SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Drop Weekend Finale 5-4 in a Shootout

Published on March 18, 2016 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - Todd Hosmer tallied a pair of goals as the Mississippi RiverKings (26-15-8) took a point away from the Fayetteville FireAntz (25-19-3) as they fell 5-4 in a shootout on Friday night in Southaven.

The RiverKings got on the board first in the opening frame. Just under 11 minutes into the first period, Linden Bahm fed Todd Hosmer at the FireAntz blueline and the RiverKing captain blasted a slap shot over the glove of goaltender Parker Van Buskirk to put the RiverKings on top 1-0.

Fayetteville tallied a pair early in the second. Kyle Gibbons gave the FireAntz notched the first just 1:42 into the period on a deflection in front of Peter Di Salvo to tie the game at one. They took the lead when Josh McQuade split the RiverKings defense and backhanded a shot past Di Salvo's blocker to put Fayetteville up 2-1.

But that lead did not last long. Bret Peppler picked up a loose puck at the blue line, carried it to the faceoff circle and wristed a shot past Van Buskirk to tie the game once again just 20 seconds later.

The teams then traded goals at the end of the period. Nick Lazorko redirected a pass from McQuade to the back of the net to put the FireAntz ahead 3-2 with 2:27 left in the second. Fifty-seven seconds later Cullen Bradshaw deflection off of a Mike Grace shot trickled past Van Buskirk to tie the game at three going into the third.

In the final period of regulation, the RiverKings took the advantage 3:01 into the frame. Hosmer collected his second goal of the game on a wrist shot from the left wing circle to put the RiverKings up 4-3.

With 7:25 left in regulation, Fayetteville tied it up to force overtime. Gibbons tallied his second goal of the night as he slipped a shot through the legs of Di Salvo to tie the game at four a piece.

After a scoreless overtime, the game headed to a shootout. Matt Harrington tied the shootout at one in round four after Cole Wilson's third-round tally, but it was Taylor Thompson who beat Di Salvo for the game-winner to give the FireAntz their second consecutive victory over the RiverKings.

Peter Di Salvo (12-4-3) stopped 29 of 33 shots against in the shootout loss. Parker Van Buskirk (16-15-3) won his fourth straight decision after stopping 26 of 30.

The RiverKings did not have a power play tonight as Fayetteville converted on one of their two chances.

Todd Hosmer takes a shot during the RiverKings game against Fayetteville on Friday night. The RiverKings fell 5-4 in a shootout. © Mark Mathews

The RiverKings are back on home ice April 8 and 9 for their final home games of the regular season against the Pensacola Ice Flyers. Get tickets for both games starting at $10 per game by calling 662-342-1755 or visit riverkings.com for more information.

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SPHL Stories from March 18, 2016


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