CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings weekly news and notes

March 8, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW (3 games / 2-0-1)

Friday, March 3 RiverKings 3 Youngstown 2 SO @ DCC

Ryan Campbell scored two goals and Derek Landmesser had the game winner in the shootout as Memphis snapped a 10 game winless streak. Campbell scored power play and short handed goals in the second period to give Memphis a 2-1 lead only to have Chris Richards tie the game shortly thereafter. After a scoreless third period and overtime, Memphis took a 2-1 edge in the shootout through the first four rounds on conversions from Dorian Anneck and Darrell Stoddard with Joey Sewell collecting the lone Youngstown score. Steelhounds center Daryl Lloyd then tied it at two to start the fifth round, setting the stage for Landmesser's game-winner. The RiverKings outshot Youngstown 48-33 for the game. Guy St. Vincent picked up his first win since January 13, making 31 saves on 33 shots in regulation and the overtime and also stopped three in the shootout including the league's goal scoring leader Jeff Christian. St. Germain took the loss on a 45 save effort.

Saturday, March 4 RiverKings 8 Youngstown 6 @ DCC

Rookie Brad Wanchulak collected a hat trick, helping his new team to an 8-6 win. It was the recently signed Wanchulak's third game with the RiverKings and his first career hat trick. He had just one professional goal entering the game. Travis Banga scored the game winning goal in a strong third period for the club and added three assists. Memphis (20-30-3) picked up its second straight win while the Steelhounds (20-32-5) had their winless streak extended to seven games. Memphis rallied from a pair of two goal deficits and trailed 6-5 entering the third. The third period belonged to the RiverKings; scoring three times while goalie Guy St. Vincent kept Youngstown off the board for the second consecutive third period. Derek Landmesser assisted on three RiverKings goals and in the process eclipsed last season's career high 66 points. St Vincent made it back to back wins on 24 saves. The shots for the game were even at 30 apiece.

Sunday, March 5 Oklahoma City 5 RiverKings 4 OT @ OKC

The visiting RiverKings rallied from a 4-1 score entering the third period, but lost 5-4 in overtime. Travis Banga, Derek Landmesser and Brad Wanchulak scored third period goals to force the overtime. Peter Robertson also added a first period goal as the RiverKings claimed five of the possible six points in the three games over the weekend. Trailing 4-1 entering the third, Memphis took advantage of a five minute major and game misconduct to Jason Goulet for spearing Derek Landmesser. Banga scored an even-strength unassisted four on four goal at 4:21 to get the comeback started. Landmesser sent one in from the top of the right circle 3:08 later on the power play to make it 4-3. Wanchulak then completed the comeback at 18:40 as he found a Banga rebound and flipped it over goalie Sean Conners. In the overtime, the RiverKings, who outshot the Blazers 41-39 for the game, had a 6-4 shots advantage, but it was the Blazers' Marty Standish who found the net with just :24 remaining giving the Blazers the win and the two points. The game was the 100th meeting between the two teams.

(Note: Following the game, the Memphis goal that was originally credited to Wanchulak at 7:29 of the third was credited to Landmesser.)

CHL ANNOUNCES "BEST OF THE BEST" POLL RESULTS

The results of the 2005-2006 Central Hockey League ‘Best of the Best' Poll are in. Each of the CHL's 15 member teams, players and management staff were polled and asked to identify their top three selections for each of 40 separate categories.

The RiverKings were listed three times. Defenseman Derek Landmesser, who leads the league in defensive scoring with 70 points, was recognized as the Best Offensive Defenseman. He also finished third in the Best Body Checker category. The RiverKings' game operations received acknowledgement in the Best Arena Music category; finishing third. Complete poll results can be seen at the CHL's website at www.centralhockeyleague.com.

RADIO BROADCAST CHANGES FOR UPCOMING GAMES

Due to Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament coverage on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560), this Friday's RiverKings game with Oklahoma City will be carried in its entirety on WYYL (96.1 FM). The game will also be joined in progress on Sports 56 WHBQ following the conclusion of their coverage of Conference USA Basketball. The Saturday game with Youngstown will be back on WHBQ. Also, next Thursday's game at Corpus Christi will be on 96.1 FM only due to a conflict with NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament coverage on WHBQ.

