CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Rally Twice to Tie, But Fall in Shootout

Published on October 20, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN --- The Youngstown Steelhounds spoiled the Memphis RiverKings' opening game of their 15 anniversary season with a 5-4 shootout win Friday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The two teams play again tomorrow night at 7:05 at the DCC. The first 1,000 fans 12 and under receive a Salt Solutions Youth Hockey Stick.

Youngstown's Sam Miller scored the only goal of the first period as the Steelhounds out-shot the RiverKings 9-3 in the opening period and 36-31 in the game. The beginning of the second period would see a flourish of goals and a see-saw of momentum. First, the Steelhounds expanded their lead to 3-0, taking advantage of a five-on-three power play and the ensuing five-on-four in the first 2:28 of the second.

The RiverKings responded with a series of three goals in 2:49 that would tie the game. In all, the teams combined for five goals in a span of 4:15. Scoring first for Memphis was Ryan Campbell on a break after sneaking behind the Youngstown defense. That was followed by a Travis Banga power play goal and Louis Dumont's first RiverKings and CHL goal.

With the game tied at three in the second period, the lights went out...literally. A bank of lights extinguished with just over six minutes remaining in the period. After the officials were informed of the possible length of the delay, they ordered both teams to the locker rooms for an early second intermission. The teams returned to a freshly resurfaced ice sheet to finish the second and then went into the third after a two minute break.

It was just :32 into the third period that 2005-06 CHL goal scoring leader Jeff Christian picked up his first of the season on the power play to make it 4-3. But, like they did in the second period, the RiverKings rallied. Jason Sessa, who like Dumont is playing his first game in the CHL, scored his first of the season at 4:53 to again even the score.

The game remained 4-4 through the remainder of the third period and the overtime with both teams at one time hitting the pipe or cross bar on their way to the shootout. Youngstown converted on two of their first four tries in the shootout while the RiverKings were kept out of the net by Jeremy Symington on four attempts. Defenseman Paul Esdale was credited with the game-winner.

Symington grabbed the win, stopping 27 of 31 Memphis shots while Larry Sterling took the loss in his RiverKings debut with 31 saves on 35 shots.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2006


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