PENALTIES COST KINGFISH IN SECOND STRAIGHT LOSS TO MID-SOUTH

SOUTHAVEN, Miss., – The Baton Rouge Kingfish lost their second straight game to the Mid-South Monarchs, 3-2, tonight at Landers Center in Southaven, Miss. Baton Rouge racked up 51 penalty minutes and allowed two powerplay goals in the loss. 

The goaltenders stole the show in the first period, as the game was scoreless heading into the first intermission. In his first professional start, Tony Seykora stopped all nine shots he faced in the opening frame. The Fish were thwarted on all 14 of their shots on net.

Just over two minutes into the second period, Baton Rouge drew first blood. Jason Brancheau connected with Tyler Williams on a two-on-one, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. However, Mid-South responded less than 90 seconds later. Seykora made a series of brilliant saves on a scramble in his goal crease, but faced one shot too many, and the Monarchs leveled the score at one goal apiece. The Kingfish netminder left the game late in the second period with an injury, and Ed Coffey played the final 23 minutes of the contest.

Six minutes into the third period, Mid-South found themselves on a long five-on-three powerplay thanks to Kingfish penalty trouble. The Monarchs capitalized, surging ahead, 2-1, at 6:24. Three minutes later, a miscommunication at Baton Rouge's attacking blue line led to a Mid-South breakaway, and the Monarchs jumped ahead, 3-1.

Scott Shorrock pulled the Kingfish back within one goal on a beautiful snap shot with 6:28 remaining in the third. The Kingfish proceeded to launch everything they had at the Monarchs down the stretch but were unable to muster an equalizer. 

Mid-South converted on two of its nine powerplay opportunities. Baton Rouge went scoreless in five chances on the man advantage.

The Kingfish look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon when the teams play the final game of the three-in-three in Baton Rouge. Puckdrop is slated for 4:05 p.m. at Raising Cane's River center. 

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