CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Claim Series Lead in OKC

Published on April 1, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Oklahoma City, OK) --- The Mississippi RiverKings have taken a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven Northern Conference semi-final series, after a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Oklahoma City Blazers on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.

Mississippi trailed 3-2 going into the third period, but goals from RiverKings forwards Stephen Margeson and Bobby Chaumont in the final frame provided the winning margin and the series lead in the team's fifth straight victory on Oklahoma City ice this year, all by one goal.

Oklahoma City took a 2-0 lead after one period with goals from Jeff MacDermid and D.J. Jelitto, but the RiverKings tied the game up at 2-2 with red-lighters from Matt Summers at 1:16 of the second period, followed later in the frame with a power play blast from Andrew Lackner at 14:02.

However, Oklahoma City held the lead at the second intermission when Ted Vandermeer slid a shot under RiverKings' goaltender Kevin Beech for his second goal of the playoffs at 14:02 for a 3-2 Blazer lead after forty minutes of play.

That set the stage for the RiverKings' comeback, as Margeson tied the game in close near the net at 3:30 for a 3-3 tie. Chaumont scored on a blast from the right side over eleven minutes later at 14:53 for the eventual game winning goal.

Beech (2-1) won for the second time in goal for the RiverKings with a 16-save, three-goal effort, while Doug Groenestege (1-1) lost in net for the Blazers, despite 31 making saves, as Mississippi out shot the Blazers by a 35-19 margin.

Mississippi scored once on the power in three chances, while Oklahoma City failed to score in their trio of man advantage opportunities.

The RiverKings and Blazers now play game four of this series tomorrow night at the Ford Center, then return to Southaven for game five on Saturday evening at the DeSoto Civic Center.

Tickets are available for Saturday's game five through the usual outlets, including Ticketmaster and the DeSoto Civic Center box office. For group tickets and other information, call the RiverKings offices at 662-342-1755.

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Central Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2009


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