CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Rush Prevail Past RiverKings in Overtime

November 28, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Rapid City, SD) --- Mississippi's Matt Summers scored a pair of goals, but Rapid City's Luke Fritshaw also scored twice, including the game winner in overtime, as Rapid City held off the RiverKings 4-3 on Friday, November 27 in Rapid City.

Despite the loss, the RiverKings remained in third place in the Central Hockey League's Northern Conference, but by only a point over fourth place Rapid City.

Mississippi's Ryan Campbell opened the scoring in the second period with a power play goal at 2:35. The goal was Campbell's sixth of the season.

Scott Wray tied the game later in the second period, but Summers scored the first of his two goals at 11:20 of the middle session to give the RiverKings a 2-1 lead going into the third period.

Rapid City rebounded with Derek LeBlanc's power play goal at 3:07 to tie the game at 2-2, followed by Fritshaw's first goal of the evening at 9:55 for a 3-2 Rapid City lead.

However, Summers again tied the game and sent it into overtime with his second goal of the night and of the season at 13:19 of the final period, sending the game into bonus hockey.

But, off the faceoff, Rapid City attacked the net strong and the RiverKings couldn't clear the zone until Derek LeBlanc fed Fritshaw, who drilled a shot from the slot past Mississippi goalie Ian Keserich for the game-winning goal at 39 seconds.

Keserich suffered the loss for the first time in three starts for the RiverKings, stopping 27 of 31 shots. His record fell to 2-0-1.

Danny Battochio was the winning goalie for Rapid City, making 23 of 26 shots and saw his record rise to 5-3-1.

Rapid City outshot the RiverKings 31-26 for the game.

Mississippi scored once on the power play in eight tries, but couldn't score in five chances in the final period, including two 5-on-3 opportunities, Rapid City was 1-for-5 with the extra man.

With the loss, the RiverKings fell to 9-8-2 and saw a two-game winning streak stopped. Rapid City won for the third straight time and is now 9-6-1 for the season.

The same teams meet in a Saturday afternoon matinee in Rapid City at 3:05 PM Central. Mississippi returns home after the game to play host next Friday to the Colorado Eagles at 7:05 PM. Teddy Bear Toss Night will be one of the themes, with fans encouraged to toss teddy bears on the ice after the RiverKings' first goal.

The bears will be collected and donated to the Marines' "Toys for Tots" program.

For RiverKings ticket information, call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!



Central Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2009


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