SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Beat The Blazers 3-2 In A Shootout

February 17, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss – Sunday night, two goals from Oklahoma City's Blair Manning forced overtime, but the game progressed to a shootout where the ‘Kings lit up Blazers' goaltender Ghyslain Rousseau on three consecutive shots to earn a 3-2 shootout win. Jonathan Gagnon had two goals and an assist to power the RiverKings to their fourth win in five games and keep them in a tie for the final playoff spot in the Northern Conference. The ‘Kings are home this coming weekend as they host the Indianapolis Ice on both Friday and Saturday. Face-off is set for 7:05 p.m. both nights. On Friday night all upper bowl seats are just five dollars and the first 1,500 fans receive a key chain courtesy of Nichols Ford. For tickets call (662)-342-1755 or go online at www.RiverKings.com and use the ticketmaster link.

The ‘Kings got off to a good start on the power play to open the scoring in the first period. A.J. Aitken carried the puck over the Blazers blue line and dropped to Jay Neal, who blasted a shot that was deflected by Gagnon past Rousseau at 6:42. Gagnon has scored a goal in four straight games, but his 17th was later equaled by Blair Manning who ricocheted a puck between the legs of ‘Kings goaltender Jean-Francois Racine at 14:46 for his 20th goal of the season.

Luch Nasato scored the second period's only goal at 15:29. Nasato's third of the season came on a one-time blast from the high slot and gave the ‘Kings a 2-1 lead going into the third period.

The lead didn't last as Manning struck again for his 21st of the season and second of the game off a goal-mouth scramble at 15:32. The 2-2 tie carried into overtime and the ‘Kings killed off a Blazers power play in the extra session to force the shootout.

In the wild affair, the first round of shooters both lit the lamp as Peter Arvanitis deked out Racine and Kahlil Thomas wristed a shot between the legs of Rousseau. In the second round Racine's glove deflected Joe Burton's shot over the net, while the ‘Kings inched ahead when Jonathan Gagnon's wrister trickled through Rousseau. In the third round Manning attempted a deke, but had the puck roll off his stick. Neal fired in a wrist shot to put the Blazers at the breaking point. The game was decided when Hardy Sauter's shot hit the post to Racine's right side, sealing the victory and an extra point for the RiverKings in the playoff race. FINAL SCORE Memphis 3, Oklahoma City 2 in a shootout.

Racine finished the night with 29 saves on 31 shots and stopped three of four shots in the shootout. His second win in a row improved his record to 19-8-2. Rousseau turned aside 20 of 23 shots and was beaten by all three shooters he faced in the shootout to drop to 1-3-0.

The ‘Kings power play struck for the fifth straight game and finished 1-5, while the Blazers converted 1-6 opportunities.

For the complete box score use the link below.

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/print/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=16023

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

· Thursday night several ‘Kings will be at Cowboy Corner on Goodman Road from 5 – 7 p.m. to sign the commemorative posters that were given out this past Saturday night. Cowboy Corner since 1957.

· Friday when the ‘Kings host the Indianapolis Ice all upper bowl seats are available for just five dollars. Also the first 1,500 fans receive a key chain courtesy of Nichols Ford. Try us first, try us last, just try us, that's Nichols Ford.

· Saturday night the first 2,500 fans receive a set of Cheer Stix sponsored by Cellular South. Welcome to the Cellular South.

Catch the RiverKings on the air when they take on the Indianapolis Ice this Friday night on RiverKings Radio Easy 680 AM – WJCE. The pre-game show starts at 6:45 PM, face-off at 7:05 PM. For the latest stats, scores and more go online to www.RiverKings.com.



SPHL Stories from February 17, 2003


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