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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Reach CHL Playoffs With 6-5 Win Over Texas

March 18, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Mississippi RiverKings forward Chris Richards scored his 900th career professional point, Andrew Lackner scored a pair of goals, and Darrell Stoddard notched a three-point night as part of a 6-5 RiverKings victory over the Texas Brahmas on Friday, March 18th at Southaven's DeSoto Civic Center.

The victory, coupled with Laredo's loss at Rapid City Friday night, qualified the RiverKings for the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs, set to begin shortly after the end of the regular season, which will be Sunday, March 25th at Wichita for the RiverKings.

In the first period, Brahmas' forward Chad Woollard opened the scoring with a goal for a 1-0 Texas lead at exactly four minutes of the period, assisted by Jason Hogeboom.

Mississippi tied the game on a power play deflection scored by Matt Boyd, his sixth goal of the season at 5:58, assisted by Richards and Derek Landmesser.

Texas took the lead back at 9:14 when Hogeboom scored an unassisted goal for his 34th red-lighter of the year for a 2-1 Brahmas' lead.

But, the RiverKings came back with a blast from inside the blue line by R.G. Flath, his 16th marker of the year, assisted by Tyler Sheldrake and Chris Auger at 12:54 for a 2-2 first intermission tie.

In the second period, Stoddard started the scoring for the RiverKings with his 11th goal of the season, a power play goal, assisted by Russell Smith and Louis Dumont at 9:46, giving Mississippi a 3-2 lead.

Mississippi quickly added to the lead 39 seconds later when Lackner scored his first of the night and fifth of the year from Stoddard and Dumont at 10:23 for a 4-2 lead.

Texas answered with a goal from Tyler Allen, his 14th of the year, from Derek Matheson and Mick Lawrence at 13:07 for a 4-3 Mississippi lead.

But, the RiverKings again answered with a goal from Richards, his 19th of the season, aided by Matt Summers at 14:10 of the second period for a 5-3 second intermission score. It was that goal that gave Richards his 900th career pro point, 823 of which have come in the Central Hockey League.

The Brahmas opened the third period scoring with an unassisted shorthanded goal from Alex Curran at 9:05, but Lackner's second goal of the night, this one on the power just 39 seconds later at 9:44, would be the eventual game-winning goal and gave the RiverKings a 6-4 advantage.

On the power play and with a vacant net, Lawrence finished up the scoring for Texas with his 19th goal, assisted by Jason Deitsch and Dylan Stanley with 1:07 remaining.

Mississippi finished 3-for-5 on the power play, while Texas was 1-for-5 with the man advantage. Texas out shot the RiverKings 32-26 for the contest, as Alexander Pechurskiy won his 15th of the season (15-12-2) with a 27-save performance. Steve Christie (1-1-0) took the loss in relief of Texas starting goaltender Wayne Savage, making eight saves, but allowing three goals, including the game-winner by Lackner.

Of note from last night, forward Mario Mjelleli played his first game for the RiverKings Friday night, as he began his pro career after wrapping up a four-year collegiate career this season at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The RiverKings and Brahmas return to the DeSoto Civic Center ice tomorrow for game two of the weekend series, beginning at 7:05 PM. It's Fan Appreciation Night with "tons" of giveaways! A post-game skate will follow the contest.

For RiverKings ticket information, call 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!

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