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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Face Off Field Trip draws over 7,700 to see RiverKings win 10th straight

January 23, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN --- The largest crowd to ever see a RiverKings game at the DeSoto Civic Center assembled Tuesday morning for the annual Face Off Field Trip game. When the 7,702 mostly third through sixth graders were dismissed, the RiverKings had captured their 10th straight win, 4-1 over the Bossier Shreveport Mudbugs. The win also increased the RiverKings' lead over the Mudbugs to 12 points in the Northeast Division standings.

The puck dropped just after 10am and the game remained scoreless until 5:27 into the contest. That is when Derek Campbell slipped the puck past Bossier-Shreveport goalie Adam Hanna on a persistent drive to the net. It was Campbell's 12th of the season and the first period would end 1-0.

Once the second period started, it took just 34 seconds for Bossier-Shreveport's Ryan Fairbarn to tie the score. It would be the only goal the Mudbugs would be able to get past RiverKings netminder Larry Sterling. Sterling, who stopped 38 of 39 shots, kept the Mudbugs off the board with several key saves in the second period. He then followed that with a 15 save third period.

The RiverKings came out in the third and supported Sterling's goaltending with three goals. The game-winner came on a cannon blast by Steve Makway at 6:02. As he was coming out or the penalty box, Makway took a lead pass out of the RiverKings' zone from Derek Landmesser. Makway took it to the left circle and powered it past Hanna for his 4th of the season. A Phil Aucoin breakaway goal at 10:58 and an empty netter from Louis Dumont with 13 seconds remaining closed out the scoring.

The 7,702 in attendance surpassed the previous DCC high for a RiverKings game of 7,203 set on October 18, 2003. That game was the home opener for the 2003-04 season. Last season's Face Off Field Trip on November 15 drew 5,943. The franchise attendance record is 9,643 and was set on November 21, 1992 at the Mid South Coliseum.

The RiverKings 10 game win string is now the second longest in franchise history. Overall, the RiverKings improved to 27-6-3 and are 15-2-0 in their last 17 games.

The RiverKings will now get set for a three game weekend with games at Bossier-Shreveport Friday at 7:05, at home versus Oklahoma City Saturday at 7:05 and at Wichita at 5:05 on Sunday.

The first 1,500 fans on Saturday will receive a RiverKings 15th Anniversary Puck sponsored by the Commercial Appeal.

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A RiverKings game is even more fun when you come as a group. Groups of 15 or more save up to 30% on the box office rate, plus every person in the group receives a player mini bobblehead. Call 662-342-1755 for more information.

RiverKings Single-Game Tickets for all 2006-2007 home games are on sale now at the DeSoto Civic Center box office and at all TicketMaster locations and at ticketmaster.com.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Saturday, January 27 - RiverKings 15th Anniversary Puck sponsored by the Commercial Appeal to first 1500 fans; Thursday, February 1 - WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1500 fans

After every RiverKings home game, the party heads to the new Buffalo Wild Wings on Airways in Southaven, the official Post Game Hang-Out of the RiverKings.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2007


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