Oliveira nets back-to-back hat tricks in 6-5 shootout win over Muskegon

Published on February 17, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - Mike Oliveira registered a hat trick, his second in as many games as the winning continues for the Richmond RiverDogs in their 6-5 shootout win over the two time defending Colonial Cup Champion Muskegon Fury. The win extends the RiverDogs unbeaten streak to 9 games (7-0-2) and are 13-1-2 in their last 16 contests. The last time the RiverDogs lost in regulation was on January 27th when the team lost to Motor City. Richmond's record is now 25-21-5, 55 points and tied for 7th overall with Quad City and Motor City, both teams winning their contests this evening.

The game turned out to be three different contests in one, actually four if you count the shootout. Richmond dominated the first half of the game and led 5-0 on Mike Oliveira's three goals and a pair from Evgeny Lazarev With the hat trick plus assist for a four point night, Oliveira has now extended his point scoring streak to 19 games. In those 19 games, Mike has scored 35 points with 8 of those coming from tonight's win and Wednesday's win over Roanoke Valley. The RiverDogs, in the game, took 20 shots and connected on 5 for a shooting percentage of .250. The Fury broke their scoring drought at 8:00 of the second period on a goal from Ryan Crane, who also tallied a hat trick, making the score 5-1. When all was said and done, the Fury scored five times in a span of 9:02 and the game was tied at 5 all with about 18 minutes left in the contest. Both teams slammed the door shut with both Mike D'Alessandro and Muskegon's Kevin Lapointe stopping salvos as the game ended in regulation forcing the shootout. The RiverDogs made all three of their shots count as Bobby Kukulka, Mike Oliveira and Evgeny Lazarev connected in the shootout. D'Alessandro continues the RiverDogs mastery in the shootout, stopping all three of the Fury shots. The RiverDogs goaltending duo has allowed only 16 goals in 64 attempts for a .250 percentage allowed, which is #1 in the league.

The RiverDogs will conclude the long, but very successful, road trip (5-0-1) tomorrow night when the boys take on the Kalamazoo Wings in the only contest between the two sides this season. The next RiverDogs home game is Friday, February 24th, at the Richmond Coliseum to face Danbury at 7:35 pm. It will also be the first of two Scout Nights with the RiverDogs. Scout leaders are encouraged to call the RiverDogs office at 804-225-7825 and book their pack or troop at special discounted rates.

Season tickets, FlexPaks, Richmond Times-Dispatch Family 4 Packs and group packages are available through the RiverDogs office. For more information call the RiverDogs at 804-225-PUCK (7825). Fans can follow the RiverDogs and be "in the know" by going to www.riverdogsuhl.com. All RiverDogs game action can be viewed on the net by accessing the B-2 Network link on www.riverdogsuhl.com. RiverDogs statistics and game updates can be accessed as well on the net by going to www.pointstreak.com.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 17, 2006


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