RiverDogs show grit, character in 4-2 win over Vipers

March 24, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond RiverDogs battled back from a 2-0 deficit and scored four straight in a gutsy, spirited, hard hitting 4-2 victory over the Roanoke Valley Vipers before an appreciative crowd of 3,412 at the Richmond Coliseum. The Vipers took a 2-0 lead early in the second period on goals from John Osborne and Mike Wiggins. The RiverDogs finally got on the board with a goal from rookie defenseman Joe Pace. It was Pace's first goal as a member of the RiverDogs and second in his career. The goal came at 4:01. Bobby Kukulka tied the game early in the third period on a nice pass from Bill Vandermeer. The goal came at the 3:38 mark. The game stayed that way until late in the period when John Osborne took a double minor penalty and misconduct, giving the RiverDogs the man advantage. Todd Grant, who has sparkled since his arrival from Elmira, sent the crowd into a frenzy with a goal with 32 seconds left in regulation. John DiPace sealed the victory with an empty net goal.

With the victory, the RiverDogs record goes to 32-25-6, 70 points and 9th overall in the standings. Quad City, who was victorious over Kalamazoo 7-5, is 8th overall and has 71 points. Richmond, however, has two games in hand on the Mallards. The RiverDogs will conclude the short three game home swing tomorrow night as they take on the Adirondack Frostbite at 7:35 pm. Tomorrow night's game will also be PACK THE POUND Night. All Upper Bowl tickets are just $6.00 and can be purchased at the Richmond Coliseum Box Office.

The Richmond RiverDogs will have a special addition to their lineup when the team plays the Adirondack Frostbite tomorrow night at 7:30pm. 30 year old Molly McMaster, who is the Community Relations Director for the Frostbite, will sign a one-game contract with the RiverDogs as a part of the United Hockey League Cross-Checks Colon Cancer program. Molly, who plays defense for adult leagues, will be in uniform and play one shift for Richmond. Molly is President of The Colon Club; a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating about colorectal cancer in out-of-box ways. This time, it is as a professional hockey player. During the month of March, Molly has suited up for one game with 12 of the 14 UHL teams to promote awareness about colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Molly will conclude her playing schedule on Sunday as a member of the Roanoke Valley Vipers, when the Vipers play host to the Elmira Jackals. Fans attending tomorrow night's game will receive a commemorative Molly McMaster hockey card and brochure on The Colon Club with information on colorectal cancer. Special prizes will be awarded to fans throughout the evening. Fleet Laboratories, along with the UHL, will co-sponsor the event. Molly recently appeared on ESPN 2 Cold Pizza earlier in the week. For more information on The Colon Club and to learn more about Colorectal Cancer, visit www.colonclub.com

Also on Saturday, March 25, 2006, prior to the RiverDogs ~ Frostbite contest, the Richmond RiverDogs will sponsor the 8th Annual Canada-USA Benefit Hockey game to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Richmond Coliseum doors will open at 11:00 am (Richmond Coliseum 7th Street Entrance) for the benefit games. The first game will feature the Richmond Royals Under 16 game at 11:45 am followed by the Canada-USA Benefit game at 1:30 pm. During the 1st intermission, the Richmond Royals will conduct a Mite Mini Game. The final contest will be the Richmond Royals Squirt game at 3:50 pm. Ticket prices for the benefit games are $10.00 for adults, children under 12 are just $8.00 and is General Admission. For ticket purchases, contact the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 804-527-1500. Tickets for the benefit game do not apply to the 7:35 pm RiverDogs game.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 24, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central