SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

Blazers Beat The RiverKings 4-3 In Overtime

March 28, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY – Jonathan Dubois scored on a power play 8:57 into sudden death overtime Friday night at the Ford Center to give the Blazers a 4-3 win and a 2-1 lead in the best of five first round series. Don Parsons had a pair of goals for the ‘Kings in the third period to force overtime, but Memphis was unable to prevail. The RiverKings look to stay alive in the series as Game Four will be back at the DeSoto Civic Center on Tuesday, April 1st. For tickets call (662) 342-1755 or go online at www.RiverKings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

With the Game Two brawl still fresh in the minds of both teams the first period of Game Three was very physical and intense. The Blazers went on the power play just eight seconds into the game, but were unable to capitalize. The Blazers had the best chance to score when Marty Standish was awarded a penalty shot at 9:41 after being hooked down on a breakaway. Standish broke in and tried to go high glove side but ‘Kings netminder Mark Richards got a piece to turn the chance aside. The Blazers out shot Memphis 15-9 in the frame, but neither team could put the puck in the net.

In the second period the ‘Kings finally broke thru as Brian Tucker intercepted a pass with Memphis short handed and broke into the Blazers' zone. Tucker's shot was stopped by Boyd Ballard, but A.J. Aitken was there to jam the rebound into the net at 12:12 for the first goal of the game. Just 40 seconds later the Blazers tied it when Blair Manning fed the puck into the right circle for Joe Burton who snapped the puck into the net at 12:52. Late in the second Oklahoma City went on their fifth man advantage chance of the period. The ‘Kings killed it off, but just after it expired Peter Robertson wristed the puck low stick side for a 2-1 Oklahoma City lead at 16:39.

Going to the third period the RiverKings were looking to buck the numbers. In the regular season Memphis did not win a single game that they trailed after two periods, posting a 0-18-1 record. Halfway thru the third period Kahlil Thomas got loose down the right wing side and sent a centering pass backdoor for Don Parsons who tipped it home to tie the game at 2-2 at 10:01. A little over two minute later Joe Burton got loose on a breakaway and roofed the puck high glove side to give Oklahoma City a 3-2 lead at 12:39. Late in regulation the ‘Kings went on a two-man advantage looking to tie the game. Jay Neal sent the puck to the left circle and Derek Landmesser fired a shot that was tipped by Parsons for his second of the night to tie the game again at 15:58.

In overtime a roughing penalty was called at 8:48 which gave the Blazers a power play chance. It took Oklahoma City just nine seconds to capitalize as Dubois fired a wrist shot from the bottom of the left wing circle into the top corner of the net to give the Blazers the win. FINAL SCORE Oklahoma City 4, Memphis 3 in overtime

Richards was outstanding in net as he stopped 41 of 45 shots. Boyd Ballard turned aside 29 of 32 shots. In playoff game that featured 22 combined powers play the Blazers went 2-12 while Memphis was 1-10.

Series Standing – 2–1 Oklahoma City

For the complete box score use the link below.

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/print/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=31649

ON THE AIR

Catch the RiverKings on the air when they take on the Oklahoma City Blazers this Tuesday night in Game Four of the playoffs on RiverKings Radio Easy 680 AM – WJCE. The pre-game show starts at 6:45 p.m., face-off at 7:05 p.m. For the latest stats, scores and more go online to www.RiverKings.com.



SPHL Stories from March 28, 2003


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