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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Hunted by Havoc, 4-1

March 30, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN Miss. - The RiverKings' three-game win streak came to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Huntsville Havoc at Planters Bank Ice at the Landers Center.

Goaltender Jared Rutledge was given the start after a solid midweek performance in a 5-2 win at Pensacola, but Head Coach Derek Landmesser pulled Rutledge midway through the first period in favor of Green. Rutledge faced five shots in which he allowed two goals to the Havoc. Huntsville, motivated from the opening face-off, took the lead thanks to Dylan Hood just over three minutes into the game. Both teams recorded eight first period shots, but Huntsville was more effective in their shot placement. Nolan Kaiser started his three-point night with a goal to make it a 2-0 Havoc lead around eight minutes after the opening goal.

Mississippi came back in the second period with a different mentality. One of the hottest players in the league, Daniel Tedesco traveled the length of the ice and laid a pass off for Derek Sutliffe, but Mike DeLaVergne denied the chance. Sutliffe had multiple opportunities in the second period as the RiverKings out-shot the Havoc 14-8. Mississippi continued to have goal-scoring chances, and DeLaVergne seemed unbeatable until Dillan Fox finally broke through with a wrist-shot from the right circle. Fox, the SPHL Warrior Player of the Week, gave the RiverKings hope after cutting the lead in half with a goal eight minutes into the second period. Fox has recorded a point in every game since his return from the ECHL. The Hummelstown, PA, native has 20 goals on the season.

The Havoc silenced the crowd just 39 seconds after Fox's goal when Kaiser netted the puck for the second time in the game. A RiverKings defensive lapse led to a backhanded shot from the center-point which beat Green. With five minutes remaining in the second period, Anthony Calabrese took advantage of the power play opportunity and scored what would be the final goal of the game.

After a scoreless third, the Havoc skated off the ice with the 4-1 win. The loss means that the RiverKings haven't clinched a playoff spot, but with a continental Birmingham loss on Friday, the RiverKings still control their destiny. A win on Saturday with a Birmingham loss means Mississippi punches their ticket to the postseason.

The RiverKings and Havoc are back in action again, tomorrow night with a rematch. It's Jurassic Puck Night at the game, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Jurassic Park film. Fans can partake in special ticket packages as low as $16 including an exclusive Jurassic Puck pint glass. It's also the final Kid's Club event night of the season. To get more information about Jurassic Puck night or Kid's Club visit riverkings.com/events.

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