SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Sweep Homestand, Defeat Mudbugs, 5-3

Published on November 2, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss – The two-time defending CHL champion Memphis RiverKings finished their 3 game home stand strong Saturday night, beating division rival Bossier-Shreveport 5-3 at the DeSoto Civic Center. A crowd of 3,671 enthusiastic fans weathered an early delay of almost an hour as Kings improve their record to 6-1 for the season.

RiverKings assistant captain Jay Neal, already with a goal on the night, fired home the game-winner at the 16:07 mark of the third period past Mudbugs goaltender Ken Carroll. Neal's goal, his second on the night, was the RiverKings second power play goal of the evening, and was part of a three-goal third period that saw the RiverKings come back from a 3-2 deficit.

The RiverKings came out of the gates with a flourish, netting two goals in the first period, including a shorthanded goal by center Alexander Mathieu, the team's first shorthanded effort of the season. Neal's power play goal at the 12:18 mark gave Memphis an early 2-0 lead.

But the Mudbugs, who fell to the RiverKings the previous night in a 2-1 defensive slugfest, were quick to respond. Assistant captain Forbes MacPherson put a power play goal past Memphis goaltender Nathan Grobins with under a minute to go in the first period to draw Bossier-Shreveport back within one.

The Mudbugs followed up that goal by scoring two more in short order at the start of the second period, as forwards Craig Soke and Chad Spurr beat Grobins and the RiverKings defense to claim a 3-2 lead.

The RiverKings tied up the game on a well-executed play to start the third period, as captain Don Parsons garnered his fourth goal of the season on a one-timer from the left side.

Memphis put the game out of reach with thirty seconds remaining, as Mathieu scored again, this time on an empty net as the Mudbugs had pulled goaltender Carroll for an extra attacker.

The end of the game was marred by a series of fights, starting with the play immediately following Mathieu's empty netter. Three players on each side fought in rapid succession and were given major penalties before the game concluded.

Grobins, in his third start for the RiverKings, stopped 25 of 28 shots to secure the victory for his team. Carroll lost for the second straight night in Southaven, stopping 20 of 24 shots.

The win moved the RiverKings a full seven points up on Bossier-Shreveport in the Northeast division, and gave Memphis a 6-1-0 record on the campaign.

The RiverKings will be in action this Tuesday night, as they travel to Fort Worth to take on the Brahmas, another divisional foe, at 7:30 pm CST. Memphis's next home tilt will be against Oklahoma City on Thursday, November 6 at 7:05 pm.

All 64 RiverKings games can be heard on Easy 680 AM, as well as worldwide via SportsJuice.com. Select RiverKings games will also be available through CHL TV, a league-wide video streaming enterprise. CHL TV is available at www.CHLTV.com. Information on the RiverKings, including the latest roster moves, press releases, and pictures, is available at www.riverkings.com.

Season, group, and individual game tickets are available. For more information, telephone (662) 342-1755.

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