SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Win OT Thriller to Extend Streak to Six

Published on March 17, 2013 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. -- It took extra time, but the Mississippi RiverKings (24-23-8) extended their winning streak to six games with a 3-2 overtime win over the Mississippi Surge (23-23-8) Sunday afternoon at the Landers Center.

For the second consecutive game, the 'Kings wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Matt Harrington beat Kiefer Smiley on a breakaway to put the RiverKings head 1-0 just 1:11 into the first period. The Surge tied the game four minutes later when Anthony Collins ripped a wrist shot off the post and past Matt Krahn to tie the game at one. But the 'Kings fought back. A tic-tac-toe passing play from Kevin Willer to Tom Craig on the power play landed on the tape of Darrell Stoddard in front of an open Surge net and the 'Kings captain made no mistake as he notched his 14th goal of the season to put the RiverKings ahead 2-1 heading into the first intermission.

After a scoreless second period, the Surge battled their way back into the game. After Krahn denied Joe Harcharik on a penalty shot 5:13 into the final frame, the Surge struck. Matt Gordon stuffed his own rebound past Krahn to tie the game at two at the 8:52 mark of the period to send the game to overtime.

The two teams exchanged chances in overtime, but with just seconds remaining Matt Harrington fed Matt Whitehead on a breakaway and Whitehead beat Smiley top shelf on a backhand to give the 'Kings their sixth straight win, 3-2 in overtime. The goal extended Whitehead's point streak to 15 games.

Matt Krahn (15-13-4) won his fifth straight, stopping 41 of 43 shots against. Kiefer Smiley (14-15-7) took the loss after turning aside 27 of 30 shots as the Surge dropped their fifth straight game.

The RiverKings wrap up their regular season schedule at home against the Knoxville Ice Bears on Saturday, March 23 at the Landers Center. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. with all the action airing live on the America One Sports Network. For more information on all things RiverKings, "like" us on Facebook (facebook.com/mississippiriverkings) and "follow" us on Twitter (twitter.com/riverkings).

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