CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings News And Notes

March 17, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


WEEK PREVIEW

Down the stretch they come! The final week of the Central Hockey League regular season has arrived, and the Mississippi RiverKings have three games this weekend that will determine whether or not they qualify for the President's Cup Playoffs.

Tonight, however, the RiverKings will come to Beef O'Brady's on Goodman Road in Southaven for this season's final installment of RiverKings Roundup at 7 o'clock. Those who can't make it to Beef O'Brady's, however, can tune in to the show live on Sports 56 WHBQ.

Then the team will get back to work. On Thursday, the RiverKings will visit the Oklahoma City Blazers for the final time this season. The Blazers won't make the playoffs, but they will need to win both of their remaining games in order to finish with a .500 record. The RiverKings have won four of the prior six meetings between the two CHL Original Six clubs. Three of these games have ventured beyond regulation, with the RiverKings winning two of those.

On Friday and Saturday, the RiverKings will host the Corpus Christi Rayz. Like the Blazers, the Rayz will not make the playoffs. The RiverKings beat the Rayz at American Bank Center 4-1 on Jan. 31. "Freaky Friday" will feature Scout Night and Faith & Family Night at the DeSoto Civic Center, with Christian worship band Prayznmor performing during the post-game skate.

As part of Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, while supplies last, all fans can buy hot dogs and boxes of popcorn at the DCC for one dollar each during the entire game. Again, as long as the concession stands don't run out of them, the arena will sell hot dogs and boxes of popcorn for one dollar each during the entire game on March 22nd without any limitations to individual fans. The evening will also feature a Miller Lite bottle koozie giveaway. Following the game, the RiverKings will auction off their Miller Lite warmup jerseys.

All three games will begin at 7:05 p.m. The broadcasts will start at 6:55 p.m. on Y 96.1 FM. After both home games, fans can head on over to T.G.I. Friday's on Goodman Road in Southaven.

WEEK REVIEW

Tuesday: Oklahoma City 5, RiverKings 4, shootout

Louis Dumont notched his 1,000th professional hockey point with an assist on Ryan Held's second-period shorthanded goal, but the Blazers defeated the RiverKings tonight in a shootout in Southaven.

Ryan Watson received credit for his 23rd goal on the campaign with the winner for the Blazers. Ryan Campbell had scored his 28th goal of the season with 1:56 remaining in regulation to tie the game for the RiverKings.

After Zach Pearson's fourth goal of the year on the power play with 3:21 to go in the first period gave the RiverKings a 1-0 lead, the Blazers scored three times to open the second period. Garrett Prosofsky netted his 20th of the season at 5:47, Alex Lalonde banged home his sixth of the year at 8:26, and D.J. Jelitto blasted his 24th at 10:32 to make it 3-1 Blazers.

Then while shorthanded, Dumont passed the puck to Held, who scored his 25th at 10:58 to make it a 3-2 game. The 3,007 fans in attendance gave Dumont a standing ovation following the announcement of his assist.

In the third period, Steve Makway scored on the power play at 1:14 for his 11th of the year to tie the game. Nevertheless, the Blazers regained the lead at 3:22 on a power play thanks to Peter Robertson's 10th goal of the season.

Sean Connors made 30 saves for the Blazers. Sebastien Centomo made 35 saves for the RiverKings. Each team had 13 power play opportunities.

Friday: Mississippi 5, Tulsa 2

The RiverKings scored three power play goals in the second period to defeat the Oilers in their final visit to the Tulsa Convention Center. With the win, the RiverKings set their longest unbeaten streak of the season at seven games (5-0-2).

The Oilers took a 1-0 lead 1:55 into the second period on Kai Magnussen's power play goal. The RiverKings, though, rallied midway though the period. Chad Woollard scored a 5-on-3 goal at 9:25 to tie the game. Derek Landmesser then notched his eighth goal of the season on the ensuing 5-on-4 to give the RiverKings a 2-1 lead.

With 6:24 remaining in the second, Woollard struck again on the power play. His 35th goal of the year gave the RiverKings a 3-1 lead. However, the Oilers got one back with 2:50 remaining in the period. Magnussen scored his second of the night and 18th of the year to make it a one-goal game.

Aaron Davis slammed home his 20th of the year 17 seconds into the third period. Ryan Campbell added his 29th at 7:54 to round out the scoring.

Sebastien Centomo made 25 saves for the RiverKings. Guy St. Vincent made 38 saves for the Oilers.

Saturday: Bossier-Shreveport 3, Mississippi 0

John DeCaro made 30 saves for his Central Hockey League-leading 11th shutout as the Mudbugs defeated the RiverKings at CenturyTel Center.

In the first period for the Mudbugs, Kevin Cooper scored his 25th goal of the season at 3:53 and Justin Aikins scored his 12th of the year at 14:34. Daniel Pegoraro scored his 12th of the season on a power play with 3:54 remaining in the period.

Sunday: Mississippi 4, Bossier-Shreveport 3, shootout

Ryan Held scored twice in the third period and Rane Carnegie scored in the seventh round of a shootout to lead the RiverKings over the Mudbugs at the DCC.

