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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings news and notes

January 5, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


THE WEEK'S RESULTS Memphis 0-3-1

Thursday, December 30 Oklahoma City 4 Memphis 2 @ Memphis

Blazers All-Star Michel Beausoleil scored a hat trick and goalie Boyd Ballard made 39 saves to help the Blazers snap their five-game winless streak and send the RiverKings to their fourth straight defeat. Former RiverKing Kahlil Thomas started the scoring in the first with a short-handed unassisted goal on a break after he blocked a shot at his own blue-line. Beausoleil would score the first of his three in the second period at 5:48 to make it 2-0. Memphis cut that lead in half when Alexandre Mathieu tipped in a Jeremy Goetzinger wrister from the point at 16:13 in the second. Unfortunately, the one-goal difference lasted only a minute-24 as Pat Hallet deposited a one-timer off a loose puck in the slot to make it 3-1 going into the third. Travis Banga struck with a quick goal just 13 seconds into the final stanza that made it 3-2. That's when Ballard and Beausoleil went to work. Ballard made several key saves throughout game as well as when it was 3-2. Beausoleil then put the game away with tallies at 4:41 and an empty-netter at 18:58.

Friday, December 31 Bossier-Shreveport 5 Memphis 4 SO @ Memphis

Dan Wildfong had two goals and an assist to lead the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to the win on New Year's Eve after the RiverKings had built a 4-1 second period lead. Parsons scored his twenty-first of the season on his patented wide drive to the front of the net just 42 seconds into the game to put Memphis up 1-0. The Mudbugs tied the game when Ryan Manitowich was awarded a penalty shot and converted at 8:04 of the first frame. Crowley's return paid off on the next goal. On the power-play, he sent a hard shot to the net that was redirected in by Phil Aucoin for his tenth of the season to put the ‘Kings back up by one after one. Memphis took advantage an extended five-on-three in the second. Crowley one-timed a missile past Mudbug goalie Jeff Blair at 8:51 followed by Alexandre Mathieu's rebound tally a minute-21 later, making it 4-1. But that is when Bossier-Shreveport showed why they are first place team, scoring late in second and twice in third to force overtime and eventually the shoot-out. Dan Wildfong scored the equalizer with 2:42 remaining and Scott Sheppard scored the clincher in the shoot-out. Crowley, playing in his first game since October 24, returned from his 25-game suspension and scored a goal and had two assists while Derek Landmesser had three assists.

Saturday, January 1 Bossier-Shreveport 3 Memphis 1 @ Bossier City

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs made it four wins in a row over Memphis and the second in as many nights Saturday with a 3-1 win. Brett Smith scored twice to aid the Mudbugs in expanding their lead in the Northeast Division. Ryan Manitowich and Smith each scored in the first period to make it a 2-0 lead for the ‘Bugs after one. Don Parsons cut the lead in half with a rebound goal into an open net at 3:35 of second. Assists went to Travis Banga and Ted Crowley on what was Parsons' 22nd of the season. Bossier-Shreveport would build their lead back to two as Smith scored a quirky goal from behind the net to wrap up the scoring at the 10:50 mark in the second period.

Tuesday, Januray 4 Fort Worth 3 Memphis 2 @ Fort Worth

Forth Worth's Jan Jas had a goal and two assists as the Brahmas sent the Memphis RiverKings to their seventh loss in a row 3-2 Tuesday night at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The Brahmas' second line of Jan Jas, Derrell Upton and Joey Bastien accounted for all three goals and had six points. After a scoreless first period, Fort Worth took a 2-0 lead on goals by Upton and Jas. The RiverKings' Steve Margeson scored his first of the season and cut the lead to 2-1. Bastien scored a late second period power play goal to make 3-1 heading into the third. Don Parsons made it interesting again with his 23rd of the season on a five-on-three power-play at 11:12 of the third period but that would end the scoring. Larry Sterling made 24 saves to improve to 4-2-1 while David Lemanowicz made 23 saves in the loss to fall to 5-10-0. Shots for the game were even at 26-apiece.

HERE AND THERE

Don Parsons has scored a goal in each of the last three games. His season total of 23 has him tied with Fort Worth's Chad Woolard for the league lead.

Thursday night's game with Bossier-Shreveport marks the start of the second half of the season for the RiverKings. They finished the first 30 games of the season at 11-18-1.

Out of the 30 games in second half of the season, 18 are at the DeSoto Civic Center.

This weekend's three game homestand is the first of four three-home game weekends this season for Memphis.

The forward line of Parsons, Phil Aucoin, Travis Banga have combined for 81 of the team's 209 points. That is 39% of the team's production.

ROSTER CHANGES

N.H.L. veteran Scott Young signed with the RiverKings on Wednesday. He brings 16 seasons of NHL experience, 1,102 games, two Stanley Cup Championships and 324 career goals to the Mid-South. He will play Thursday night. To sign Young, the RiverKings cleared a veteran roster spot by waiving Alexandre Mathieu. Wing Ken Goetz is expected to make his return off the IR Thursday and play in the game versus Bossier-Shreveport.

THE STAT

Through Wednesday of this week, the RiverKings have made 43 transactions this season. The next closest team is Odessa with 28 transactions. Colorado and Lubbock have had just 7 each. The league average is 18 transactions.

COACH'S SHOW QUOTE

"I have said this from day one, you don't have to shoot the puck a hundred miles an hour to score goals" Head Coach Mark Richards. The RiverKings Coach's Show airs every Tuesday evening at 5 o'clock on Sports 56 WHBQ.

THIS WEEK

Thursday, January 6 Bossier-Shreveport 7:05 Visual Thunder RiverKings CD-Rom Giveaway

Friday, January 7 New Mexico 7:05 RiverKings Rock! Music CD Giveaway / Post-game skate

Saturday, January 8 New Mexico 7:05 Graceland's Elvis Presley Birthday Puck Giveway, Post-game auction

ALL STAR BREAK of RiverKings Rock and Roll Jerseys worn that night.

A RiverKings game can be even more fun when you take it in with your group or organization. Get your group together and have a great time at the DeSoto Civic Center. 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.

Catch all the exciting action of 2004-2005 RiverKings Hockey on Sports 56 WHBQ.

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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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