CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings update

February 7, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


COMING UP

Wednesday, February 8 7:30

Memphis RiverKings (18-21-2, 38 pts, 2nd place NE) @ Austin Ice Bats (21-19-3, 45 pts, 2nd place SE)

Travis County Expo Center (7,000)

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: www.riverkings.com (Click "listen live")

Friday, February 3 7:05

Youngstown Steelhounds (15-25-2, 32 pts, tie 3rd place NE) @ Memphis RiverKings (18-21-2, 38 pts, 2nd place NE)

DeSoto Civic Center (8400)

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: www.riverkings.com (Click "listen live")

TV: chltv.com (pay per view)

Saturday, February 4 7:05

Odessa Jackaplopes (24-13-5, 53 pts, 1st SW) @ Memphis RiverKings (18-21-2, 38 pts, 2nd place NE)

DeSoto Civic Center (8400)

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: www.riverkings.com (Click "listen live")

TV: chltv.com (pay per view)

WEEK IN REVIEW (3 games / 3-0-0)

Wednesday, February 1 RiverKings 6 Youngstown 2 @ Youngstown

Taras Foremsky scored two goals and Derek Landmesser had four assists to lead the RiverKings to the win in front of over 5,500 Youngstown area schoolchildren on the power of a four goal second period. Don Parsons gave Memphis the early lead 3:46 into the game on a right wing drive for his team-high 21st of the season. The second period started with the 1-1 tie. But, when the horn sounded to end the period, the RiverKings had turned it into a 5-2 advantage. Chad McIver, Darrell Stoddard and Foremsky scored consecutive goals to make it 4-1. Youngstown cut the lead back to two at 12:31 of the period, only to have Foremsky strike again just 16 seconds later for his second of the game and his third since signing with the team on January 21. Former Steelhound Rob Ouimette put the finishing touches on the scoring with a tally at 9:37 of the final period. Landmesser, whose four assists were a season high, played in his 284th game with the RiverKings and moved past Dan Brown into the third spot on the RiverKings' All-Time Games Played List.

Friday, February 3 RiverKings 5 Youngstown 3 @ Youngstown

Don Parsons scored his fourth hat trick of the season as the RiverKings won back-to-back road games for the first time this season. After falling behind 1-0 on a Kelly Sickavish goal at 5:07 of the first period, Parsons tied the score off a feed from Travis Banga at 13:47 on the power play to tie the game at one. Memphis had just two power play chances while Youngstown went one for six. The first period ended with a 1-1 score. Jeff Christian's CHL leading 37th goal of the season, his first against the RiverKings, at 6:45 of the second gave the lead back to the Steelhounds. That lead lasted just eight seconds as Paul McBrien evened the score by taking the puck off the ensuing face-off from centerman Rob Ouimette and beating goalie St. Germain on the one-man break. Parsons' second goal of the night followed 1:21 later to give Memphis a lead they would not relinquish. The period ended with a 3-2 RiverKings advantage. In the third period, Taras Foremsky set up Parsons for his third goal of the game. After Youngstown's Mario Chinelli cut the lead back to one at 14:54, Ryan Watson scored just over three minutes later on a rebound of St. Germain's scissors leg save robbed Parsons of his fourth goal. RiverKings goalie Michael Dilorenzo improved to 8-4-1 on the season and 4-0 against the Steelhounds with 30 saves. Meanwhile, St. Germain fell to 1-8 in his career against Memphis with the loss.

Saturday, February 4 RiverKings 5 Youngstown 4 @ Youngstown

The RiverKings lost a third period lead only to get that lead back 48 seconds later to complete a 5-4 win and a three game sweep over the Youngstown Steelhounds. Don Parsons scored a pair of goals with Derek Landmesser, Travis Banga and Ryan Watson also tallying in the team's third straight win and their fifth in five tries against the Steelhounds. To say the least, the third period was interesting. With the RiverKings holding a 3-1 advantage entering the period, the Steelhounds scored three goals in a 2:58 stretch to take a 4-3 lead. Memphis then took advantage of a power play just 22 seconds later on Ryan Watson's backhand walk-in from the side of the net to tie it with Don Parsons scoring his second of the night and the game winner 26 seconds later. The five goals scored by the teams in the third period were scored in a span of 3:46.

