
RiverKings Slip up in Louisiana
December 20, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss - The Louisiana IceGators (11-6-2) used a three-goal third period to squeeze past the Mississippi RIverKings (6-11-2), 4-2, Saturday at the Cajundome.
The RiverKings blitzed the IceGators early in the first, taking a 1-0 lead just 19 seconds into the game. Moments after the opening faceoff Leo Thomas was sprung free on a breakaway down the right wing. He cut towards the front and beat Marco De Filippo for the quick lead, reminiscent to when the RiverKings scored 26 seconds in Nov. 21 against De Filippo and the IceGators en route to a 7-2 win.
Things were different this time as the IceGators weathered the start and got through the first period down 1-0. Louisiana would tie the game in the second while the RiverKings were on the power play. After coming up short on a brief 5-on-3 the RiverKigns turned the puck over in the offensive zone. Chris Wilson scooped it up and raced down the ice for a shorthanded breakaway. He was hooked by Andrew Randazzo, earning a penalty shot which he scored on to tie the game at one.
With the game tied at one in the third the IceGators broke the tie at 6:55. Shawn McNeil floated a puck from the defensive zone up for Tyler Klein, who tracked it down at the left circle. He skated in unimpeded and snuck one past Adam Courchiane to give the IceGators a 2-1 lead. They made it 3-1 during a 4-on-4 situation immediately after the RiverKings nearly tied the game. On a counterattack Adam Stuart snapped a wrist shot from the high slot past Courchaine for a two-goal lead.
Just 22 seconds later the RiverKings pulled back within one when Devin Mantha scored unassisted. He took the puck to the left circle, spun off a defender, and sniped one past De Filippo, cutting the IceGators lead to 3-2. The comeback big fell short from there and the IceGators finished things off with an empty-net goal by Matt Viola.
The RiverKings are back home Tuesday, Dec. 23 for "Festivus" Night. The RiverKings celebrate the holiday "for the rest of us" and fans wearing a tacky sweater can buy one ticket and get one of equal value for free, available at the Landers Center Box Office. Single-game tickets can be purchased at riverkings.com/ticketmaster and groups of 15 or more get a discount, with group tickets starting at $8 per ticket, by calling the front office at 662-342-1755.
SPHL Stories from December 20, 2014
- RiverKings Slip up in Louisiana - Mississippi RiverKings
- IceGators Rally Late to Beat RiverKings - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen Battle for 4th Straight Win - Peoria Rivermen
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