CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings get shoot-out win over Tulsa

December 16, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN --- The Memphis RiverKings and Tulsa Oilers again couldn't decide a game in regulation Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. In their third match-up of the season, the teams went past regulation for the third time as the RiverKings defeated the Oilers 4-3 in a shoot-out to win their third in three tries over Tulsa. It was also the RiverKings' third straight win and their 15th win of the season. They will next play Oklahoma City at 7:05 on Tuesday at the DCC.

Rick Kozak opened the scoring early in the first as he jammed in a rebound from the doorstep for a 1-0 Memphis lead. It was Kozak's fifth goal in his seven games with the RiverKings Tulsa, though, would later score twice in the period to take a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission on goals by David Masse and Darryl Smoleroff.

Darrell Stoddard slipped a rebound past Oiler goalie Bill Ruggiero at 6:28 of the second period for his seventh of the campaign, evening the score at two. David Rattray would give the advantage back to Tulsa six and a half minutes later when he beat RiverKings goalie Larry Sterling one-on-one unassisted. The score stood at 3-2 entering the third.

The lone goal of the third period came at 2:24 on a scramble in front of the Oiler net that was finished off when Ryan Held flipped the loose back behind Ruggiero for his fourth of the season and a 3-3 tie.

Like the game between these teams on Tuesday in Tulsa, the overtime went scoreless, sending the decision into a shootout. Both teams converted on their first two attempts. Sterling and Ruggiero then took control in the third and fourth rounds to keep the shootout tied at two entering the fifth round.

The RiverKings' Louis Dumont, who missed time in the first period after being boarded on play where Tulsa's Bryan Lachapelle was given a game misconduct, scored in the shootout's fifth round for what would end up as the game winner. Sterling put the finishing touches on the win when he denied Rattray on the Oilers final chance.

For the second consecutive night, the RiverKings dominated in the shots on goal statistic. After out-shooting Wichita 47-15 on Friday, the RiverKings doubled up the Oilers 54-27.

Larry Sterling made 24 saves to win his CHL tops 14th game. The RiverKings also improved their record in shootouts to 4-1 and maintained their four point lead over Youngstown in the Northeast Division.

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RiverKings tickets make great Christmas gifts. Flex Plan packages start at only $88 for 8 Red Level Coupons that can be used for any home game. Ticket Gift Certificates are also available.

Call 662-342-1755 for more information.

Don't miss the next Kevin McClelland Show on Tuesday, January 2 LIVE from Beef O' Brady's in Southaven from 6-7 on Sports 56 WHBQ.

RiverKings Single-Game Tickets for all 2006-2007 home games are on sale now at the DeSoto Civic Center box office and at all TicketMaster locations.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Friday, December 15 --- Mercury Printing Team Poster to first 1,500 fans; Teddy Bear Toss; Post Game Skate; Saturday, December 16 --- CW-30 Hockey Mr Potato Head to first 1,500 fans; Q107.5 Diamond Giveaway; Tuesday, December 19 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans

After every RiverKings home game, the party heads to the new Buffalo Wild Wings on Airways in Southaven, the official Post Game Hang-Out of the RiverKings.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2006


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