Hinks netted Monroe's go ahead goal in the shootout period while Dorian Anneck added an insurance post-regulation goal as the Moccasins took a 4-3 win over Tupelo Wednesday at the Snakepit.

Monroe had acquired the rights to Hinks last month in trade with Alexandria, but he finished his season in the European Elite League before finally making the journey to the United States to join the Moccasins.

"Im a little rusty because I hadn't skated since last Tuesday," Hinks said. "My timing is screwed up because I'm still living on European time-seven hours ahead. But it's great to start things off here like this."

The win pushed Monroe's record to 38-23-6 to keep pace with Lake Charles for second place in the Western Professional Hockey League's Eastern Division.

Monroe coach Brian Curran said he was impressed with Hinks' limited performance.

"This is a guy who's been going through immigration procedures and those kinds of things," Curran said. "He's worn out.

I put him in the shootout because I knew he has above-average skills with the puck. All things considered, he did great. And he'll only get better."

Monroe had been struggling offensive in recent weeks with several players out with injuries. Wednesday's game against Tupelo was the first time in weeks a full-squad of Moccasins was out on the ice.

"Winning is always important, but I'm trying to pull this team back together," Curran said. "We've had several key players out with injuries who just got back out on the ice this game. Winning builds confidence, but we're also working on rebuilding continuity heading into the playoffs."

Curran said he'll do some tinkering with the Monroe lineup as the season winds down over the next three games.

"It's my job to get this team clicking together," Curran said. "We've got to get a few of these guys back into shape for the playoffs. I'll probably do a little experimenting with the lineup over the next few games."

Matt Cressman turned in a solid game with two goals to push his season-best 23.

"It's great to get the win and score goals and all that, but we're looking at the playoffs," Cressman said. "The main thing we're trying to do is to regain and feel for each other and make sure we mesh for the playoffs."

Things didn't look too good for the Mocs in the early going as Tupelo took a 1-0 advantage 37 seconds into the contest on a Brent Scott goal.

Monroe goalie Clint Owen knocked the puck out to center ice, but no one got back in time to help as scott gave the T-Rex the early advantage.

"Owen did a good job in the shootout, but I wasn't happy with his rebounds during the game," Curran said. "We left the puck out in the middle in front of our goal way too much. We gave them way too many chances, and a playoff team can't do things like that."