CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings news and notes

Published on October 26, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, October 21.....Bossier-Shreveport 4 Memphis 3 at Bossier City

Bossier-Shreveport's Brett Smith scored a short-handed goal for the game winner and in the process spoiled a nice RiverKings comeback in a 4-3 Bossier-Shreveport win over Memphis on Friday night in front of over 7,000 at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City. The Mudbugs opened up a 2-0 lead in the second period on a first period goal by Scott Sheppard and a second period tally by new ‘Bug Blair Manning. The RiverKings then responded with 3 unanswered from Derek Landmesser, new RiverKings forward Ryan Watson and Jeremy Wray to take a 3-2 lead at 11:32 of the second period. The lead lasted only 1:06 with Jason Campbell redirecting a Chad Spurr shot to tie it at 3 at 12:38. Smith's short-handed effort came at 17:05 of the second and rounded out the scoring. Miguel Beaudry made some big saves to keep it close early in his RiverKings debut, making 41 saves in the loss while Paul Shonfelder made 23 and got the win. The Mudbugs outshot the RiverKings 45-26 and pick up the win in what was the first of 12 meetings between the two division rivals.

RIVERKINGS HERE AND THERE

The RiverKings' loss in the season opener on Friday snapped a short 2 game season opener winning streak. The last time the RiverKings opened the season with a loss was 10/17/02 when they lost, coincidently, at Bossier-Shreveport by a score of 4-3.

The RiverKings all-time record in season openers is now 6-8-0. The team has opened the season on the road 11 of their 14 seasons. In fact, the RiverKings opened on the road for the first 8 years of their existence from 1992-93 to 1999-2000 (each season that they called the Mid-South Coliseum). They broke the string when they hosted and defeated Huntsville 6-1 in the 00-01 season opener on 10/14/00 in the first regular season game at the DCC.

By going without a point on Friday, Don Parsons snapped a 13 (11g/11a) game point scoring streak that dated back to last season. It is the first time in his RiverKings career that he has been held without point in the season opener.

Parsons will take over another RiverKings career statistic category with the games this weekend. On Friday, he will tie and, on Saturday he will break Derek Grant's RiverKings games played record. Parsons is at 316. Grant finished his Memphis career in 2000 with 317 games played. Parsons eclipsed Grant on the all-time scoring list on February 26 last season with his 469th RiverKings point. Parsons is the all-time leader in goals scored with 261 and hat tricks with 15. Parsons is beginning his sixth season with the RiverKings and his 14th overall. Derek Grant played for the RiverKings from 1995-2000 and still holds the all-time lead in assists (272) and single season scoring (123 pts in 98-99).

The ten newcomers on the RiverKings' roster combined for 1 goal (Ryan Watson), 3 assists (Watson, Stoddard-2) and 11 PIM in the game on Friday. Miguel Beaudry, another new face, made 41 saves on 45 shots (a .911 save percentage) in the loss.

With his goal on Friday night, Jeremy Wray has scored 6 goals in his last 8 games dating back to last season.

O'Charley's in Southaven hosted the Kevin McClelland Show for the first time this past Tuesday. Fans are welcome to come be a part of the show, mingle with players and enjoy some great O' Charley's food. Next Tuesday's show will also originate from O'Charley's from 6 to 7.

THE STAT

11-1-1........The RiverKings all-time record in home openers. Their record is 5-0-0 at the DeSoto Civic Center.

COACH'S SHOW QUOTE

"We have to go out and play smart. We have to use the energy of the home opener to our benefit and not get overly excited and end up in the penalty box with stupid penalties." Head Coach Kevin McClelland talking about playing the home opener this Friday. The Kevin McClelland Show airs every Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock on Sports 56-WHBQ

WEEKEND EVENTS

On Saturday, the First Annual Shootout Car, Truck and Bike Show is going to be held in the DeSoto Civic Center's southeast parking lot. Registration takes place from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and is 25 dollars for your custom vehicle. Registration includes a ticket to Saturday night's RiverKings/Mudbugs game with extra tickets available at a reduced rate. Judging begins at 1pm with awards in 4 classes including best overall, best paint, best interior, "ladies choice" and "RiverKings choice." Admission for attendance and parking are both free. This event coincides with the custom "hot rod" jersey's the RiverKings will be wearing that night, culminating with a jersey auction following the game. For more information on the 1st Annual Shootout you can e-mail info@shootoutevent.com, call 901-857-4058 or go to www.shootoutevent.com.

Also on Saturday, the RiverKings and Lifeblood will be hosting a community blood drive at the DeSoto Civic Center from 10 am to 4pm. All donors will receive a complimentary special edition RiverKings/Lifeblood t-shirt. This is the first of three planned blood drives that will be held during the season with each featuring a different RiverKings/Lifeblood themed t-shirt for donors.

The RiverKings 32-game 2005-2006 home schedule opens on October 28 with the Youngstown Steelhounds. Season tickets, 16 game weekend plans and voucher plans for the 2005-2006 RiverKings' season are available now. For ticket information, call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 and ask for the ticket department or stop by the DCC during business hours.

Single-game tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 901-525-1515 or at ticketmaster.com.

You can hear all regular-season RiverKings games on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560).

The Kevin McClelland Show airs every Tuesday night at 6 on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560).

Doors open for all RiverKings home games one hour before game-time.

HOME OPENER IS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

UPCOMING

Youngstown Steelhounds (1-0-1) @ Memphis RiverKings (0-1-0)

Friday, October 28, 7:05

DeSoto Civic Center (8,400)

First 1500 Fans Receive RiverKings 2005-2006 Magnetic Schedules Courtesy of Miller Lite

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (2-0-0) @ Memphis RiverKings (0-1-0)

Saturday, October 29, 7:05

DeSoto Civic Center (8,400)

First 1500 Fans Receive Cellular South CheerStix

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2005


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