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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

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December 22, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


THE WEEK'S RESULTS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 Bossier-Shreveport 8 Memphis 2 @ Bossier-Shreveport

RiverKings Captain Don Parsons reached the 1000 point milestone but it happened in a game that was far from milestone status for Memphis. Bossier-Shreveport scored 12 seconds into the game and did not look back in an overwhelming 8-2 win over the RiverKings. The Mudbugs' Forbes MacPherson scored the first of his two goals before most of 5,205 fans at the CenturyTel Center had settled into their seats. And when the dust settled after the first 20 minutes, the Mudbugs had a 4-0 lead and a 22-2 shots advantage. Memphis showed some life, though, to start the second. Parsons notched his 1000th point on a power play 33 seconds into the second to make it 4-1. The Riverkings made it a game again just 2:15 later on another Parsons put-back tally to make it 4-2. The Mudbugs would then follow with four straight goals, three in the third, to put the game away. MacPherson, Brett Smith and Chris Brassard had two goals each as the Mudbugs out-shot Memphis for the game 44-17. J.F. Racine started in the nets for the RiverKings and took the loss after being pulled at the conclusion of the first period. It was just his second loss in 15 career games against Bossier-Shreveport.

MORE ON PARSONS

He is the 48th player in minor-pro hockey to reach 1000 points in his career. Former and long-time Oklahoma City Blazer Joe Burton reached one-thousand just the night before with a goal for the Motor City Mechanics of the U.H.L. Parsons has scored more than one- hundred points in a season four times and has averaged 99.4 points and 50.4 goals the last five seasons entering the 2004-2005 campaign. He is on pace for totals of 48 goals and 82 points this season. Entering this week, he is third in the CHL in points (34) and tied for first in goals (20). Parsons is a two-time League M.V.P., a former playoff M.V.P., a four-time all-star and was last year's C.H.L. Man of the Year.

HERE AND THERE

Parsons has an eight-game scoring streak and a four-game goal-scoring streak after his two goals on Saturday night. In the eight games, he has ten goals and four assists.

Goalie J.F. Racine's loss to the Mudbugs on Saturday night was just his second in 15 career games and it snapped a six-game personal winning streak against them. He now has a 10-2-1 career mark versus Bossier-Shreveport.

The RiverKings 2-for-4 performance on the power-play Saturday night bumped their season average to 16.2, good for ninth best in the league.

The eight goals given up by the RiverKings were the most since an 8-6 loss to New Mexico on 12/2/03

THE STAT

While Parsons became the 48th minor-pro league player to reach 1000, he is just the third American-born player to do so. Parsons, Burton and all-time leader Guyle Fielder are the only American-born players among the 48. Fielder amassed an amazing 1929 in his 23 year career.

COACH'S SHOW QUOTE

"We can't afford to play games like that when we're struggling for virtually our lives and the playoff hunt. To go out and lay an egg like that was completely embarrassing." Head Coach Mark Richards on Saturday's game. The RiverKings Coach's Show is on Sports 56-WHBQ every Tuesday at 5pm. Although the show will be on holiday hiatus next week.

ROSTER MOVES

The RiverKings signed rookie forward Joe Lovell to a Standard Players Contract on Thursday, December 16. To make room for Lovell, the RiverKings waived forward/defenseman Chris Pelletier. The 23-year-old Lovell played college hockey at Division-One Bentley College before starting his professional career this season with the Richmond Riverdogs of the United Hockey League. He went scoreless in two games with the Riverdogs. Pelletier, also a rookie, was signed by Memphis after being noticed at a free-agent camp prior to this season. He played in all 24 games for the RiverKings this season, seeing time on both the forward line and blue line. Pelletier had two assists.

And then this week , Memphis placed third year defenseman Ryan Rome on the 45-Day Injured Reserve. Rome suffered a high ankle sprain in the December 1 game at Topeka and has been unable to return to 100 percent. He was acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City on November 16 and has gone scoreless in nine games with the RiverKings. To fill Rome's roster spot, Memphis recalled defenseman Steve Margeson from Fayetteville of the S.P.H.L. The 23 year-old Margeson played the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons in Memphis.

THIS WEEK

The RiverKings and Mudbugs will tussle in a Christmas Eve-Eve rematch of the game last Saturday. With Fort Worth winning Tuesday night, Bossier-Shreveport is two points behind the Brahmas in the Northeast Division race. Game-time

is 7:05 on Thursday night and will be broadcast on Sports 56-WHBQ.

RiverKings tickets make great gifts for the holidays or any special occasion. For more information or to purchase season tickets, group tickets, mini-plans, or 9 game vouchers call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 and ask for the sales department or stop by the DCC during business hours.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2004


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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