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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings return to winning ways with 3-2 victory over Blazers

March 9, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- Ryan Campbell factored in on all three goals, finishing with a goal and two assists, as the Memphis RiverKings ended a five game winless streak with a 3-2 victory over the Oklahoma City Blazers Friday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The crowd of 4,195 saw the RiverKings pick up their 35th win of the season and send the Blazers to their third straight defeat. The RiverKings will be back on the ice tomorrow night when they host the Youngstown Steelhounds at 7:05.

The line of Campbell, Travis Banga and Darrell Stoddard weighed heavily in the outcome of the game as those players accounted for all three RiverKings goals. Banga finished with the game-winner and also added an assist.

Stoddard started the night when he accepted a nice gift from Campbell. Campbell took the puck down the left wing on a rush into the offensive zone. As he shot, he drew Blazers netminder Sebastien Centomo out of the crease. As he made the sliding save, the puck deflected into the vacated crease. Stoddard then put the puck in the open net for his 13th goal of the season and for a 1-0 lead at 5:46 of the first period.

After the first period ended at 1-0, the RiverKings wasted no time in making it 2-0 in the second. This time it was Campbell who received a nice gift, a pinpoint Banga feed on a two on one. Campbell directed the pass past Centomo for his 25th of the season 29 seconds into the period.

The Blazers' Dallas Flaman scored at 10:13 to put his team on the board and cut the RiverKings lead in half after two.

Banga's game clincher was a power play tally assisted by Campbell and Phil Aucoin at 6:58 of the final stanza. It was Banga's 23rd of the season. The Blazers cut the lead back to one, less than three minutes later as Marty Standish scored short-handed.

Larry Sterling, who stopped 29 of 31 shots, made several key saves down the stretch to preserve the win. The win was Sterling's league leading 28th. That win total also passes Scott Brower and Mark Richards for the franchise record for single season goalie victories.

Shots were even for the game at 31 apiece. Centomo took the loss with 28 saves.

For tomorrow night's game, the first 1,500 fans will get a Hockey Mr. Potato Head sponsored by CW-30. Also tomorrow night, Military personnel with Military ID can purchase a ticket for just $5 at the box office, anyone who brings a nonperishable item to send to our troops overseas will also be able to purchase a ticket for $5; and all fans will be given a coupon after the game that will allow them to purchase a ticket for just $2 to the March 20 game.

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A RiverKings game is even more fun when you come as a group. Groups of 10 or more save up to 30% on the box office rate, plus every person in the group receives a player mini bobblehead. Call 662-342-1755 for more information.

RiverKings Single-Game Tickets for all 2006-2007 home games are on sale now at the DeSoto Civic Center box office and at all TicketMaster locations and at ticketmaster.com.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Saturday, March 10-First 1500 fans get a Hockey Mr. Potato Head sponsored by CW-30.

After every RiverKings home game, the party heads to the new Buffalo Wild Wings on Airways in Southaven, the official Post Game Hang-Out of the RiverKings.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2007


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.

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