CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Stoddard Four-Goal Final Period First in CHL in Nearly Five Years

Published on February 4, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Southaven, MS) -- When Mississippi RiverKings forward Darrell Stoddard scored four times in the third period of last night's 9-2 defeat of the Wichita Thunder, it marked a few firsts and also equalled an effort not seen in the Central Hockey League in nearly five years.

Stoddard's four goals in one period was the first time that event had occurred in a CHL game, since Chris Minard (then of San Angelo) scored four times in the second period of a 5-2 victory by the Saints over the Wichita Thunder on February 8th, 2004. Minard scored all five goals in that particular game, scoring once in the first, followed by four straight in the second period, including one power play goal.

The four goals by Stoddard in the third period last night included two red-lighters on the power play. The first goal came at 6:45 and made the score 5-1, Mississippi. After Wichita scored at 7:23, Stoddard broke through with two straight goals, one at 10:55 and the second (on the power play) at 12:51 for a 7-2 lead.

A RiverKings goal from Matt Pierce made it 8-2 before Stoddard finished the night with another power play goal at 14:42 for the final 9-2 score.

The performance was the first RiverKings hat-trick of the season and the first four-goal effort by a RiverKings player in a game this year. It also marked Stoddard's first multi-goal game of the year and third multi-point performance.

The four goals also doubled Stoddard's goal total for the year, as he now has eight goals and 15 points for the 2008-09 season. He had not scored since January 9th against the Tulsa Oilers.

The five-goal third period outburst helped the RiverKings to their highest goal total of the season in the 9-2 victory over the Thunder, the team's fourth of the year against Wichita (4-1-0).

Stoddard, a 5-11, 195-pound native of Red Deer, Alberta is in his fourth professional season, all in the Mid-South with the RiverKings. Stoddard has 45 career goals and 108 points, including 22 power play goals, one shorthanded, and five game-winners.

Mississippi is back on home ice Friday night, February 6th, when the RiverKings tangle with the Southwest Division-leading Odessa Jackalopes at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, beginning at 7:05 PM. Groups get a discount price on their tickets when ordered in advance through the RiverKings offices at 662-342-1755.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2009


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