CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Rally Past OKC For First

Published on January 11, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Oklahoma City, OK ) -- The Mississippi RiverKings scored twice in the final 3:18 of the game, including Jeff Nelson's goal with 42 seconds remaining, to beat the Oklahoma City Blazers 2-1 at the Ford Center Sunday evening. With the win, the RiverKings head to the CHL All-Star break leading the Northeast Division by one point over the Blazers.

The first period went scoreless with the RiverKings outshooting the Blazers by an 11-5 margin. Mississippi also killed off three power play chances in the first period.

Oklahoma City broke through in the second period with a tip-in goal from Justin Sawyer, who deflected a shot from Chad Hinz at 12:58 for a 1-0 Blazers' lead. Oklahoma City dominated in the offense in the second period with a 19-6 edge in shots on goal.

There was no further scoring until Matt Pierce wristed a pass from Nelson into the net for a 1-1 tie at 16:42 of the third period of play. That set up Nelson's heroics with assists from Matt Summers and Pierce at 19:18 for the final result.

Neither team scored on the power play and the RiverKings were out shot by a 31-27 margin. Kevin Beech earned the victory in the crease for Mississippi with a 30-save effort, while Doug Groenestege took the loss for the Blazers with a 25-save performance.

Mississippi is 23-12-0 with a three-game winning streak after Sunday's contest, while Oklahoma City falls to 20-10-5 with the loss. The RiverKings are 5-2-0 in the series against the Blazers.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2009


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