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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Advance To Conference Finals

April 6, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Oklahoma City, OK) --- The Mississippi RiverKings defeated the Oklahoma City Blazers 3-1 Monday night at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, and with the win have advanced to the Northern Conference finals, where they will play the CHL regular season champion Colorado Eagles in a best-of-seven series.

All the damage came in the first period for both teams, followed by two good defensive periods that resulted in the RiverKings' series victory.

The Blazers opened the scoring with an unassisted goal from Eric Przepiorka nearly four minutes into the first period, but that seemed to wake up the RiverKings, who scored the next three goals in the opening session.

Bobby Chaumont started the Mississippi first period scoring with his fourth goal of the series, tipping a shot from the point by defenseman Andrew Lackner into the net past the Oklahoma City goaltender at 7:13 for a 1-1 tie.

Mississippi took the lead when Lackner scored on a shot from the high slot just over two minutes later at 9:29 for a 2-1 score. Chaumont and Jeff Nelson earned assists on the goal.

The RiverKings made the score 3-1 after one period when Nelson slid one by the Blazer net minder for his first playoff goal, assisted by Chaumont and Dane Marshall. The goal at 13:21 resulted in the two goal lead at the first intermission.

There was no scoring in the second period, as each team traded six shots apiece and also no scoring in the third period, as Oklahoma City pressed the offense, out shooting the RiverKings by a 12-7 margin. However, the RiverKings outshot the Blazers in the game by a 27-25 margin.

Mississippi goaltender Kevin Beech (4-2) picked up his fourth victory of the playoffs with a 24-save performance, while Oklahoma City goaltender Doug Groenestege (2-2) suffered his second loss of the series, also with a 24-save effort.

Neither team scored on the power play, as Mississippi was 0-for-6 and Oklahoma City was 0-for-4.

Colorado advanced to the finals with a four-game sweep of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, winning game four by a 4-3 overtime margin.

Playoff tickets for the series in Mississippi are available from the DeSoto Civic Center box office and through Ticketmaster. For group tickets and other information, call the RiverKings offices at 662-342-1755.



Central Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2009


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