SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Weekly Update

Published on March 17, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – The RiverKings capped a stellar week by winning four straight tough games and charging into the CHL Playoffs. The ‘Kings will be the number three seed in the post-season and will play the Northwest Division champion Oklahoma City Blazers in the first round. Game One will be this Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. For playoff tickets call (662) 342-1755 or go online at www.RiverKings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

RECORD:

64 GMS - 39-21-4

PLACE:

2nd Northeast Division (82 Points)

DIVISION RECORD:

18-10-1, Won 3

HOME:

25-6-1, Won 3

ROAD:

14-15-3, Won 1

W / L STREAK:

Won 4

LAST 10:

7-3-0

GOALS FOR:

235

GOALS ALLOWED:

190

POWER PLAY:

18.6 % (3rd)

PENALTY KILL:

84.6 % (6th)

NEXT UP

The RiverKings will play the Oklahoma City Blazers in the first round of the playoffs.

MEMPHIS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE

Date Time Location

3/22 – Saturday - Game One 7:05 p.m. Memphis

3/27 – Thursday - Game Two 7:35 p.m. Oklahoma City

3/28 – Friday - Game Three 7:35 p.m. Oklahoma City

*4/1 – Tuesday - Game Four 7:05 p.m. Memphis

*4/2 – Wednesday - Game Five 7:35 p.m. Oklahoma City

* Best of Five

VS. OKLAHOMA CITY

SEASON SERIES AND LAST MEETING – (3-4-0) The RiverKings beat the Blazers 4-3 in a shoot out on March 11th at the Ford Center. Derek Landmesser had a hat trick, including the game winner in the shoot out. Mark Richards stopped 31 of 34 shots in regulation and all five Blazers in the shoot out. The win was the first in four tries for the ‘Kings at the Ford Center.

LAST YEAR – The RiverKings went 3-2-0 versus Oklahoma City.

MEMPHIS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY RESULTS 2002-2003

11/14/02 Oklahoma City 3 at Memphis 4
11/19/02 Memphis 1 at Oklahoma City 4
12/13/02 Memphis 1 at Oklahoma City 6
01/31/03 Memphis 3 at Oklahoma City 5
02/16/03 Oklahoma City 2 at Memphis 3
03/07/03 Oklahoma City 7 at Memphis 2
03/11/03 Memphis 4 at Oklahoma City 3

NORTHERN CONFERENCE FINAL STANDINGS

TEAM PTS RECORD DIVISION

*1 - Indianapolis 87 39-16-9 NE – NE Division Title & Conference Title

*2 - Oklahoma City 81 37-20-7 NW – NW Division Title

3 - Memphis 82 39-21-4 NW

4 - Amarillo 80 39-23-2 NE

* Division winners are automatically seeded 1 and 2.

OTHER CHL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

Northern Conference

(1) Indy vs. (4) Amarillo

Southern Conference

(1) Austin vs. (4) New Mexico

(2) Odessa vs. (3) Laredo

2002-2003 RIVERKINGS TIDBITS

· The RiverKings fired a season high 53 shots on goal against Lubbock on December 14th. The ‘Kings had 21 in both the first and second, which matched a season high for shots in one period.

· The RiverKings held Fort Worth to just two shots in the third period in a 7-3 win on January 3rd. That matched a season low for shots allowed in a period and was the third time this year the ‘Kings held an opponent to two shots in a frame.

· The RiverKings 7-1 win in Tulsa on December 28th was the largest margin of victory in a game this year.

· The RiverKings 4-3 overtime win in El Paso on January 20th was their first sudden death victory since Michal Stastny scored in Game Five of the President's Cup Finals last spring against Austin.

· The ‘Kings lost 7-2 to Oklahoma City at the DCC on March 7th. The seven goals were the most allowed in a game this year.

· Memphis registered at least one power play goal in 47 of 64 games, including 23 multiple power-play goal games.

· 37 times in 64 games the ‘Kings have had a player score multiple goals. Don Parsons has done it nineteen times. Parsons, Kahlil Thomas and Derek Landmesser are the only ‘Kings to go on to post hat tricks, with Parsons tallying three hat tricks.

· The RiverKings were 6-2-0 in March. The team went 6-3-1 in February after going 6-4-1 in January and 8-5-1 in December. The ‘Kings were 9-4-1 in November and 3-3-0 in October.

· The ‘Kings scored 133 goals in the last 33 games of the regular season, an average of 4.0 per game over the stretch, and posted a 22-9-2 record for a win percentage of .596.

· Memphis finished the regular season 39-21-4 with 82 points and captured the third seed in the Northern Conference playoffs.

· RiverKings head coach Doug Shedden has now made the playoffs 10 straight seasons.

· Don Parsons won the Joe Burton Trophy signifying the CHL scoring championship with 106 points.

· The ‘Kings have won four straight games heading to the CHL playoffs, the longest win streak in the league coming into the playoffs.

