CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Streak Stoppers Again, RiverKings Stop Mudbugs

December 26, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA --- The Mississippi RiverKings stopped the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs' six-game winning streak in a Central Hockey League contest at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana. The RiverKings had also stopped a ten-game skein of wins by Rapid City just over a week before Saturday night's conquest of the Mudbugs with a 4-3 win over the Rush on December 18 in Southaven.

The 3-1 victory by the RiverKings was its second straight win and completed a 2-1-0 road trip around Christmas that had Mississippi split a pair of games in south Texas before Christmas.

Following a scoreless first period, the RiverKings scored first when defenseman Andrew Lackner's slap shot from the left point found the back of the net at 3:01 for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Lackner's first goal of the season and came on assists from Matt Summers and Nathan Schwartzbauer.

Bossier-Shreveport answered twelve minutes later on a goal from Joe Ori, but the RiverKings took a 2-1 lead going into the third period on defenseman Derek Landmesser's drive from the right side with a little over a minute and half left in the period that found the net. Ryan Campbell and David Simoes received assists on Landmesser's goal, which would become the eventual game-winning goal.

That's because the RiverKings' defense tightened up in the final period, holding the Mudbugs to only five shots on net. They would score an insurance goal with just seconds remaining in the game, when defenseman Nathan Schwartzbauer came out of the penalty box, took a pass from Steve Makway, and stuffed home an empty-net, power play goal with five seconds remaining for the final score.

Mississippi dominated the offensive chances in the final two periods, outshooting Bossier-Shreveport 28-12 in the final forty minutes for a 32-20 shooting margin for the night.

Goaltender Kevin Beech (3-1-0) took the win with a 19-save performance, while Mudbugs' goalie Ken Carroll (6-5-0) made 29 saves in the losing effort.

The goal from Schwartzbauer was the only power play goal in the contest, as the RiverKings were 1-for-3 with the man advantage. Bossier-Shreveport was 0-for-2 on the power play.

With the victory, Mississippi moved into a tie for third place in the Northern Conference with a 14-12-2 record for 30 points. Bossier-Shreveport also has 30 points with a 15-11-0 record.

The win also stopped a team four-game losing streak to the Mudbugs and was its second win in the season series (2-4-1).

Mississippi returns to Southaven for a home game against the Missouri Mavericks on Tuesday, December 29, beginning at 7:05 PM. For ticket information, contact the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!



Central Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2009


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