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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Top Rivermen in Shootout, 4-3

March 10, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - Derek Sutliffe gets the better of rookie goaltender, Mason Pulde in the overtime shootout to give the RiverKings their 23rd win of the season over the Rivermen, 4-3.

The RiverKings avenged last night's 4-2 loss to Peoria and were finally able the best Pulde after not scoring on the rookie keeper in the two previous games. Midway through the first period, Shane Bennett scored his second goal in two nights to open the scoring for either side. A shot from the point off the stick of Cody Walsh laid just north of the crease after being tangled in a string of bodies. Bennett found the puck and rifled a shot over Pulde's shoulder to give the RiverKings the 1-0 lead. The goal was scored moments after a Donald Olivieri hip-check drew the ire of Tommy Tsicos and started a brawl. Peoria struggled to respond in the first period, and the teams headed to the locker room with the RiverKings on top 1-0.

Minutes after the start of the second period, Rivermen point-leader Alec Hagaman, set up Cody Dion for the equalizing goal. Devin Mantha responded for the RiverKings and orchestrated the second goal of the game. Mantha found a cutting Derek Sutliffe who beat Mason Pulde for his eighth goal of the season and first since returning from the ECHL. With the assist, Mantha extended his point streak to 11 games. Throughout the contest, Peoria proved to be a resilient team, and Hagaman tied the game with just over six minutes to play in the second period. The goal was the 22nd tally of the season for the winger, which brings his point total to 53 on the season, good enough for top five in the SPHL scoring standings.

With neither team scoring on the power play in the game, Mantha broke the goal-less power-play streak in the third period. Mantha's power-play goal helped the RiverKings take a 3-2 lead and ensured the captain a multi-point night. As they had done all night, Peoria came storming back and would tie the game at three, thanks to Mike Gurtler. Peoria would tie the game on three separate occasions, and this time it was good enough to push the teams into overtime.

After a scoreless overtime, the RiverKings and Rivermen faced off in the shootout with both goaltenders competing in their first career shootouts. Jared Rutledge turned aside four of five Rivermen attempts while his offense, namely Bryan Arneson and Derek Sutliffe, beat Pulde to earn the RiverKings victory, 4-3 in the shootout.

The RiverKings take to the road for five consecutive games before returning to Planters Bank Ice at Landers Center on March 30 for another Fresh Friday. To get your tickets to Fresh Friday starting as low as $16 visit riverkings.com/fresh. All speciality ticket packages include exclusive RiverKings sunglasses, a hot dog, soda, and ticket to the game. You can also call the RiverKings ticket office at 662-342-1755 for more information.

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