SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

Memphis RiverKings Weekly

Published on October 21, 2002 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Week In Review – The Memphis RiverKings went 2-1-0 in the opening weekend of the 2002-2003 season. The defending President's Cup Champions are on a 2-game winning streak following an opening night loss at Bossier-Shreveport 4-3. Memphis won their Friday night home opener 4-1 against the Mudbugs and followed that with a 4-3 victory at Indianapolis Saturday evening.

Thursday, October 17 / Bossier-Shreveport 4 – Memphis 3 – The RiverKings opened the season on the road with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss at the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Memphis appeared to have a momentum late in the 3rd period when Don Parsons jammed in an extra-attacker goal with 18.9 seconds remaining to tie the score at 3-3. But Trevor Buchanan found Jason Campbell at the right face-dot who beat goalie Mark Richards on a shot to the far-post with just 6.3 seconds left. Parsons had 2 goals for the RiverKings while Dan Wildfong scored a pair of goals for the ‘Bugs.

Friday, October 18 / Memphis 4 – Bossier-Shreveport 1 - Memphis hosted a championship celebration before their home opener with the presentation of the championship rings and the unveiling of the championship banner highlighting the pre-game festivities. Then the ‘Kings celebrated their first win of the season with a 4-1 verdict over Bossier-Shreveport in front of 5,018 fans. Rookie Jerry Cunningham made his DeSoto Civic Center debut one to remember as he scored a pair of goals. Don Parsons sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the closing seconds. Mark Richards made 18 saves for the win.

Saturday, October 19 / Memphis 4 – Indianapolis 3 - Led by a pair of newcomers, the RiverKings recorded a 4-3 victory at Indianapolis to improve to 2-1-0 on the season. Sergei Vicegorodceves scored a pair of goals and 20-year-old rookie netminder J.F. Racine stopped 33 of 36 Ice shots to lead the way. Don Parsons and Brad Mueller scored the other goals for the ‘Kings. Vicegorodceves' goals both came in the 2nd period breaking a 2-2 tie. Racine turned made 15 straight saves through the 3rd period before allowing a penalty-shot goal to Randy Holmes with 36 seconds left. Racine held the Ice to 0-for-6 on the power-play in notching his first professional hockey victory. Memphis was out-shot 16-3 in the final period.

Multi-Goals – The RiverKings have had a multi-goal scorer in each of their 3 games to begin the season.

Thursday, October 17 at Bossier-Shreveport – Don Parsons (2-1-3) Friday, October 18 vs. Bossier-Shreveport – Jerry Cunningham (2-1-3) Saturday, October 19 at Indianapolis – Sergei Vicegorodceves (2-1-3)

Awesome Offense – The RiverKings lead the CHL in goals (11), assists (19) and points (30).

Don Parsons (4g, 2a, 6p) and Sergei Vicegorodceves (3g, 2a, 5p) are 1st and 2nd in the league in points. Vicegorodceves leads all CHL defenseman in scoring while Derek Landmesser (0g, 4a) is 2nd among D-men. Landmesser is tied for the league lead in assists. Jay Neal has 3 assists and is tied for 3rd in the league. Vicegorodceves is 1 of only 3 players with multiple power-play goals. Parsons leads the league in plus/minus rating at +6. The RiverKings are 5-for-19 (26.3%) on the power-play. Memphis has scored at least one power-play goal in 3 straight games and leads the league in total power-play tallies. Their power-play percentage is 2nd in the league trailing only New Mexico (4-for-11, 36.4)

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SPHL Stories from October 21, 2002


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