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Mississippi RiverKings

Lukajic's hat trick leads Tulsa past RiverKings

February 28, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MN --- Tulsa's Mike Lukajic celebrated his 25th birthday with a hat trick in leading his Oilers to a 7-4 win over the Memphis RiverKings Tuesday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. Klage Kaebel and Mario Joly each added three assists as the Oilers climbed to within four points of Wichita for the fourth playoff position in the Northern Conference. For the Memphis, the loss extended their winless streak to 10 games.

The teams got the scoring started early with three goals in the first 2:55 of the first period. Derek Landmesser converted on an early RiverKings power play at 1:24 for his 13 of the season. Tulsa came back with a Marek Dora goal 1:23 later to tie the game at one. Tulsa made it 2-1 just 8 seconds later on Jim Dahl's 33rd of the season. Michael Young made it a two goal advantage at 12:49 of the first, but the RiverKings would battle back to tie it before the end of the period.

Travis Banga took what seemed to be a laser guided pass from Ryan Watson in the left corner at 18:30 to cut the lead to one. Then, with time running out in the period, Peter Robertson's shot from outside the left circle was deflected in by Darrell Stoddard with just .4 of a second left in the period to even the score. For Stoddard, who was back on the ice after missing the last four due to injury, it was his 14th of the season .

Both teams scored once in the second period; Lukajic for Tulsa at 8:01 followed by Memphis' Paul McBrien notching his fourth of season at 11:25. The third period would belong to Tulsa as the Oilers outshot Memphis 16-9 and outscored them 3-0 for the 7-4 win. Mike Possin collected what would be the game-winner at 5:40 of the third with Lukajic completing his hat trick with tallies at 7:32 and 15:11.

Tulsa netminder Chris King stopped 26 of 30 shots for the win while Michael Dilorenzo made 35 saves on 42 shots to take the loss for Memphis. Travis Banga and Derek Landmessser each had a goal and an assist to lead the RiverKings offensively.

Memphis will continue their three-game homestand this Friday and Saturday with a pair of games against the Youngstown Steelhounds at 7:05 at the DCC. Friday night, the first 1,500 fans will receive a Quality Ultra Print oversized trading card of RiverThing and Sheldon. Saturday night's game will feature a Miller Lite Can Koozie giveaway to the first 1,500 fans 21 and older. The game will also be followed by the jersey auction of the special Mardi Gras Jerseys that the team wore Tuesday night and will be wearing again for Saturday's game. A post-game skate will follow both games this weekend as well.

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