Biloxi, MS - After an opening defeat Thursday night, the Surge look to take down the Ice Flyers tonight at home, forcing a game three on Sunday. The Surge need to win both remaining games to move forward in their bid for the Presidents Cup. Upsetting Pensacola would mark the third year in a row, an eighth seed upset the number one seed in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite facing Pensacola twelve times in the regular season, the Surge have four players on their playoff roster who haven't faced the Mississippi rival in a Surge uniform during the regular season including two former Ice Flyers. Forward Roman Andrejev added on March 5th and Defenseman Bennett Schneider, added to the roster only eight days ago. Andrejev scored a goal against the Surge the last time the two teams faced each other on March 1st. The newest Surge addition, Bennett Schneider, was signed by the Surge after posting a +9 in 26 games with the Ice Flyers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kyle Kudroch (LW) - The always dangerous Surge leading scorer has ten points with three assists and seven goals against the Ice Flyers this season. 

Mathieu Dugas (G) - The Surge net-minder is fourth in saves among SPHL goalies, even with starting four or more games less than the top three goalies.

Trever Hertz (C) - The rookie has a point in three of his last four games, racking up two goals and an assist in just five games with the Surge.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Offense - Mississippi was undefeated anytime they scored five goals against a high flying Pensacola offense.

Confidence - Pensacola has faded from one period to the next, allowing more goals to opposing teams in each passing period. If the Surge remain confident and physical for 60 minutes, their chances of upsetting the number one team in the SPHL this season are exponentially higher.

ADVANTAGE - SURGE

Power Plays - Against the Surge, Pensacola's power play unit has struggled, scoring only 18.3% of the time with a man advantage compared to a league leading 20.4% against all teams.

Despite leading the league in several categories, the Ice Flyers ranked 7th in penalty killing. If the Surge can capitalize on power plays with team captain Joe Tolles being tied for second in the SPHL for power play goals this year, Pensacola's dream season could very well turn nightmarish.

It has been an up and down regular season for the Surge, as the team has faced injuries, call-ups, and short win streaks, but South Mississippi's group has overcome adversity, and is looking for their hard work to pay off on the ice tonight.

Show your Surge Pride by wearing yellow at the game tonight and by sparking the Surge as the seventh man.