CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Stop Rapid City Streak

December 18, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings stopped the Rapid City Rush ten-game winning streak on Friday, December 18th with a 4-3 victory at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven.

RiverKings' forward Matt Pierce scored the game-winning goal with about four and a half minutes remaining in the final period to give the home team a 4-2 lead at the time. Blaine Jarvis got the Rush within a goal with a little over three minutes remaining, but the Rush could get no further in the contest.

Rapid City took the early lead on a power play goal from Derek LeBlanc, but the RiverKings answered with a power play goal of its own from Derek Landmesser at the 7:48 mark of the first for a 1-1 tie.

Mississippi took a one-goal lead later in the first period when Kevin Cooper's backhander found the back of the net at 12:26 for a 2-1 advantage. Jon Pelle tied the game with a goal at 12:59 and the contest was knotted up at two goals each after twenty minutes of play.

RiverKings' forward Louis Dumont scored the game's only goal in the second period just over ten minutes into the session for a 3-2 lead after two, setting up Pierce for his game-winning heroics in the final frame.

For the contest, Mississippi outshot the Rush by a 28-18 margin. Both teams scored once on the power play.

Ian Keserich (3-0-1) was the winning goaltender for the RiverKings with a 14-save performance in two periods of work, replacing starting goalie Kevin Beech at the start of the second period.

Keserich had just returned to the roster earlier in the afternoon from the injured reserve. Ray Jean was placed on injured reserve with Keserich returning to the active roster.

Rush goalie Miguel Beaudry (7-4-0) took the loss, allowing three goals, including the game-winner, after starter Danny Battochio was replaced by Beaudry following an injury to Battochio in the first period. Beaudry made 14 saves in the losing cause.

Mississippi remains tied for fourth place in the CHL Northern Conference with a 12-11-2 mark prior to a Sunday night matchup at Rio Grande Valley. Rapid City is now 16-7-1 in second place in the CHL Northern Conference.

The next RiverKings home game is Tuesday, December 29th against the Missouri Mavericks in Southaven. For RiverKings' ticket information, call 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!



Central Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2009


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