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 Mississippi RiverKings

Pechurskiy, RiverKings Stop Sundogs in Arizona

March 5, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ --- The Mississippi RiverKings squelched a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) in convincing fashion Friday, March 4th, with a 4-1 victory over the Sundogs in Arizona. The victory kept the RiverKings fifth in the Berry Conference standings, one point ahead of sixth place Odessa.

In Friday's contest, Mississippi took a 2-1 lead after one period of play, as Darrell Stoddard and Chris Auger scored goals for the RiverKings. After Luke Erickson gave Arizona a 1-0 lead nearly 12 minutes into the game, Stoddard's drive from inside the blue line beat Arizona goaltender Levente Szuper at 14:11 to tie the game at 1-1. The goal was Stoddard's tenth goal of the season.

Auger then took a feed to the right of the net and beat Szuper for his eighth red-lighter of the year for the RiverKings' first lead of the series at 17:34 for the first intermission advantage.

Mississippi added to the lead late in the second period on a goal from R.G. Flath with 23 seconds left in the frame. Flath deflected a shot from defenseman Nathan Lutz past Szuper for his 15th goal of the year, as the RiverKings led 3-1 going into the final period of play.

The RiverKings wrapped up the scoring in the third period on a goal from Matt Boyd, his fifth of the year, who poked in a loose puck left by Szuper after stopping a breakaway attempt by Louis Dumont.

Neither team scored on the power play, as both squads finished the night 0-for-6 with the man advantage.

Mississippi goaltender Alexander Pechurskiy won his team-leading 13th game of the season (13-10-2) with a 26-save effort, while Szuper made 39 saves, as the RiverKings outshot the Sundogs 43-27 for the night.

It was the first victory for the RiverKings since a 4-3 home shootout victory over Evansville on February 15th. The win was also the first one on the road since a 5-3 conquest of the IceMen in Evansville on January 15th.

NOTE: Prior to the game, Central Hockey League commissioner Duane Lewis joined Arizona ownership in announcing that the 2012 CHL All-Star game would be played in Arizona, a date and time to be announced later.

Next action for the RiverKings will come tomorrow night at 8:05 PM Central time, when the RiverKings wrap up the three-game series with the Sundogs in Arizona. Broadcast coverage with Bob Bakken calling the action will be on Sports 56, WHBQ-AM at 7:50 PM Central time.

The RiverKings will return home after Saturday's game for a Thursday night clash with the Dayton Gems, starting at 7:05 PM in Southaven's DeSoto Civic Center.

Fans are also invited to join RiverKings coach Paul Gardner for the Coach's Show Monday night, broadcast live on Sports 56 at 7:00 PM from the Southaven O'Charley's restaurant on Goodman Road off I-55.

For RiverKings ticket information, call 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!

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