CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings fall just short of Mudbugs, 2-1

Published on January 31, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Bossier City, LA - The two-time defending CHL champion Memphis RiverKings came up just short on Saturday night, falling in defeat to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 2-1 before an announced crowd of 5,936 at the CenturyTel Center.

Mudbugs forward David Oliver scored the game-winning goal, on a powerplay in the second period off a rebound given up by RiverKings goaltender Mike Minard. Oliver's goal, his twelfth of the season, put the Mudbugs up 2-0 at the time, a lead they would never relinquish.

The game started off as a defensive struggle, with neither team able to score on the other. Despite outshooting Memphis 17-3 in the first period, the Mudbugs were unable to push a puck past Minard.

It wasn't until the second frame, on a turnover in front of the RiverKings net, that the Mudbugs were able to notch their first score. Forward Forbes MacPherson scored on an open shot in the slot, tallying his eleventh goal of the campaign.

The RiverKings finally got on the board midway through the final frame, as forward Jonathan Gagnon scored shorthanded off assists by defenseman Juraj Durco and forward Alexandre Mathieu.

The RiverKings were able to kill off several shorthanded situations late, including a 5-on-3 disadvantage and a 4:00 double-minor called on captain Don Parsons. But Memphis was unable to score the equalizer, giving Bossier-Shreveport the victory.

Minard stopped 35 of 37 shots in the loss. Mudbugs goaltender Ken Carroll stopped 16 of 17 shots for the victory.

The loss dropped Memphis a full eight points back of Bossier-Shreveport in the Northeast Division. The two teams will meet once again in the RiverKings' next game, coming up on Friday, February 6 at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2004


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