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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Weekly Update

March 24, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – The RiverKings captured Game One of their best of five first round playoff series against Oklahoma City on Saturday night by the score of 7-5. The scene now shifts to the Ford Center in Oklahoma City this Thursday and Friday for Games Two and Three. If necessary, Game Four will be played back at the DeSoto Civic Center on Tuesday, April 1st. For playoff tickets and information call (662) 342-1755 for tickets or go online to www.riverkings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

MEMPHIS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE

Date Time Location Result

3/22 – Saturday - Game One 7:05 p.m. Memphis 7-5 Memphis (Series 1-0 ‘Kings)

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

* If necessary

GAME ONE

· 03/22/03 – SATURDAY – The RiverKings defeated the Oklahoma City Blazers in what was a playoff game in name only as red light bulbs nearly blew out due to a 7-5 ‘Kings victory. The RiverKings take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series as Game Two shifts to the Ford Center in Oklahoma City this Thursday night. If necessary, Game Four of the series will be back at the DeSoto Civic Center on Tuesday, April 1st. The Blazers started on the ‘Kings early. Blair Manning one-handed a shot that trickled through the legs of RiverKings goalie Mark Richards just 31 seconds into the game. Just over a minute later the Blazers struck again when Hardy Sauter threw a shot off the skate of Jay Neal at 1:56 on the power play for a quick 2-0 Blazers lead. After that tough start Memphis was able to regroup. Defenseman Luch Nasato launched a shot that deflected off a Blazers defenseman in front of the net on a RiverKings power play at 6:23. Robb Palahnuk then converted an Oklahoma City turnover at 7:11 with a wrist shot to tie the game. Finally Brian Tucker gunned home a shorthanded bid by Blazers goalie Boyd Ballard at 12:02 to give the ‘Kings the lead. In the second period the Blazers tied it when Hardy Sauter slipped a perfect pass rink-wide that Peter Arvanitis redirected past Richards at 6:05. It tied the game at three, but from there the ‘Kings re-opened the scoring flood gates. Jonathan Gagnon roofed a 5-on-3 power play goal over the blocker of Ballard at 13:24. Just less than four minutes later, a wraparound attempt from Kahlil Thomas was deemed a goal at 17:00. Thomas had deked down Ballard on the right side of the net, then curled to the left side and attempted to slip a shot along the ice to give the ‘Kings a two-goal lead. Ballard appeared to have gloved the shot along the goal line, but a quick conference with the goal judge awarded Thomas the marker to put the ‘Kings ahead two heading into the final frame. Mark Richards made the lead stand up towards the end of the second when he denied Blazers' sniper Joe Burton on a breakaway as he closed up the five-hole on Burton's attempt with 1:13 to go in the second. The third period found no mercy for either netminder as the red light rampage continued. Marty Standish fired a sharp angle shot in at 4:29 which was answered by Luch Nasato's second goal of the game at 6:45. Nasato's was then answered by Blair Manning's second at 16:44. Gagnon finished the goal fest and clinched the win at 17:02 on a slip-in shot at the top of the crease. FINAL SCORE Memphis 7, Oklahoma City 5. Ballard was lit up for seven goals on 23 shots, while Richards turned aside just 21 of 26 shots. The teams shared a combined 17 power plays. The ‘Kings were successful on 3-8 power play attempts while the Blazers converted just 1-9.

Series Standing – 1-0 Memphis

OTHER CHL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

Northern Conference

(1) Indianapolis vs. (4) Amarillo (Series 2-0 Indianapolis)

Southern Conference

(1) Austin vs. (4) New Mexico (Series 1-1)

(2) Odessa vs. (3) Laredo (Series 1-1)

VS. OKLAHOMA CITY REGULAR SEASON

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 REGULAR SEASON 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

‘KINGS PRACTICE SCHEDULE

· The RiverKings will practice at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The team will depart for Oklahoma City at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

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. The show will air thru the entirety of the playoffs. Call the SportsPlus 790 studio lines with your questions at 901-274-7979.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE NOTES TIME

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

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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