CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings news and notes

Published on February 23, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


THE WEEK'S GAMES

Thursday, February 17 Topeka 4 Memphis 1 @ Memphis

Dallas Flaman scored twice and Dwayne Bateman made 35 saves to help the Tarantulas end an eight-game road winless streak and improve to 2-3 versus the ‘Kings this season. Olivier Maltais and Flaman scored in the first to make it 2-0 after one. Scott English scored the only goal for Memphis. English's goal, his fourth of the season, made it 2-1 at 3:50 of the third, but that would be it for the Memphis offense. Topeka put it away with a Tab Lardner goal at 12:00 followed by a Flaman empty netter to seal the deal at 4-1. Bateman was the story through much of the game as he came up with several circus saves to deny some high-quality RiverKings' chances. David Lemanowicz made 27 saves to take the loss and drop to 12-13-0 on the season.

Friday, February 18 Colorado 5 Memphis 2 @ Memphis

The Central Hockey League leading Colorado Eagles won their fifth in a row. The Eagles sent the RiverKings to their third straight loss. Both teams battled through most of the first period without a goal until Riley Nelson scored his team leading 28th goal of the season with only 41 seconds remaining to take a 1-0 lead into the second period. Colorado would score three straight in period number two to build a 4-0 lead on a pair from Chris Hartsburg and a short-handed goal by Karlis Zirnis. Travis Banga put one in off a defenseman's skate at 16:45 for his 17th of the season to make it 4-1. Nelson effectively put the game away with his second of the night and 29th of the season at 15:29. Ted Crowley added a late power-play goal for the ‘Kings at 18:39 for his 10th of the season to cap the scoring at 5-2. Paulo Colaiacovo saved 29 of 31 shots to improve to 5-1-0 while David Lemanowicz stopped 23 of 28 to take the loss and see his record drop to 12-14-0. The RiverKings out-shot Colorado 31-29. The Eagles were one-for-four on the power play while the RiverKings were one-for-five.

Saturday, February 19 Memphis 4 Colorado 1 @ Memphis

Travis Banga scored two goals, his 17th and 18th of the season and David Lemanowicz made 39 saves as he held the top-scoring team in the Central Hockey League to just one goal. Banga scored the lone goal of the first period at 4:24 on a rebound after Allan Carr hit the post. Colorado wouldn't get on the board until the second period as Karlis Zirnis tied it with his second goal in as many nights at 4:30. But Banga would strike again on another rebound. This time it was with the man-advantage off a Derek Landmesser shot from the point 2:20 after Zirnis had tied it. Jeremy Wray added a no-look turn-around power-play goal at 17:55 of the second for his first RiverKings goal. Phil Aucoin scored the only tally of the third, his 21st of the season, to finish the scoring at 4-1. Memphis net-minder David Lemanowicz improved to 13-14-0. Colorado Rookie Tyler Weiman gave up three or more goals in a game for just the eighth time in his 34 games played this season as he lost for just the third time this season. Weiman's Goals-Against-Average entering the game was a league-leading 1.63. The RiverKings also held the Eagles to one goal for just the third time this season and for the first time since December 21.

COMING UP

Friday, February 25 Wichita @ Memphis 7:05 First 1,500 fans receive a Bally's Casino Team Photo

Saturday, February 26 San Angelo @ Memphis 7:05 First 3,000 fans receive Cellular South Cheerstix

Sunday, February 27 Fort Worth @ Memphis 3:00 First 1,500 fans receive a Ford Motors Key Chain

PLAYOFF WATCH

Entering tonight's CHL games, the RiverKings have 46 points and trail Tulsa by seven points for the fourth playoff spot in the Northern Conference. Also chasing the Oilers are: New Mexico (52pts); Fort Worth (51pts) and Oklahoma City (49pts). The Blazers play at Wichita tonight. Games of playoff interest on Friday include: Oklahoma City at Colorado; Topeka at New Mexico and Fort Worth at Tulsa.

RIVERKINGS HERE AND THERE

After their win over Colorado on Saturday night, the RiverKings are 12-16-2 when they have played with a .500 or better record. The ‘Kings are 10-9-0 when they play teams that are below the .500 mark.

League-leading goal-scorer Don Parsons has not scored a goal in his last four games. He last scored a goal when he netted two at Oklahoma City on Friday, February 11. It is the longest he has gone this season without a goal. He went three games without a goal on November 20, 23 and 25. He had a streak of goals in seven straight games between October 26 and November 9. Parsons has scored at least one goal in 29 of the teams 49 games. His total of 44 goals leads the second highest scorer Michel Beausoleil of Oklahoma City by nine goals.

Parsons is five assists from career-number 500.

Defenseman Derek Landmesser has reached 50 pts for the fourth straight season. He currently has 52. He has garnered at least 40 assists in five straight seasons as he is at 44 for this season.

Memphis native Drew Terry, who was waived by the RiverKings last week, has been signed by the Oklahoma City Blazers. He is expected to be in uniform for their game tonight at Wichita.

THE STAT

The Memphis RiverKings franchise is one win away from their 400th all-time. Since their inception in 1992, the RiverKings have posted an all-time mark of 399-375-65. Only Oklahoma City (508), Tulsa (409) and Wichita (405) have more CHL franchise wins than the RiverKings.

COACH'S SHOW QUOTE

"Our effort was excellent on Saturday night (versus Colorado). If we can come out and give that kind of effort the rest of the season, we will have a chance to win every game." Head Coach Mark Richards talking about the team's 4-1 win over the Eagles after losing the night before to them and Thursday night to Topeka. The RiverKings Coach's Show airs every Tuesday evening at 5 o'clock on Sports 56-WHBQ

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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Central Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2005


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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