SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

Parsons' Trick Does In Ice Bats In 7-2 Win

April 23, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – Don Parsons' tallied a hat trick, and the RiverKings exploded offensively as they hammered the Austin Ice Bats 7-2 to take a 3-1 series lead in the President's Cup Finals. The RiverKings have a chance to win their second consecutive CHL title in Game Five on Friday at the DCC, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. All Memphis home games start at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call (662) 342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com and use the ticketmaster link.

In the first period the ‘Kings got it going right away. Michal Stastny made a great play as he fended off two Ice Bats behind the net and one-handed the puck in front for Luch Nasato, who ripped his fifth of the playoffs home for a 1-0 lead just 55 seconds into the game. Halfway through the period the ‘Kings got a power play chance and continued their red hot play on the man advantage. Kahlil Thomas fed the puck to the slot for Jonathan Gagnon. Gagnon's shot was stopped by Austin goalie Matt Barnes, but Don Parsons was there for the rebound to make it 2-0 at 13:28. It was Parsons' CHL post-season leading 12th goal.

In the second period the Ice Bats got back in the game thanks to a ‘Kings giveaway in their own end. Tab Lardner swooped up the loose puck and scored his fourth with a top shelf shot at 6:55 to cut it to a 2-1 deficit. The RiverKings had the answer later in the frame as Jay Neal carried across the Austin line and worked the puck into the right circle for A.J. Aitken. Aitken sent it to the slot for Brian Tucker who chipped it into the cage at 11:39 to extend the lead back to two goals for the ‘Kings with his fifth of the post-season.

The offensive barrage continued in the final frame as the two ‘Kings enforcers, Greg Lakovic and Riley Cote both tallied, along with a pair from Parsons to earn the hat trick and increase his CHL leading total to 14 goals. Pat Brownlee added a final period tally for the Ice Bats. FINAL SCORE Memphis 7, Austin 2.

Mark Richards made a solid 23 saves on 25 Austin shots to improve to 10-2, while Matt Barnes was ripped for seven goals on 25 shots to drop to 8-6.

The power play was awesome again for the ‘Kings. Three man advantage goals on six opportunities helped the RiverKings break their own record for goals in the postseason with a league-leading 25. The previous record of 24 was set by the ‘Kings during the President's Cup run in the playoffs last spring. Not to be forgotten, the ‘Kings penalty kill denied the Ice Bats on all four chances they faced.

Series Standing 3–1 Memphis

For the complete box score use the link below.

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/print/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=34187

NOTABLES

* Memphis has a CHL leading 30 special teams goals in the playoffs (25 PP and 5 SH)

*The 25 power play goals is a new CHL post-season record, breaking the 24 scored by the RiverKings during last year's playoffs.

* The ‘Kings have now scored a power play goal in all 13 playoff games.

* The Kings tallied three power play goals in Game Four. It was the fourth time in the playoffs the ‘Kings have had three power play lamps.

WORLD FAMOUS

World famous juggler Albert Lucas will be on hand to entertain the fans at the DCC this Friday night. Lucas will entertain fans with a variety of routines, including juggling flaming hockey sticks.

WHITE OUT

The RiverKings players have requested that fans wear white on Friday night at the DCC. Teams in the playoffs often use the fans to help intimidate the other team with a "whiteout" to show unity among everyone.

ON THE AIR

Catch the RiverKings live on the air during the President's Cup Finals on RiverKings Radio Easy 680 AM – WJCE. Game Five of the Finals is set for Friday night with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. and the faceoff at 7:05 p.m. For the latest stats, scores and more go online to www.RiverKings.com

MEMPHIS VS. AUSTIN PRESIDENT'S CUP FINALS SCHEDULE

Date Time Location Result

4/17 – Thursday – Game One 7:30 p.m. Austin 3-0 Memphis (Series 1-0 MEM)

4/18 – Friday – Game Two 7:30 p.m. Austin 2-1 Austin OT (Series 1-1)

4/21 – Monday -Game Three 7:05 p.m. Memphis 6-1 Memphis (Series 2-1 MEM)

4/23 – Wednesday - Game Four 7:05 p.m. Memphis 7-2 Memphis (Series 3-1 MEM)

4/25 – Friday - Game Five 7:05 p.m. Memphis

*4/30 – Wednesday - Game Six 7:30 p.m. Austin

*5/02 – Friday - Game Seven 7:30 p.m. Austin

* If Necessary



SPHL Stories from April 23, 2003


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