SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

Parsons, Neal Come up Big in St. John's Preseason Victory

October 3, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


CORNER BROOK, NL – Memphis RiverKings veterans Don Parsons, Jay Neal and Kahlil Thomas arrived in St. John's hoping to contribute quality minutes in training camp to the AHL Maple Leafs. They ended up being key players in a thrilling comeback victory on Thursday evening, as the Maple Leafs defeated Hamilton 5-4 in overtime.

Two-time reigning CHL Most Valuable Player Don Parsons had the game-tying goal deflect in off his skate, and teammate Jay Neal took a pass from Parsons earlier in the final period that he buried blocker-side in the twine, as St. John's scored two goals in the final four minutes to force the extra frame.

Parsons found the experience of scoring the equalizer to be thrilling.

"Just being out there and being able to contribute a game-tying goal with under a minute to go was great," said Parsons. "It's exciting at any level."

Parsons was also excited about the goal that teammate Jay Neal scored which gave the team a chance to tie it up.

"My centerman was cutting across, and I posted up on the blueline," said Parsons. "He dropped it to me, and Jay was going hard to the net. I threw a saucer pass behind the defenseman to Jay. He actually had a little bit of time, picked his head up, saw his bread and butter, and put it in. It was a really cool goal to look at."

Neal, who played on the same line as Parsons throughout the game, agreed.

"It was one that I'd like to see on video," said Neal. "I happened to come in with some speed, and Donny hit me with a great pass from one board to the other. I picked my head up and there was no one in front of me, so I went in, picked my spot, and fortunately it went in."

Although the Memphis trio finished the game strong, they all were somewhat concerned about their conditioning level at the start of the game.

"The first shift was pretty tough," said Parsons. "My legs actually seized up, and I sat on the bench and told Jay Neal, ‘There's no way I'm going to make it through this game'. But as the game went on, I think all three of us started feeling a lot better."

"You just had to remind yourself not to get too frustrated," said Neal. "We stuck with it, and Doug (Shedden) stuck with us, and we were able to play a part in a big comeback win for the guys here."

Shedden, who coached Parsons, Neal, Thomas, and the rest of the Memphis RiverKings to two CHL Championships, did indeed stick with his former players, particularly in key situations late in the contest. With the Baby Leafs trailing 4-3 with one minute remaining, Shedden pulled former RiverKings goaltender J.F. Racine to provide his team with an extra skater. To the surprise of Neal, all three current RiverKings were sent out on the ice for the crucial final minute.

"Donny and I were ready to head back to the bench, because they've got some pretty high-paid Toronto players here," joked Neal. "In the timeout, Doug maps out his plan and says, ‘Neal, Parsons and Thomas'. We were a little surprised, but we just said, ‘Alright, let's get on it.'

"When we scored the goal, we three were pumped, and the rest of the guys were pumped. It was a neat feeling."

Parsons thinks that the extensive use of the Memphis trio might have been a message being sent to the current Baby Leafs by Coach Shedden.

"Knowing his coaching style, he might have been doing it to get the rest of his team going," Parsons said. "Perhaps he was sending a mental message to the rest of his guys that they need to pick it up.

"But I think he feels comfortable with us...he knows he brought us up here on really short notice, and wanted to give us every opportunity to gain confidence. We've been with Sheds a long time, so there's a lot of loyalty and trust there."

In addition to the goals scored by Parsons and Neal, a score was netted by former RiverKing forward Robb Palahnuk.

"Maybe instead of getting sent up to St. John's, we'll start calling it ‘Getting sent up to Memphis'", joked Parsons.

The St. John's Maple Leafs will play an exhibition game this evening at 5:00 pm CST versus the Hamilton Bearcats. Fans interested in listening to the game may do so online at the homepage of the Maple Leafs, located at http://www.radionewfoundland.net/ .

The Memphis RiverKings will drop the puck on the 2003-04 season on October 17, as they start their title defense in Oklahoma City. The RiverKings home opener is October 18 as Memphis takes on Fort Worth. For ticket information, contact the RiverKings office at (662) 342-1755.



SPHL Stories from October 3, 2003


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