Surge Game Preview - February 3, 2012
February 3, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi Surge News Release
Biloxi, MS- February 2nd, 2012 - Two teams heading in different directions face off tonight as the Mississippi Surge travel to Lafayette to take on the Louisiana Ice Gators. The IceGators have dropped four in a row and six of their last seven, while the Surge ran their winning streak to 4 games with a dominating 4-1 victory against the Columbus Cottonmouths last night.
The Surge peppered goaltender Andrew Loewen with 38 shots and Shawn Skelly's power play marker at 5:54 of the first period ignited a four goal outburst that the Snakes couldn't overcome. Cottonmouths forward Jordan Braid continued to be a thorn in the collective side of the Surge, breaking up Kiefer Smiley's shutout bid with a power play goal at 17:23 of the second.
The Surge held off the Cottonmouths in the third period, as Smiley closed the door on several Snakes chances, including a wraparound attempt by veteran Orrin Hergott that trickled close to the goal mouth. Smiley stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced, and the Surge have now won eight of his last ten starts.
Heading into the bayou with some momentum, the Surge's top line of Tyler Ruel, Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and Shawn Skelly have been tearing it up with a combined 30 points since the signing of Ruel. Center Matt Kinnunen and wingers Rob Campbell and Colin Reddin have been on fire as well. Kinnunen and Reddin each have four game scoring streaks headed into Friday night's contest and Campbell's assist last night gave him 11 points in his last 12 games. Kinnunen and Campbell both has seven game scoring streaks in January.
While the IceGators have struggled this season, they have had the Surge's number for the most part, winning three of four from the Boys from Biloxi, including a 6-4 shellacking in November that saw the Gators go 5-for-7 on the power play. Forward Jason Hill is currently second in the SPHL scoring race with 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists) and linemate Brayden Metz leads all SPHL rookies with 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists). The line of Hill, Metz and Short are all among the top ten in the league in goals and have combined for 17 points in four games this season against the Surge. The IceGators rank third in the SPHL in terms of goals for, and have the league's best power play. The Gators are getting secondary scoring from Shawn McNeil (31 points), Josh Boyd (26 points), August Aiken (28 points) and Jordan Oye (27 points), giving them seven players with at least 25 points.
Defensively, Louisiana has been the polar opposite. Their 133 goals against are second worst in the SPHL, and while they are a disciplined group, with the third least amount of penalty minutes in the league, their penalty kill is also second worst, behind only Fayetteville. Goaltender BJ O'Brien started the year on fire with a 5-1-1 record and a shutout for the Augusta Riverhawks, but has gone 2-6-1 with a 3.57 GAA and a .879 Save percentage since being traded to Lafayette. Former Surge netminder Dan Earles has lost his last three starts after racking up six straight wins, including two against his former team, so the Surge will look to shoot early and often tonight at the CajunDome.
The Surge return to the Power Plant on Friday, February 10th as the rival Pensacola Ice Flyers come to town on Mardi Gras Night at 7:05 pm.
Mardi Gras Jersey Auction on Friday!
You're invited! Join the Surge on Friday, February 10th as they face off against the rival Pensacola Ice Flyers at 7:05. Beads, masks, throws, Krewe costumes, a first intermission on-ice Mardi Gras parade and a Surge Mardi Gras jersey auction are just part of the fun as we celebrate Mardi Gras in the Power Plant... Surge Style!
Game-worn Mardi Gras jerseys will be auctioned off immediately after the game! Get your hands on a great piece of Surge memorabilia and one of the most popular jerseys we do each year.
Beads are being collected after the game to benefit Gulf Coast Industries in support of the Gulf Coast Mental Health Center's Workshop for Developmentally Disabled Adults. For every ticket sold using the coupon below, $5 will be donated to GCI.
Don't Miss a Minute of Exciting Surge Action at Hooters Biloxi Beach
Hooters Biloxi Beach is the official location for all Surge away games. Never miss a single shot, pass, check or fight. Catch the Mississippi Surge on the America One network at Hooters Biloxi Beach!
Game-Worn Jersey Sale!
Surge fans, here's your chance to purchase a jersey worn by your favorite Surge player this season! Check out mssurge.com or click the picture here for more details!
Our blue and yellow jerseys are up for sale for just $400! Your name will be displayed on the video board each time that player appears and your jersey will be presented to you after the final Surge game of the playoffs.
Log on to mssurge.com to reserve yours today! First-come, first served basis... so get them while they last!
Surge Introduce "Red in the Rink" on Sunday, Feb. 12!
In partnership with the American Heart Association of Mississippi and their Go Red for Women Program, the Surge are turning the Power Plant red on Sunday, February 12th. Mention the coupon code: HEARTS and receive a $15 ticket, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association.
To order tickets or to get more information on how you can support "Red in the Rink" Night and the American Heart Association, call the Surge office at (228) 287-7825.
SPHL Stories from February 3, 2012
- RiverHawks Slide by Cottonmouths - Augusta RiverHawks
- Ice Flyers Come Up Short In A Shootout Loss - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- IceGators Snap Slide with Win over Surge - Louisiana IceGators
- Streaks Snapped! - Mississippi Surge
- Back in the Win Column - Mississippi RiverKings
- Streak comes to end - Mississippi Surge
- RiverKings Fans Enjoy Fellowship, Food and Fun at Fillin Station Grille Pre-Game Warm-Up - Mississippi RiverKings
- Surge Netminder Kiefer Smiley Named SBK Player of the Month - SPHL
- Surge Game Preview - February 3, 2012 - Mississippi Surge
- Game Preview - Ice Flyers at Huntsville Havoc - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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