RIVERKINGS HERE AND THERE

Defenseman Peter Robertson is on career high 10 game assist and point streaks. He has three goals and 13 assists in that span. Robertson has established career highs in assists (41) and points (48) already this season. He surpassed his career points mark with a goal and assist in Sunday's OTL at Oklahoma City. His previous high was 47 while with Oklahoma City in 2001-02.

Derek Landmesser played in his 600th professional game on 3/3 versus Youngstown. He also has at least a point in seven straight games with five goals and 11 assists during the streak. He also has scored a goal in four of the last five games.

The RiverKings have scored 14 power play goals in the last seven games on 51 opportunities (27.5%).

The win on Saturday night was just the third this season for the RiverKings on a Saturday. Their record is 3-13-1 on Saturdays. By comparison the team's record in Friday games is 10-6-2.

The RiverKings were the last team to have a game go to a shootout before Friday's 3-2 shootout win over Youngstown. Prior to Friday, the last shootout game for Memphis was 12/11 at Oklahoma City.

After not having won a game when trailing after the first period all season, the RiverKings did it twice over the weekend; the team trailed 1-0 after the first period before defeating Youngstown in a shootout 3-2 on Friday and then trailed the Steelhounds 3-2 after one on their way to an 8-6 win on Saturday. The RiverKings are 2-17-2 when trailing after the first period this season.

Rookie Brad Wanchulak's hat trick in Saturday's game was the team's sixth of the season. Don Parsons has four with Ryan Campbell claiming the other. The 2004-2005 RiverKings finished with a total of six hat tricks.

The recently signed Wanchulak was a teammate of Darrell Stoddard in juniors with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL in 2000-2001 when the team won the Canadian Junior A National Championship, the Royal Bank Cup.

Travis Banga's three assists on Saturday night matched his career high for assists in a game. He also had three assists in a 5-1 win over Amarillo last season on 3/17.

The Wichita Thunder's 3-2 win over Tulsa Saturday night eliminated the RiverKings from playoff contention.

RIVERKINGS IN THE COMMUNITY THIS WEEK

Wednesday, March 8...Players will be visiting Jackson Elementary School

Wednesday evening, March 8...Players will be making their regularly scheduled visit to the Ronald McDonald House

Thursday, March 9...Players will be visiting SBEC in Southaven

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.

TWO FOR ONE NIGHTS AND OTHER UPCOMING PROMOTIONS AND GIVEAWAYS

This Friday, March 10, the first 1,500 fans will receive a RiverKings poster courtesy of Mercury Printing and 1910 Frameworks. The Saturday, March 11 game is Loma Ladies Night with the first 1,000 ladies receiving free Loma Hair Care and Beauty products. The Tuesday, March 14 game is a "Two for One Tuesday" with two for one gold level tickets, two for one hot dogs, two for one soft drinks and two dollar draft beer. The games on 3/10 and 3/11 will be followed by post game skates. The 3/11 post game skate will also include all the players.

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.

For single-game tickets, call TicketMaster at 901-525-1515, go to ticketmaster.com or stop by the DeSoto Civic Center box office during business hours.

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).

COMING UP

Friday, March 10 7:05

Oklahoma City Blazers (33-21-3, 69 pts, 2nd place NW) @ Memphis RiverKings (20-30-4, 44 pts, 3rd place NE)

Promotion: First 1,500 fans receive a RiverKings Poster compliments of Mercury Printing and 1910 Frameworks

DeSoto Civic Center (8400)

Radio: Entire game will be on WYYL (96.1 FM) / joined in progress on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: riverkings.com (Click "Listen Live")

TV: chltv.com (pay per view)

Saturday, March 11 7:05

Youngstown Steelhounds (20-32-5, 45 pts, 2nd place NE) @ Memphis RiverKings (20-30-4, 39 pts, 3rd place NE)

Promotion: Loma Ladies Night. First 1,000 ladies receive free Loma hair care and beauty products.

DeSoto Civic Center (8400)

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: riverkings.com (Click "Listen Live")

TV: chltv.com (pay per view)

Tuesday, March 14 7:05

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (34-13-7, 75 pts, 1st place NE) @ Memphis RiverKings (20-30-4, 39 pts, 3rd place NE)

Promotion: Two for One Tuesday. Two for one gold level tickets, two for one hot dogs, two for one soft drinks, $2 draft beer.

DeSoto Civic Center (8400)

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: riverkings.com (Click "Listen Live")

TV: chltv.com (pay per view)



Central Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2006


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