RIVERKINGS POINT SCORING STREAKS

· Goal Streaks

Games Player Gls

· Point Streaks

Games Player Pts

4 Stastny 4

4 Tucker 4

2 Parsons 5

2 Thomas 2

BIRTHDAY BOY

· RiverKings forward Riley Cote celebrated his 21st birthday in style last night with a goal in the ‘Kings 6-3 win over Indianapolis.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAY BECOMING BIG

· In nine of the last sixteen games neither the RiverKings nor their opponents have enjoyed any special teams advantage, but the ‘Kings have gone 6-3-0. In the seven games in which there has been an edge in special teams play, the ‘Kings have gone 5-2-0.

CHILLY SCHEDULE

· The RiverKings played the Indianapolis Ice in four of five games starting on February 21st and concluding on March 1st. The ‘Kings wrapped up the regular season against the Ice on March 16th. Memphis and Indy played five times in the final thirteen games of the year. The ‘Kings went 4-1-0 during that stretch against the team that posted the best record in the Northern Conference.

FAST STARTING, SLOW FINISHING

· The ‘Kings scored 84 first period goals this season which was more than any other team in the CHL. On the flip side the ‘Kings have scored just 63 goals in the third period which was 8th out of 16 teams.

HOME SWEET HOME

· The RiverKings enjoyed home ice advantage this year. Memphis went 25-6-1 at home. The RiverKings outscored opponents 130-80, averaging 4.1 goals per game, at the DCC. After playing 21 of their first 32 games on the road the ‘Kings played 21 of their final 32 at home. Last year the ‘Kings posted a 27-2-3 record at home as they captured the first President's Cup in the franchise's history.

FEEL THE POWER

· The ‘Kings went 44 for their last 193 power play chances (22.7 %). Memphis tallied a power play goal in 27 of the last 35 games, including 14 of the last 18 games and four straight to close the season. In addition the RiverKings scored the most power play goals in the CHL with 77. Despite all the positives, the ‘Kings managed just one-multi power play goal game in the last nine games of the regular season.

INSIDE THE NE DIVISION

· The ‘Kings went 18-10-1 inside the Northeast Division this season against Fort Worth, Indianapolis and Bossier-Shreveport. Breaking it down even further, the RiverKings were 11-4-1 at home and 7-6-0 on the road in the division. The RiverKings' most wins in the division came against the rival Mudbugs with Memphis posting a 7-4-1 record. The ‘Kings were 7-5-0 versus Indianapolis and 4-1-0 against Fort Worth. Last year the RiverKings were 21-7-2 inside the division.

‘KINGS ARE HOT WHEN IT COUNTS

· The ‘Kings totaled 26 of the last 36 possible points to clinch a playoff berth in the Northern Conference and the third seed. In addition the RiverKings have the longest current win streak heading into the playoffs with four straight.

ALL-STAR OFF THE ICE

· Just Hockey magazine selected Memphis RiverKings forward Don Parsons as the Just Hockey Magazine Player of the Year as presented by In The Crease. Parsons is the inaugural winner of what will be an annual presentation by Just Hockey and In The Crease. The award is determined by both on and off ice aspects and carries a $500 prize that is donated to the charity of the player's choosing. Players across the country at all levels of minor league hockey spanning six leagues were considered for their on-ice performance and also for the impact that they have made in their local community through their charity work.

PARSONS MILESTONES

· On March 1st, Don Parsons scored his 50th goal of the season, it versus the Indianapolis Ice. Parsons has scored 50 goals in a season five times in his career, including three straight with Memphis. On March 7th, Parsons recorded his 100th point of the season in a game against Oklahoma City. It is the fourth time in his career he has reached 100 points. In addition Parsons captured the Joe Burton Trophy which signified the CHL scoring championship with 106 points. Parsons also set a new career high with 57 goals, eclipsing his previous high of 56 in 00-01 with Memphis.

OKLAHOMA BLAZING

· Twice this year the Blazers beat the ‘Kings by five goals. Oklahoma City won 6-1 on December 13th at the Ford Center and 7-2 at the DCC on March 7th. In addition the seven goals were the most allowed by the RiverKings in a game this year. Also the ‘Kings are 1-3-0 at the new Ford Center, but did win the last game 4-3 in a shootout on March 11th.

SHOOTOUT SUCCESS

· Memphis went 6-3 in shootouts. The last game that went to a shootout the ‘Kings won 4-3 in Oklahoma City on March 11th.

DIFFERENT KIND OF TRICK

· In the ‘Kings 4-3 shootout win on March 11th, in Oklahoma City defenseman Derek Landmesser tallied an unusual goal to complete his first hat trick of the year. Landmesser scored two goals in regulation and also had the only goal in the shootout, which registered as the game winner and completed the trick. It was just the third time in CHL history that a defenseman has a scored a hat trick against the Blazers.