With the Mudbugs ahead 3-1 in the third period, Held deflected a Cody Blanshan point shot past Ken Carroll for his 26th goal of the season to pull the RiverKings within one. Then with two minutes remaining in regulation, Held cleaned up a rebound from a Derek Landmesser point shot to tie the game.

Following a scoreless overtime, Carnegie backhanded the puck over Carroll and into the roof of the net in the seventh round of the shootout. Jason Campbell shot next for the Mudbugs, but fired high and wide of Sebastien Centomo and the game ended.

After Rick Kozak scored his 23rd of the season 7:38 into the contest to give the RiverKings a 1-0 lead, the Mudbugs scored three times in the second period. Tyrel Lucas knocked home his 23rd at 2:19, Joe Ori potted home his 25th at 8:03, and Elias Godoy lit his 19th lamp on the campaign at 12:20.

Centomo stopped 23 shots for the RiverKings. Carroll made 34 saves for the Mudbugs.

STRANGE BUT TRUE FACTS

Yesterday, the RiverKings won a game for the first time all season when playing three games in as many days ..... Before Tuesday, Zach Pearson had not scored a goal since Jan. 11 against the Youngstown SteelHounds ..... Sheldon Wenzel accumulated 500 pro penalty minutes with a fight against Neil Poulsen on Saturday ..... The RiverKings have finished the regular season with a 16-14 record against the Northeast Division ..... The RiverKings gave up 20 shots in a period for the first time all season in Saturday's first period ..... Steve Makway on Tuesday set single-season career-highs with 11 goals, 32 assists and 43 points ..... Louis Dumont received a plaque commemorating his 1,000th pro point before yesterday's game ..... Friday marked the first times Ryan Campbell ever recorded four assists or five points in a game ..... Rick Kozak on Sunday scored for the first time since Feb. 21 against the Texas Brahmas ..... Chad Woollard recorded five points in a regular season game for the first time on Friday ..... Darrell Stoddard set a single-game career-high for penalty minutes on Friday with 17 ..... Cody Blanshan set a single-season career-high for assists yesterday with 16 ..... Ryan Held scored twice in a game for the sixth time this season yesterday ..... The RiverKings yesterday won on a Sunday for the first time this season ..... Ian Keserich made a team season-high 44 saves on Saturday ..... Sebastien Centomo played in his 250th pro game yesterday ..... The RiverKings now have a 4-1 shootout record this season ..... Brian Mullally played in his 100th pro game on Saturday.

PLAYOFFS?

With the RiverKings winning yesterday and the Rocky Mountain Rage losing 3-2 to the Tulsa Oilers, the RiverKings have the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northern Conference. The RiverKings have 76 points and the Rage has 75. Each team has three games remaining.

As with any other tiebreaker in hockey, the tied team with more wins than the other moves ahead. Should the RiverKings and Rage finish with identical records, however, the RiverKings would move ahead of the Rage because of a 2-0 win in their season series. The Rage will finish the regular season on a road trip. They will visit the Arizona Sundogs on Wednesday at 9:05 p.m., the Oilers at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, and the Mudbugs on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

If the RiverKings want that extra home game in the opening-round best-of-three series, then they will have to catch the SteelHounds. The SteelHounds have 77 points and sit in fourth place in the North. They will host the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Should the RiverKings and SteelHounds end with identical records, the RiverKings would move ahead because of a 6-5 season series win.

Since the Northwest Division champion will grab the #2 seed in the Northern Conference playoffs, the RiverKings can only reach third position. The Texas Brahmas have 80 points. So do the Eagles, who will likely win the Northwest. The Brahmas will play their final three games away from home, visiting the Wichita Thunder on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m., the Mudbugs at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, and the Austin Ice Bats on Saturday at 7:38 p.m. Should the RiverKings and Brahmas end with identical records, the RiverKings would move ahead because of a 4-3 season series win.

Depending on the teams, the amount of travel, and venue availability, the opening-round best-of-three series would likely start on Monday and conclude by Thursday.

GUITAR GIVEAWAY

You can save up to 53 percent off the box office ticket price by purchasing a 2008-2009 season ticket package. By purchasing or renewing season tickets for next year, you can also win a custom RiverKings Gibson Guitar. Only 10 of these guitars exist. Contact the RiverKings office at (662) 342-1755 or log on to www.riverkings.com to find out more about season tickets for next year and how you can win this guitar.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Come celebrate your birthday party at a RiverKings game! Birthday packages include tickets and RiverKings goodies for the birthday child and guests. Before the game, enjoy having cake with your birthday party in one of our special birthday party rooms located in the DeSoto Civic Center's banquet hall area.

GROUP OUTINGS

Schedule your next family, work, church, school, or team outing at a RiverKings game. Group tickets start as low as $7 per person for groups of 10 or more. Group leaders receive great benefits, including tickets to future games and entry into a contest for FREE airline tickets.

FUNDRAISING

The RiverKings Ticket Fundraising Program allows your non-profit organization to raise money by selling tickets to a RiverKings game. Your non-profit organization can raise up to $9 per ticket sold. It can sell tickets for any RiverKings home game this season.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2008


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