SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Beat The Blazers 5-2

Published on April 2, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY – The RiverKings completed a rally from a two games to one deficit with 5-2 win over the Oklahoma City Blazers in front of 6,204 fans at the Ford Center in decisive Game Five and captured the series three games to two. Kahlil Thomas had a goal and two assists and Michal Stastny had a pair of goals and an assist to lead the ‘Kings into the Northern Conference Finals against the Indianapolis Ice. Game One of the Conference Finals is Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. For tickets call (662) 342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

The Blazers took the early lead when Marty Standish one-timed home a power play goal at 5:20. Then even strength Dave Shields hit the post with a shot and Ryan Watson was there to jam home the rebound to electrify the Ford Center crowd at 8:32 and a 2-0 Oklahoma City lead. The ‘Kings got back in the game on the power play when Stastny pushed the puck into the cage on a goal mouth scramble at 13:08. Late in the frame Memphis again benefited from Blazers' penalties as Don Parsons hammered home a one-timer during a five-on-three power play at 16:45 to tie the game.

In the second period the Blazers went on the man advantage just under two minutes in, but it was the ‘Kings who capitalized. Thomas poked the puck away from Ryan Campbell at the point and was off to the races on a short handed breakaway, Thomas faked to the backhanded and then wristed the puck off the right post and into the net at 2:52 for the ‘Kings first lead of the night. A little over halfway thru the period the Blazers put on a flurry as they peppered ‘Kings goalie Mark Richards with shot after shot, but he was equal to the task. Oklahoma City continued to push, but Memphis had the answers as Stastny broke down the right wing and fed the puck backdoor for Jonathan Gagnon who tipped it in at 11:47 for a 4-2 ‘Kings advantage.

Going the third the RiverKings played smart looking to hang onto the lead. With less than a minute to go Stastny stuffed in his second of the night for an empty netter to seal the win. FINAL SCORE Memphis 5, Oklahoma City 3.

Richards came up big with 32 stops on 34 shots to improve to 3-1 in the post-season. Ballard continued to struggle as he allowed four goals on 25 shots and fell to 2-3. Oklahoma City went 1-5 on the power play while Memphis was 2-5.

Series Standing 3–2 Memphis Wins

For the complete box score use the link below.

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/print/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=31651

ON THE AIR

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

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SPHL Stories from April 2, 2003


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