CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings, SteelHounds set for showdown

February 7, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


The playoffs are nearly two months away, but the Mississippi RiverKings and the Youngstown SteelHounds will play the biggest three games of their seasons this weekend.

The RiverKings sit in fifth place in the Northern Conference with 52 points. The SteelHounds have 54 points and the #3 seed in the conference. The top five teams in each conference will qualify for the postseason.

While the RiverKings have a seemingly safe seven-point lead over the Texas Brahmas for that last playoff spot, a sweep for one team this weekend could put the other in postseason trouble.

However, this three-game series has even more at stake. While the top three teams in each conference will automatically advance to the conference semifinals, the teams in fourth and fifth places will play a three-game series to determine who the top seed will play in that best-of-seven semifinal round.

If the season ended at this instant, then the SteelHounds would avoid having to play the Colorado Eagles in that mini-series. The Eagles have 53 points and hold the #4 seed in the Northern Conference over the RiverKings by one point. So not only would the RiverKings have to win two more games to get their shot at the Mudbugs in the playoffs, but they would also have to win one game - or possibly two - in Colorado since the Eagles would have home-ice advantage in that best-of-three.

Furthermore, this year's Central Hockey League playoff format has no mulligan. This time, if you lose a series, then your season ends without a chance at redemption. The RiverKings made the most of that second chance last year, but no one will have that luxury this year.

For the RiverKings, their final games against the SteelHounds this season will end a six-game road trip. The last time the RiverKings played a half-dozen straight games away from the DeSoto Civic Center, they lost every single one of them. This time, however, the RiverKings have benefited from the momentum they generated from their 5-1 win at home on Jan. 24 against the Oklahoma City Blazers, who now trail the RiverKings by eight points for the last Northern Conference postseason berth. At the time, that game in Southaven was the biggest game of the season.

But that was then. This is now.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

FRIDAY

SPORTS 56 WHBQ, 5:55 p.m.

SATURDAY

Y 96.1 FM, 5:55 p.m.

SUNDAY

SPORTS 56 WHBQ, 2:55 p.m.

PINK AT THE RINK

Next Friday, the RiverKings will host the Tulsa Oilers for Pink at the Rink. The RiverKings will wear pink jerseys and play on pink ice. The first thousand fans will receive a Pink at the Rink RiverKings T-shirt from the DeSoto Athletic Club. The pink jerseys will go to auction immediately following the game to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of breast cancer research. Two dollars from each ticket will also go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Meanwhile, Thompson Dunavant PLC of Memphis will sponsor Pink of the Rink next Friday. As part of their sponsorship, they will make a donation of $250 dollars to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Murphy & Sons, Inc. will also help sponsor Pink of the Rink by making a 100-dollar donation.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2008


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