Monroe looked like anything but a first-place team. Showing the effects of having to play four men short due to injury and illness, the Moccasins were often a step behind the Ice Pirates.

"We had a numerous chances," Moccasins coach Brian Curran said. "Were we tired? I don't think so. We outsot them but having to play eight forwards and five defenseman is difficult. But I don't want to use that as an excuse."

Left wing Kelvin Solari said playing short handed is difficult.

"I think it hurt us a little," Solari said. "Sometimes it just seems we can't get a break."

The Ice Pirates took a 1-0 first-period lead on a shot by right winger Troy Kennedy. Kennedy picked up the loose puck at the 14:14 mark in front of the Mocs net and slid it past goalie Clint Owen.

The goal was set up by Monroe's inability to clear the puck out of the Moccasins zone after a missed shot by the Ice Pirates' David Barazinno. Lake Charles was able to keep the pressure on, allowing Kennedy his point blank shot.

"We made a mistake on the first goal," Curran said.

Lake Charles missed an opportunity to score in the game's first minute. A loose puck lay in front of Monroe's net for several seconds but the Ice Pirates were unable to put a stick on the puck. The Monroe defense eventually swatted the puck to the Lake Charles end of the ice.

Lake Charles extended its lead to 2-0 at the 10:45 mark of the second period. Right winger Randy Favaro fired a shot from the wing that Owen stopped but James Dunn was credited with a goal on the rebound shot.

The second goal bounced off their guys pad," Curran said. "the puck just seemed to bounce their way."

Lake Charles Dunn added an open-net goal at the 17:53 mark to close out the scoring.

The Mocs wasted a great effort by goalie Owen, who made several outstanding saves.

"Clint played an outstanding game," Curran said. "Anytime you're short, you need a big game from your goalie and we got one tonight. But theirs played awfully well also."

Monroe was never able to get anything going on offense.

"Our guys played hard and we outshot them," Curran said. "Solari hit two post in the first period. That's five in two games. We just couldn't catch a break."

In a display that showed the entire team's frustration, Solari miss-hit a short slap shot right in front of the Ice Pirates' goal. Afterward, Solari pounded his stick on the ice in disgust, shattering the end.