CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Avert Shutout, Fall to Bossier-Shreveport

December 12, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Southaven, MS) --- The Mississippi RiverKings were able to avert a shutout with a late third period goal, but the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs parlayed three second period goals into their fifth win of the year against the RiverKings in a 3-1 victory on Saturday, December 12th in Southaven.

There was no scoring in the first period, but a shorthanded goal was sandwiched around two full strength tallies in the second period to give the Mudbugs a lead they would never surrender.

Mudbug forward Joe Blaznek opened the scoring with his tenth goal of the year at 7:32, following by the eventual game-winning goal from Brett Smith at 17:50 of the middle period. The goal came with Luis Tremblay in the penalty box for the Mudbugs and became Smith's second game-winning goal of the year.

Tyler Liebel would add another goal with 2.8 seconds remaining in the period for the Mudbugs' third goal of the frame.

Mississippi would press the issue in the third period, outshooting the Mudbugs 18-4 in the session. Adding to the pressure was the departure of goaltender Ray Jean in the final four minutes for an extra attacker, a ploy that worked when Steve Makway's blast from the left point found the back of the net for the RiverKings' first and only goal of the night.

Louis Dumont and Matt Summers earned assists on the RiverKings' scoring play at 18:03.

Mississippi outshot the Mudbugs 35-24 for the contest. Neither team scored on the power play, with the RiverKings ending 0-for-4 and the Mudbugs were 0-for-6.

Jean is now 8-8-1 for the season after a 21-save effort. Ken Carroll was the winning goaltender after stopping 34 of 35 RiverKings shots on goal, moving his record to 5-4-0.

With the loss, the RiverKings fall into a tie with the Mudbugs for fourth place in the Central Hockey League Northern Conference standings. Mississippi has a record of 11-11-2 for 24 points.

After the game, an auction of the special night jerseys worn by the RiverKings for the contest was held. The auction netted about $3,500 which is shared between the non-profit MVP of the night, the Friends of the NRA, and the Jr. StreetKings youth roller hockey program in Hernando, supported by the Maddox Foundation.

Mississippi plays its final game before Christmas on Friday, December 18th against the Rapid City Rush, starting at 7:05 PM. Tickets for all RiverKings games are available, call the RiverKings front office for more information at 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!



Central Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2009


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