PARSONS EARNS OAKLEY CHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD

The Central Hockey League announced on Monday that forward Don Parsons has been named the Oakley CHL Player of the Week. Parsons notched six goals and had two assists in the three straight wins last week at Youngstown including his fourth hat trick of the season Saturday night. The two-time CHL MVP has certainly caught fire as of late; scoring 11 of his 26 goals in the last six games. The hat trick on Saturday was his second in four games and the 36th of his professional career. Parsons, in his 14th pro season, leads the team with 26 goals and 55 points. This is the second weekly honor bestowed on a RiverKings player this season. Michael Dilorenzo was the Goalie of the Week for the week ending January 22.

HARRIS INJURED, NOT ON TRIP TO AUSTIN

RiverKings defenseman Kevin Harris suffered a separated shoulder in Saturday's game at Youngstown and did not make the trip with the team to Austin, TX. In 25 games since signing with Memphis, Harris has three goals and five assists.

RIVERKINGS HERE AND THERE

The RiverKings current three game winning streak matches their second longest of the season. The team won three straight from 11/17-11/19. Their longest winning streak was a four gamer from 12/20 to 12/30.

After Wednesday's game at Austin, the RiverKings will have played 42 games and will have 22 remaining; 12 at home and 10 on the road.

Travis Banga reached 100 career points with his assist on Ryan Watson's third period goal in Saturday night's win at Youngstown. Banga, in his second pro season, has 43 goals and 57 assists in 85 pro games. He has played all but three of his career games with Memphis with all of his points coming as a RiverKings forward. As a rookie last season, Banga had 24 goals and 35 assists in 41 games. He is the 29th player in RiverKings history to reach 100 points with the team.

After scoring 10 goals in the first 27 games this season, CHL Player of the Week Don Parsons has scored 16 in the last 14 to run his season total to a team-high 26. He has 11 goals in his last six games and 20 of his 26 have come in games where he has scored multiple goals. His two goals in Saturday's game give him 582 in his career and also tied him with Art Jones for eighth on the All-Time Minor-Pro Goals Scored List.

Forward Ryan Watson is currently on a career high seven-game point streak (3-9-12).

Parsons is also on a seven-game point streak (11-3-14).

Goalie Michael Dilorenzo's goals against average of 2.79 ranks him seventh in the CHL.

Forward Darrell Stoddard is fifth in the CHL in rookie goal scoring with 13 goals. He is fourth among rookies with eight power play goals.

Defenseman Derek Landmesser has taken over the top spot on the CHL's Defensive Scoring List with 52 points (10-42-52).

The RiverKings were out-shot in each of their three wins last week at Youngstown. The team is 9-11-2 in games that they have been out-shot; 8-8-0 when they have the edge in shots.

The win on Saturday was just the RiverKings' second of the season on a Saturday. They are now 2-10-1 in Saturday games. By comparison, their record on Fridays is 9-4-1.

RIVERKINGS IN THE COMMUNITY THIS WEEK

Monday, February 13...Players will be visiting Southaven Elementary School and Horn Lake Intermediate School.

Tuesday, February 14...Players will be visiting LeBonheur Children's Hospital.

Wednesday, February 15...Players will be visiting Olive Branch Elementary and Center Hill Elementary Schools.

ROAD TRIP PUTS KEVIN MCCLELLAND SHOW ON HIATUS

The Kevin McClelland Show on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560) will take a few weeks off as the team will be on the road until February 9. The show will return on February 14.

SCHEDULE REMINDERS

There are date changes for March that are not reflected on early versions of the RiverKings' schedule. On March 14, the RiverKings will host Bossier-Shreveport and on March 21, they will be at Bossier-Shreveport. For the most up-to-date and accurate game schedule, please go to www.riverkings.com .

CHECK OUT PHOTOS ON RIVERKINGS.COM

Fans are invited to check out the photo galleries on the RiverKings' website at www.riverkings.com . The photos are in the "Fanzone" drop down menu on the home page. Pictures from the 1/13 game versus Oklahoma City and recent community appearances have recently been posted.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS AND GIVEAWAYS

On Friday, February 10, the first 1,500 fans will get Ford key chains and the next night, February 11, the first 3,000 fans will receive Cellular South CheerStix.

Be sure to take advantage of 2 for 1 deals on Tuesdays: 2 for 1 gold level tickets, 2 for 1 hot dogs, 2 for 1 soft drinks and $2 draft beer. There are 2 for 1 gold level tickets for the Thursday, February 16 game,, too.

Don't forget to head to TGI Fridays on Goodman Road after every home game for the "Official RiverKings Post-Game Party."

You can hear all regular-season RiverKings games on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560).



Central Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2006


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