Sports stats



CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings News And Notes

March 24, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


LAYOFFS BEGIN TONIGHT!

After a 64-game schedule that began on Oct. 19, the list of 17 clubs vying for the Central Hockey League's Ray Miron President's Cup has shrunk to 10. Of these 10, six have made the conference semfinal round. For the other four, they have to win two more games. Two of those teams play at the DeSoto Civic Center tonight.

The winner of this series between the Mississippi RiverKings and the Texas Brahmas will take on the Governor's Cup champion Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in a best-of-seven conference semifinal series. Unlike last season, though, if you lose any type of series at any time, then your season will end.

The Brahmas had a chance to avoid this situation. They only needed one point out of their last two games against the Mudbugs and the Austin Ice Bats to claim third position in the Northern Conference. However, the Mudbugs blasted them 7-1 on Friday and the Ice Bats beat them on Saturday 4-1.

As for the RiverKings, they went 9-1-2 in March. They did everything could in the face of adversity to get into the playoffs. Think back to what happened on Mar. 5 in Valley Center against the Wichita Thunder. That overtime penalty shot goal by Kyle Bruce looks gigantic now. If the RiverKings had won that game, then they would've gotten the #3 seed.

Tonight's game airs on Y96.1FM. The Brahmas host Game 2 on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. with Sports 56 WHBQ providing coverage. If necessary, then the teams will play a third contest on Thursday at NYTEX Sports Centre at 7:05 p.m. that will air on Y96.1FM. All broadcasts begin 10 minutes prior to game time.

WEEK REVIEW

Thursday: Mississippi 1, Oklahoma City 0

Ian Keserich made 33 saves for his first pro shutout as the RiverKings defeated the Blazers at the Ford Center.

Louis Dumont scored his 15th goal of the season with 4:44 remaining in the second period to give Keserich all the offense he needed.

Jason Wolfe made 24 saves for the Blazers.

Friday: Mississippi 6, Corpus Christi 2

The RiverKings qualified for the playoffs with a win over the Rayz at the DeSoto Civic Center.

In the first period, Darrell Stoddard scored his sixth goal of the season and Ryan Held scored his 28th to give the RiverKings an early 2-0 lead. Nicklas Lindberg netted his 14th of the year early in the second period to cut the RiverKings' lead in half, but Dumont restored the two-goal cushion with his 16th on the campaign.

The Rayz didn't quit in the second, as Jay Latulippe lit his 14th lamp of the year to make it 3-2. However, Aaron Davis scored on a power play for his 21st goal of the year to give the RiverKings a 4-2 lead after two.

Chad Woollard scored his 36th and Rick Kozak scored his 24th in the third period to reserve the RiverKings' seat on the playoff train.

Sebastien Centomo made 20 saves for the RiverKings. Brad Smith made 30 saves for the Rayz.

Saturday: Mississippi 6, Corpus Christi 1

For the second straight night, the RiverKings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Rane Carengie scored his 18th goal of the season 3:39 into the contest and Ryan Campbell banged home his 30th of the year at 7:10.

The Rayz responded quickly, however. Lindberg scored his 15th of the season at 8:59 to make it a 2-1 game. Like the previous night, the Rayz played the entire game with just 13 skaters.

The RiverKings broke the game open in the second period. On a power play, Woollard slammed home his 37th goal of the year at 2:37. Then Sheldon Wenzel lit his third lamp of the season at 3:41 to give the RiverKings a 4-1 lead after 40.

Held scored his 29th and 30th goals of the season in the third period as the RiverKings ended the season on a four-game winning streak.

Keserich made 32 saves for the RiverKings. Jason Tapp stopped 33 shots for the Rayz.

STRANGE BUT TRUE FACTS

With Saturday's win, Kevin McClelland won his 100th game as the RiverKings' head coach.....Ryan Held earned his 100th RiverKings point on Saturday with his second goal.....Cody Blanshan matched his best streak of three with an assist in each game from Mar. 16 to Mar. 21.....The RiverKings on Saturday won a third game in three nights for just the second time in seven tries this season.....All three of the RiverKings' wins against Southern Conference competition this year came against the Rayz.

KESERICH NAMED GOALIE OF THE WEEK

The league has named Ian Keserich its Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week based on his recent performance.

To say the least, Keserich has had a interesting rookie season that he began as a member of the Colorado Eagles. On Dec. 15, the 22-year-old from Parma, Ohio introduced himself to RiverKings fans through his fight with then-RiverKings netminder Adam Hanna at the end of the first period. The Eagles soon released him, but the RiverKings signed him after Sebastien Centomo and Kyle McNulty got hurt.

With the RiverKings this season, Keserich has a 13-7-1 record, a 2.64 GAA, and a .916 save percentage. Overall, he has a record of 15-9-3, a 2.95 GAA, and a .911 save percentage.

The Colorado Avalanche drafted Keserich in the seventh round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He went 26-13-5 record with the USHL's Tri-City Storm last year, compiling a GAA of 2.62 and a save percentage of .901.

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.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2008


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.

Other Recent Mississippi RiverKings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central