SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Force Game 3 with Victory

March 29, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. -- The Mississippi RiverKings forced a decisive Game 3 as Darrell Stoddard's three points led the RiverKings to a 5-2 victory over the Louisiana IceGators on Friday night.

For the second consecutive game, the RiverKings jumped on the 'Gators early. Kevin Willer collected a Tom Craig rebound and beat Dustin Carlson to put the RiverKings ahead just 2:06 into the first period.

The RiverKings continued their offensive pressure in the second. Mike MacDonald notched his first playoff point with a shorthanded goal that beat Carlson blocker side to give the RiverKings a 2-0 lead just five minutes into the second. Then Darrell Stoddard found the back of the net to put the RiverKings ahead by three before Matt Harrington connected on a power-play goal to give the RiverKings a 4-0 lead with 2:47 remaining in the second.

But Louisiana got a goal late. Troy O'Fukany beat Matt Krahn as the IceGators cut their deficit to three heading into the third period.

Louisiana's Game 1 starter Breton Lindoff replaced Carlson between the pipes to start the third and held the RiverKings scoreless until Matt Whitehead converted on a Stoddard pass on the power play to extend their lead to 5-1. With the clock winding down, O'Fukany tallied his second goal of the night, but it was too little, too late as the RiverKings forced a Game 3 with a 5-2 win.

Matt Krahn (1-1) took the win after stopping 27 of 29 shots against. Dustin Carlson took the loss after stopping 22 of 26 shots through two periods. Breton Lindoff stopped 10 of 11 in the third period.

The RiverKings and IceGators battle for the final time tomorrow night at the Cajundome in Lafayette, La. for the chance to move on to Round 2. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. with all the action airing live on the America One Sports Network. For the latest updates on all things RiverKings, including playoff information, "like" us on Facebook (facebook.com/mississippiriverkings) and "follow" us on Twitter (twitter.com/riverkings).



SPHL Stories from March 29, 2013


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