HARLEY DAVIDSON JERSEY AUCTION IS A HUGE SUCCESS

· On March 15th the RiverKings wore special commemorative jerseys sponsored by Bumpus Harley Davidson of Memphis. After the game the jerseys were auctioned off with all profits benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Over $16,000 was raised, with Don Parsons' jersey going for $4,200.

SHEDDEN HITS A MILESTONE

· RiverKings head coach Doug Shedden reached a milestone on March 14th with the ‘Kings 1-0 win over New Mexico. It was the 450th win of Shedden's coaching career. Shedden began his career with Wichita in the CHL during the 92-93 season. Shedden has qualified for the playoffs 10 consecutive years.

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

· March 15th the RiverKings set a season low for shots allowed when they held Austin to 16 shots on goal in a 3-1 Memphis win. In the last three games Memphis allowed 61 shots total. The ‘Kings finished second in the league in shots allowed per game with an average of 29.13, Laredo allowed the least at 29.11 per.

PLAYOFF PARKING PASSES

RiverKings season ticket holders receive free parking during the playoffs. The parking pass for the regular season will be used for the post-season as well.

· 03/16/03 – SUNDAY – The RiverKings took apart the visiting Indianapolis Ice 6-3 in the final game of the regular season in front of 3,981 fans at the DeSoto Civic Center. Don Parsons had a four point night, including a pair of goals to set a new career high for lamps. With the win the ‘Kings clinch the number three seed in the Northern Conference playoffs and set up a first round match up with the Oklahoma City Blazers. FINAL SCORE Memphis 6, Indianapolis 3. Racine stopped 21 of 24 shots to improve to 22-9-3. Silver was beaten for six goals on 33 shots and fell to 29-12-4. Memphis and Indianapolis both were 1-1 on the man advantage.

Shots Memphis 33 Indianapolis 24

PP Memphis 1-1 Indianapolis 1-1

· 03/15/03 – SATURDAY – The RiverKings returned to the postseason for the third consecutive season by knocking off the Austin Ice Bats 3-1 thanks to goals from Luch Nasato, Michal Stastny, and A.J. Aitken. The ‘Kings are guaranteed a playoff spot with seeding in the Northern Conference still to be determined. FINAL SCORE Memphis 3, Austin 1. Richards 15 saves improved his record to 17-12-1. Peter Brady, getting the start in place of the CHL's Goaltender of the Year Matt Barnes, faced 31 shots from the ‘Kings and turned aside 28 to take the loss and drop to 13-4-0. The ‘Kings finished 2-4 on the power play while Austin went 1-2.

Shots Memphis 31 Austin 16

PP Memphis 2-4 Austin 1-2

· 03/14/03 – FRIDAY – The RiverKings with a 21 save shutout by Mark Richards a lone goal by Michal Stastny and a stellar penalty killing effort topped the New Mexico Scorpions 1-0. The ‘Kings have now won back-to-back games. FINAL SCORE Memphis 1, New Mexico 0. RiverKings penalty killers denied the Scorpions on all nine power play attempts, while Stastny's goal was the lone power play marker for the ‘Kings on three chances. Richards made 21 saves to improve to 16-12-1 and earn his fourth shutout of the season. Luciano Caravaggio made some stellar saves as he stopped 24 of 25 ‘Kings shots, but took the loss to fall to 23-16-2 as the Scorpions were shutout for the first time since February 14th.

Shots Memphis 25 New Mexico 21

PP Memphis 1-3 New Mexico 0-9

· 03/11/03 – TUESDAY – Powered by a Derek Landmesser hat trick the Memphis RiverKings beat the Oklahoma City Blazers 4-3 in a shootout in front of 6,788 fans at the Ford Center. The win was the ‘Kings first of the year at the Blazers new home in four tries. FINAL SCORE Memphis 4, Oklahoma City 3 in a shootout. Richards stopped all five shooters in the extra session and turned away 31 of 34 shots to improve to 15-12-1 and pick up his first win of the year against Oklahoma City. Boyd Ballard stopped 26 of 29, but took the loss to fall to 28-13-3. The Blazers out shot the ‘Kings 34-29.

Shots Memphis 29 Oklahoma City 34

PP Memphis 1-5 Oklahoma City 2-4

ON THE AIR

· All Memphis RiverKings playoff games will be broadcast this year on RiverKings Radio Easy AM-680 WJCE. Catch the pre-game show twenty minutes prior to face-off and then stay tuned for the play-by-play.

COACHES SHOW AIRING TUESDAY THIS WEEK ON LOCATION

· The Memphis RiverKings Coaches Show will air this Tuesday night from 6-7 p.m. on location at the Roadhouse Grill in Horn Lake on Sportsplus 790-AM WMC. Dave "wolo" Woloshin will host the show and head coach Doug Shedden will join him. Call the SportsPlus 790 studio lines with your questions at 901-274-7979.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE NOTES TIME

Tuesday, March 18th Regular Time 6-7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25th Regular Time 6-7 p.m.

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