CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Dominant first period sets tone for RiverKings win

March 11, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN --- Tim Plett scored two goals and goalie Guy St. Vincent made 27 saves as the Memphis RiverKings defeated the Youngstown Steelhounds 5-1 Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The win gave the RiverKings a 8-1-0 record in the season series with the Steelhounds and pulled them to within one point of the Steelhounds for second in the Northeast Division. Central Hockey League Player of the Week Travis Banga added a goal and two assists.

Memphis took control of the first period from the opening face-off, outshooting Youngstown 20-8 and outscoring them 3-0 in the period. Travis Banga converted on a two-on-one 4:11 into the game with help coming from Darrell Stoddard and Brad Wanchulak to make it 1-0. It was Banga's team-high 29th of the season.

Tim Plett made it 2-0 on a goal-mouth scramble at 15:37. Memphis went ahead 3-0 with 1:17 remaining as Darrell Stoddard was the beneficiary of a Banga centering pass. Stoddard's shot from the slot beat Steelhounds goalie David St. Germain for his 16th of the season.

The RiverKings established a 4-zip lead in the opening minute of the second. Don Parsons danced with the puck across the slot, stringing out St. Germain and pulling him out of position to the right side of the cage. After Parsons' initial shot hit the side of the net, he regained possession behind the net and fed Tim Plett in front of the vacated net. For Plett, it was his second of the night and third of the season. The two goals tied a single game career high for the second year forward.

The Steelhounds' only offense came from Jeff Christian at 8:55 of the second period. It was his CHL leading 52nd

goal of the season and the only power play goal of the game. Derek Landmesser closed out the scoring with a wrist shot on a four-on-two conversion. Landmesser also assisted on Stoddard's goal in the first, giving him 56 assists and matching his career-high total from last season.

Besides the five goal output by Memphis, the other story was the play of St. Vincent. A 17 save third period and several spectacular saves helped him to the number one star and his 11th win of the season. David St. Germain suffered the loss, stopping 40 of 45 shots for Youngstown.

After the final horn, a fracas between the teams as they left ice resulted in game misconducts to four different players, two on each team. Further action to both teams by the league may be forthcoming as a result.

To go with their 8-1-0 season record against the Steelhounds, the RiverKings outscored them 45-29.

Memphis closes out the three-game homestand Tuesday night as they entertain Bossier-Shreveport for the final time this season at 7:05.

Upcoming promotions: On Friday, 3/10, the first 1,500 fans receive a RiverKings poster courtesy of Mercury Printing and 1910 Frameworks. Saturday, 3/11 is Loma Ladies Night with the first 1,000 ladies receiving free Loma Hair Care and Beauty Products.

Be sure to take advantage of 2 for 1 deals on Tuesday, 3/14: 2 for 1 gold level tickets, 2 for 1 hot dogs, 2 for 1 soft drinks and $2 draft beer. .

Don't forget to head to TGI Fridays on Goodman Road after every home game for the "Official RiverKings Post-Game Party."

You can hear all regular-season RiverKings games on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560).



Central Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2006


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