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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Control Mayhem, 4-1

February 6, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - Jared Rutledge turned away 30 shots, and Donald Olivieri netted his first goal in his first game back with the team as the RiverKings beat the Mayhem 4-1 during Face Off Field Trip.

After two games in Macon this past weekend, it was the RiverKings turn to play host and not only to the Mayhem but 4,581 excited school children from all over the Mid-South. The fans and the RiverKings didn't get to chance to cheer first as Macon took the game's first lead halfway through the second period. A point shot from Brandon Pfeil, his first game back since a one-game stint in the ECHL, boomed off the right pad of Jared Rutledge with Paul Russell waiting to bury the loose puck, breaking the scoreless tie.

The RiverKings wasted no time to tie things up, only one minute and four seconds when Donald Olivieri wristed a shot from the point that found it's way past Charlie Finn. The power-play goal was Olivieri's fourth tally of the season and his first in his first game back with the team since returning from ECHL Rapid City. Mississippi would take the lead of the game on a two-on-one opportunity later in the middle period. Shane Bennett streaking down the left side had assistance from Devin Mantha across the ice but decided to take the shot and faked out Finn, burying the puck it into the empty net.

WIth the 2-1 lead heading into the third period, the RiverKings continued to roll. Bennett continued a hard forecheck behind the Macon goal and forced Finn to play the puck. Finn mishandled the puck sending it sliding to the slot where Brantley Sherwood pounced on it and fired it home giving the RiverKings a 3-1 lead. Bryan Arneson would take on an empty-netter in the waning moments of the final frame, and the RiverKings prevailed, 4-1.

With the win, the RiverKings improve to 17-17-2 on the season with their first back-to-back wins since December 16 and 22. Macon falls to 20-10-5 on the season with the loss. Mississippi returns to action this Friday with an away game against the Evansville Thunderbolts before returning home to Planters Bank Ice at Landers Center on Saturday night for the completion of the home-and-home series with the Thunderbolts. It's RiverThing's Birthday and Preds Night at Planters Bank Ice at Landers Center on Saturday night. With a special Kids Club event, appearances by Gnash and the Predators Energy team, Rockey Redbird, and the Chick-Fil-A cow, fans can enjoy a memorable night. For tickets visit riverkings.com/preds.

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