CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Pierce, RiverKings Shoot Down Rapid City

January 26, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- Mississippi RiverKings' forward Matt Pierce scored two goals to lead his team to a 3-2 shootout victory over the Rapid City Rush in a Central Hockey League game played Tuesday morning, January 26th, at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven.

Pierce scored the game-winning goal as the sixth round shooter for the RiverKings, His goal was the only goal scored in the shootout session. The goal was his sixth tally of the year.

Darrell Stoddard opened the scoring for Mississippi early in the first period, netting his second goal of the year just 1:53 into the contest. The RiverKings took a 1-0 lead over the Northern Conference leaders after one period of play.

Rapid City came back to tie the game in the second period when Colt King scored a power play goal at 12:47. King's 13th goal of the year would hold up through the rest of the period to the second intermission.

Mississippi took a 2-1 lead almost immediately into the third period on Pierce's first goal of the game, redirecting the puck past the Rapid City goaltender for his fifth tally of the year with just eleven seconds gone in the frame.

But, the Rush came back in the final minutes to tie the game again. This time, Jon Pelle scored his 15th of the year at 13:23, giving Rapid City a 2-2 tie going into the overtime and shootout session.

Pierce's game-winning goal came after five and a half rounds of mis-fires by both teams. The hard wrist shot found the back of the net for his second game-winning goal of the year.

Mark Sibbald was the winning goaltender for Mississippi, stopping 32 of 34 shots on goal, as he improved his mark to 3-0-0. Sibbald has now won three straight contests since joining the RiverKings.

Miguel Beaudry (11-6-1) was the losing goalie for Rapid City, making 24 saves and allowing three goals.

The RiverKings failed to score on the power play in eleven chances, while Rapid City scored once in eight chances. The Rush out shot the RiverKings 34-27.

Mississippi has now equalled its longest winning streak of the year at three, going into their next game, a rematch with the Rush Thursday night, January 28th, at 7:05 PM.

The RiverKings record is now 20-15-4 for 44 points and for the moment have tied Bossier-Shreveport for third place in the CHL Northern Conference.

With the loss, Rapid City takes sole possession of first place in the Northern Conference by virtue of the bonus point in the standings with the shootout loss. The Rush will bring a 26-10-2 record to the DeSoto Civic Center for Thursday's game.

The game was played before 8,375 youngsters taking part in the seventh annual "Face Off Field Trip." Mississippi won for the second time (2-3-0) in "Face Off Field Trip" games that counted in the regular season standings.

For information on RiverKings tickets, call the team offices at 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2010


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