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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Meet Blazers in Game Two Tonight

March 26, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


The Last Time Out...Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 - Oklahoma City 2, RiverKings 1 (1 Overtime)

Ted Vandermeer's goal at 4:25 of the first overtime gave the Oklahoma City Blazers a 2-1 victory over the Mississippi RiverKings in game one of the Ray Miron President's Cup Northern Conference semi-finals at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven on Wednesday, March 25th. Following a scoreless first period, Mississippi opened the scoring when Louis Dumont scored a power play goal at 10:13 of the second period, assisted by Jeff Nelson and Stephen Margeson, for a 1-0 lead. Mississippi out shot the Blazers by a 39-23 margin, but were out shot 4-2 in the overtime period. Doug Groenestege won the game with a 38-save performance for the Blazers, while RiverKings goaltender Kevin Beech stopped 21 shots.

RiverKings in the Post-Season

This is the eleventh time in the Central Hockey League post-season for the Mississippi/Memphis RiverKings since the franchise joined the league in the 1992-93 season. In two of the seasons, the Memphis RiverKings won the CHL Ray Miron President's Cup title, claiming back-to-back championships in 2002 and again in 2003. Memphis lost to the Fort Worth Fire in the 1997 CHL finals and lost to the Colorado Eagles in the 2007 Northern Conference finals. Memphis lost in the second round during the 2001 playoff schedule and in the remaining five times the RiverKings were eliminated in the first round.

The overall Mississippi/Memphis playoff record is 52-45, including a 29-20 record on home ice (Mid-South Coliseum and DeSoto Civic Center), and a 23-25 record at enemy venues.

In overtime playoff games, the RiverKings are 10-6, including a 5-3 home mark and a 5-3 record on the road. Mississippi is 0-3 in overtime games against Oklahoma City. Of the 19 playoff series the RiverKings have been a part of, they have won ten and lost nine.

Against Oklahoma City, the RiverKings have been stymied by the Blazers in three of the four previous playoff series. This will be the first time the Mississippi RiverKings have played against their long-standing rivals from the Sooner State, however, as the four previous series were played in Memphis RiverKings sweaters.

The RiverKings' record against the Blazers in the playoffs is 9-14. The lone series victory over Oklahoma City came in the 2003 Ray Miron President's Cup championship year, when the RiverKings took a 3-2 series victory in the Northern Conference First Round.

Dumont Back on the Board

Louis Dumont's second period power-play goal for the RiverKings in last night's loss to Oklahoma City was his first playoff goal since netting five times in the 2007 playoffs with the Memphis RiverKings. The goal also earned the veteran forward a point in his second straight playoff game, dating back to game three of last year's best-of-three series against the Texas Brahmas. His appearance last night marked his 100th career professional playoff game, in which he has scored a total of 27 goals to go with 53 assists for 80 points. Dumont has also been a thorn in the Blazers' side in the playoffs, having now scored points in three of his last four post-season encounters with Oklahoma City.

Nelson Also Hits Triple Digits

Another person hitting the century mark last night was veteran forward Jeff Nelson, playing in his 100th career profession playoff game. During that time, Nelson has scored 27 goals and has collected 51 assists for 78 points. This is the third straight playoff season for Nelson, who has played in 15 playoff campaigns, including three games of the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Washington Capitals.

Broadcasts

RiverKings hockey is covered in the Mid-South and around the world, primarily on Flinn Broadcasting station Sports 56, WHBQ-AM, with RiverKings Media Coordinator and veteran broadcaster Bob Bakken providing the play-by-play. Broadcast coverage begins 15 minutes before the game's first faceoff. An audio stream of the broadcast is available from the station's web site, www.sports56whbq.com. Fans with a high-speed internet connection can view RiverKings hockey from CHL-TV through a link from the team's official web site, www.riverkings.com. Games not aired on Sports 56, WHBQ-AM due to other programming commitments are heard on fellow Flinn Broadcasting station 96.1 FM "The Pig," WIVG-FM.

Tickets

For information on RiverKings playoff tickets, contact the team's offices at 662-342-1755. New season ticket orders for next season are now being taken and a $75.00 deposit assures you have the edge of your seat at the DeSoto Civic Center for the excitement of RiverKings hockey next season.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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