar, and Joe Caveney, each scored a pair of goals carrying Pensacola to a 6-2 victory over the Mississippi Surge.
After a scoreless first period, the IceFlyers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead early in the second. The Surge were finally able to get on the scoreboard when Surge Defenseman Joe Tolles (Assist by Dion Campbell & Jordan Peddle) slapped a shot passed IceFlyers net minder Peter Di Salvo, on a Surge power play closing the Pensacola lead to 2-1. Pensacola started the third with another score by John Dunbar (Assist by Bennett Schneider & Steve Bergin) extending the IceFlyers lead 3-1. The Surge refused to go down easy, with a power play goal by Surge Defenseman Jarkko Leppanen (Assist by Ian Boots & Joe Tolles) The Surge battled hard against a high octane Pensacola offense, but any lingering Surge momentum was crushed as Pensacola went on to put up three more goals sealing a victory.
Peter Di Salvo picked up his 9th win of the season saving 35 of 37, while Surge goaltender Dan Clarke leaves Pensacola losing his 10th game of the year, saving 37 shots.
In Knoxville, Mississippi suffered the team's first shoot out loss this season. In only the second game the two teams have played against each other this season, the IceBears split the series 1-1. The loss in Knoxville came in exciting, although disappointing fashion, as when Left Wing Anthony Battaglia (Assist by Lucas LaBelle & Kyle Kudroch) scored with only 25 seconds left in regulation after the Surge pulled goalie Mathieu Dugas. Both teams put two shots on goal in an even overtime period before the matchup was decided in a shootout.
Surge shooter Jeff Martens couldn't get a shot passed IceBears goaltender Bryan Hince, followed by Kyle Kudroch who missed his first shootout goal this season. Knoxville's Jon Higgins put the first shootout goal in net, which was immediately followed by a Jordan Peddle score to match the count. After Dion Campbell and Joe Tolles came up blank, Francis Drolet ended the game in Knoxville's favor.
Neither team scored on their power plays, the Surge 0-2 and the IceBears 0-3. Surge netminder Mathieu Dugas saved 36 of 37 during regulation, while his counterpart Bryan Hince saved 23 of 24 for the IceBears.
The Surge look forward to a weekend home stand against the Peoria Rivermen this Friday, February 21st, followed by Pensacola on Saturday, February 22nd. Tickets for the game on the 21st are marked down to $10 per person when purchased through the front office during normal office hours and before 4:00pm on gameday. Saturday's tickets are marked to $10 for casino employee's and their families.
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SPHL Stories from February 16, 2014
- IceGators Squeak by Pensacola in Shootout - Louisiana IceGators
- Rank Earns Second Straight Shutout in 3-0 Win - Peoria Rivermen
- RiverKings Fall in Road Trip Finale - Mississippi RiverKings
- Thunder Score Four Straight to Topple FireAntz in OT - Bloomington Thunder
- Surge Drop Two on Weekend Road Trip - Mississippi Surge
- Ice Bears Electrify Crowd with 2-1 Win - Knoxville Ice Bears
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