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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Drop Weekend Finale in Fayetteville

April 2, 2016 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Mississippi RiverKings (27-17-9) allowed four first-period goals as the Fayetteville FireAntz (29-21-4) took the finale of the two-game weekend series 7-3 on Saturday night in Fayetteville.

The FireAntz wasted little time getting on the board. Just 1:09 into the first period, Nick Lazorko capitalized on a rebound and beat RiverKings netminder Peter Di Salvo blocker-side to take a 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later, Kyle Gibbons found a loose puck behind Di Salvo and poked it to the back of the net to put Fayetteville up 2-0.

The RiverKings got a goal back at the 7:10 mark of the opening period. Devin Mantha's shot from the slot rang off the crossbar and off a FireAnt defenseman to the back of the net to cut the RiverKing deficit to one.

Fayetteville regained their two-goal lead just under ten minutes later. Joseph Manno's pass through the crease found Chris Porter who one-timed a shot past Di Salvo to put the FireAntz on top 3-1. Manno then assisted on his second of the game, setting up Josh McQuade on a two-on-one as Fayetteville took a 4-1 lead into the first intermission.

In the second, with Garrett Sheehan replacing Di Salvo between the pipes, Fayetteville added to their lead. Manno, on a breakaway, backhanded a shot over a diving Sheehan to push their lead to 5-1.

Late in the second, the RiverKings trimmed their deficit again. Todd Hosmer made a centering pass from behind the net to Cullen Bradshaw who ripped a shot past Parker Van Buskirk to cut the deficit to three going into the third period.

Fayetteville notched another just under three minutes into the third. Steven Hoshaw's shot from the blueline beat Sheehan to give the FireAntz a 6-2 lead. The FireAntz added a shorthanded goal when Derek Elliott's shot bounced off the pads of Sheehan and Nick Lazorko hammered home the rebound to put Fayetteville up 7-2.

Late in the third, Reid Campbell's shot from the point slipped through traffic, but it would not be enough as the RiverKings fell to Fayetteville 7-3.

Peter Di Salvo (13-6-4) took the loss after stopping five of nine shots against. Garrett Sheehan did not factor in the decision after replacing Di Salvo at the start of the second period as he stopped seven of ten. Parker Van Buskirk (20-16-4) stopped 28 of 31 shots against in the win.

The RiverKings were held scoreless on three power play opportunities while holding Fayetteville without a power play goal on their lone chance with the man advantage.

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.



SPHL Stories from April 2, 2016


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