Surge Game Preview

February 18, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi Surge News Release


Klaren's Return, Smiley Spark Surge Win

Surge defenseman Nick Klaren and goaltender Kiefer Smiley (Photo courtesy of Beth Matthews)

Biloxi, MS - February 18, 2012 - The Mississippi Surge jumped all over the Louisiana IceGators early on Friday night at the Power Plant, scoring three goals in just over three minutes in the first period to propel them to a 5-0 victory. The game marked the return of defenseman Nick Klaren, who had been sidelined since November. Kiefer Smiley posted his first professional shutout in the game and improved his record to 15-6-2. The Pensacola Ice Flyers visit the Power Plant tonight and build on a 5-3 win over Louisiana on Thursday. Tonight is Military Appreciation Night at the Power Plant as the Surge honor our men and women in uniform, past and present, and the families that sacrifice to make their service possible. Over 5,000 tickets have been donated to local military bases and installations and select Military Night jerseys will be auctioned immediately following the game. The Surge finish off their 3-in-3 weekend tomorrow, heading to Southaven for a Sunday matinee rematch with the Mississippi RiverKings.

Next Home Game

Tonight is also a Family Four Pack Night. Get four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a family-sized popcorn for just $60. The Surge return to the Power Plant next weekend, with games on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is Faith & Family and Teacher Appreciation Night, and Sunday is our annual "Pink in the Rink" Night for breast cancer awareness, followed by an event at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.

Tonight's Matchup

The Surge are 4-4-0 against the Ice Flyers this season, with one of the wins coming in overtime on the first Military Appreciation Night in November. The Ice Flyers halted a three game win streak for the Surge on January 24th here at the Power Plant, but the Surge have won both matchups since. Mississippi has won four of its last five games, while Pensacola has struggled, losing four of its last five. The teams have identical 21-17-3 records and sit one point behind the IceGators for fourth place in the SPHL standings.

Scouting the Ice Flyers

Pensacola has been streaky, and goaltending is their make or break. Todd Gordon's Ice Flyers were extremely hot in December and early January, going 11-3 from December 2nd to January 7th, but with the departure of netminder Steve Christie to the CHL, Pensacola dropped four of their next five games and have gone 6-9-1 since. Offensively, the Ice Flyers are led by rookie center Jordan Chong, who sits second in the SPHL scoring race among rookies with 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists). Chris Wilson (20 goals, 19 assists) and Mike Carter (16 goals, 19 assists) are also among the top 20 in SPHL scoring.

Dan Buccella (1 goal,, 6 assists), Matthew Robertson (5 goals, 1 assist) and Andrew Harrison (4 goals, 2 assists) have been consistent thorns in the side of the Surge this season. Defenseman Tyler Soehner leads the defense corps with 20 points (4 goals, 20 assists) and he and Ryan Corry are the only plus players on the Pensacola blue line. Christie went 11-2-0 with a pair of shutouts before his callup, but Pensacola has struggled in the crease since. Former Surge netminder Corey Milan has been hot and cold for the Ice Flyers, with a 4-4-1 record since heading down I-10 to the Sunshine State.

Game Review (Tuesday)

Keifer Smiley stopped 19 of the 19 shots against him to notch his first pro shutout. The British Columbia native is among the top three in the SPHL in Minutes Played, Goals Against Average, and Save Percentage, and his 15 wins lead the league among active goalies. Colin Reddin has a goal and two assists and Matt Kinnunen, Nick Guran and Adam Stuart all had a goal and an assist. Eight different Surge players registered a point, including Klaren, who has an assist and finished with a +1 rating in his return.

Extra Time

The Surge are 3-3 this season in extra time, including 1-1 in shootout games.

Season Series (8 meetings - 2 remaining)

Nov. 11 Pensacola 3 at Mississippi 5

Nov. 12 Pensacola 1 at Mississippi 2 OT

Dec. 9 Mississippi 3 at Pensacola 7

Dec. 30 Mississippi 2 at Pensacola 3

Dec. 31 Mississippi 3 at Pensacola 4

Jan. 24 Pensacola 4 at Mississippi 2

Jan. 27 Mississippi 2 at Pensacola 1

Feb. 10 Pensacola 1 at Mississippi 3

Military Jersey Auction TONIGHT!

The Mississippi Surge will be wearing their Military Appreciation jerseys one more time tonight as they host fierce rivals, the Pensacola Ice Flyers. Over 5,000 tickets have been donated to local military bases and the jerseys will be auctioned off immediately following the game.

Select jerseys will be auctioned off and the Shirt off Our Back jersey will again be Winner's Choice. The #11 jersey of Chris Chambers and our mascot jersey for Shock will also be auctioned. The jerseys of #9 Tyler Ruel and #13 Rob Campbell are not available.

Officers from Keesler Air Force Base, Naval Construction Battalion Center - Gulfport, Marine Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon - Gulfport, Camp Shelby and Coast Guard Station - Gulfport will be on hand to drop the ceremonial first puck. The game is being presented by American Air, the Air Force Reserve, Doorways, Inc., Rouse's Supermarket, Keesler Federal Credit Union, Mugshots Grill & Bar and J&D Construction.

For tickets, call the Surge office at (228) 287-7825 or the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Box Office.

Online Jersey Sale!

Want a piece of game-worn Surge memorabilia? Home and Away jerseys are available for purchase via mssurge.com for just $400.

Jerseys will be presented to the purchaser following the final Surge playoff game. Jerseys are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the purchasers name will be displayed on the video board during Surge home games for the remainder of the season whenever the player's picture is displayed.

Log on to mssurge.com to reserve your jersey today! Get 'em while they last!

Family Four Packs

Looking for a great entertainment value for your family without zapping your wallet? Bring your family to the Power Plant on one of our select Family Four Pack nights and get four blue or silver level Surge tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a family-sized popcorn for just $60.

Surge Family Four Pack Nights:

February 18th vs. Pensacola Ice FlyersFebruary 25th vs. Louisiana Ice GatorsMarch 16th vs. Columbus CottonmouthsMarch 17th vs. Huntsville HavocMarch 24th vs. Louisiana Ice Gators Contact the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Box office or the Surge Office at (228) 287-7825 for more information.

Military Discounts!

A proud supporter of the men and women who serve our great nation, the Surge are offering $3 off across the board on all tickets for all military personnel, active duty and retired, and their families.

Show your military ID at the Coast Coliseum Box Office or the Surge office and get tickets for $10/$15/$18 in the silver, blue and yellow levels respectively.

We thank you for your service and look forward to seeing you at the "Power Plant"!

Don't Miss a Single Minute of Surge Action!

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!



SPHL Stories from February 18, 2012


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