SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

'Kings Beat The Blazers 4-3 In A Shootout

Published on March 11, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma –Powered by a Derek Landmesser hat trick the Memphis RiverKings beat the Oklahoma City Blazers 4-3 in a shootout in front of 6,788 fans at the Ford Center. The win was the ‘Kings first of the year at the Blazers new home in four tries. Memphis is now in the third position in the Northern Conference playoff chase with three games still to go. The ‘Kings return home for three games this weekend to close the regular season and tune up for the playoffs. Friday, Memphis hosts the New Mexico Scorpions with all upper bowl tickets just $5. Also water bottles will be given to the first 1,500 fans courtesy of the DeSoto Athletic Club. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. For tickets call (662) 342-1755 or go online at www.RiverKings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

Oklahoma City got on the board first when Blair Manning fed the puck in front for Jonathan Dubois who snapped it into the net at 11:08 on a power play. The Blazers made it 2-0 when Joe Burton tipped in his 46th of the year on a shot from the point by Tyler Fleck at 13:32. The ‘Kings got back into the game in the final minute of the period when Michal Stastny wired a wrist shot wide of the cage, but the rebound off the end boards bounced back into the slot where Stastny backhanded the puck top shelf at 19:16 to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Blazers came out firing in the second as they gunned the first eight shots of the period at RiverKings goalie Mark Richards who turned them all aside. The ‘Kings first shot of the frame came when Jay Neal slipped the puck down low for Landmesser who spun in front and roofed the puck top shelf at 7:46 to tie the game. Later in the period the RiverKings went on a power play and Landmesser was at it again as he blasted one thru traffic for his second of the night and 12th of the season at 11:07.

The Blazers tied it when Marty Standish swept home a rebound at 6:47 on a power play. Neither team could score in regulation to break the deadlock. In overtime, Memphis fired three shots while Oklahoma City mustered two. In the shootout both goalies were perfect heading to the final round. Landmesser came in and wristed the puck into the net low glove side to give the ‘Kings the lead. With the game on the line Richards stoned Manning to give the ‘Kings the win. FINAL SCORE Memphis 4, Oklahoma City 3 in a shootout.

Richards stopped all five shooters in the extra session and turned away 31 of 34 shots to improve to 15-12-1 and pick up his first win of the year against Oklahoma City. Boyd Ballard stopped 26 of 29, but took the loss to fall to 28-13-3. The Blazers out shot the ‘Kings 34-29. Memphis went 1-5 on the power play with Oklahoma City 2-4.

For the complete box score use the link below.

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/print/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=16111

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

· This coming Friday when the ‘Kings host the New Mexico Scorpions all upper bowl tickets are just $5. Also water bottles courtesy of the DeSoto Athletic Club will be given to the first 1,500 fans, plus skate on the DCC ice after the game.

· Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc. will sell commemorative pucks Friday and Saturday for $5. Average cost of granting a wish is $5,000. The organization made $2,000 this weekend, thanks to RiverKings fans who by their purchase will help grant the wish of a child with a life-threatening illness to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

· Saturday join the ‘Kings for a President's Cup Finals rematch as they host the Austin Ice Bats. The RiverKings will wear special commemorative jerseys from Bumpus Harley Davidson of Memphis. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with the profits benefiting Cystic Fibrosis and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Also Don Parsons will be honored by Just Hockey Magazine as the Minor League Player of the Year during the first intermission.

· Sunday is the final game of the regular season as the ‘Kings host the Indianapolis Ice on Fan Appreciation night. Join the ‘Kings after the game for a post-game skate with the whole team, plus great giveaways. The American Diabetes Association will be the RiverKings' featured non-profit of the night.

ON THE AIR

Catch the RiverKings on the air when they take on the New Mexico Scorpions this Friday on RiverKings Radio Easy 680 AM – WJCE. The pre-game show starts at 6:45 PM, face-off at 7:05 PM. For the latest stats, scores and more go online to www.RiverKings.com.

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