COOPER HEROICS LEAD RIVERKINGS PAST MAVERICKS

(Southaven, MS) --  Mississippi RiverKings forward Kevin Cooper scored two goals, including the game-winner with just ten seconds to play, as the RiverKings rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Missouri Mavericks in Southaven on Sunday afternoon. 

Cooper, who tied the game in the second period on a power play goal, notched the game-winner from the slot at 19:50 and the contest appearing to head for overtime. 

Missouri, which never trailed in the game until the final period, took a 1-0 lead into the dressing room after one period on a goal from Jeff MacDermid at 8:52. 

But, Cooper answered with his first red-lighter at the 6:25 mark of the second frame, on assists from Louis Dumont and Derek Landmesser  That tied the contest at 1-1 at the second intermission.

Missouri's Nick Sirota scored an unassisted power play goal to open the final period and give the Mavericks a 2-1 lead at 4:59 of the third period. 

That's when the rally started for the RiverKings, who scored the final three goals of the game.  Adam Smyth potted his second goal in as many contests from Matt Summers and Dane Marshall for a 2-2 tie at 10:52 of the final session. 

With time winding down in the final period, Cooper became the hero with his shot past Missouri goaltender Alexandre Vincent.  Bobby Chaumont and Dumont earned assists on the goal. 

Chaumont added an insurance empty-net goal just four seconds later for the final 4-2 outcome. 

Kevin Beech won his first start in goal for the RiverKings since coming off the injured reserve list from the beginning of the season.  Beech made 18 saves and allowed two goals.  Vincent took the loss with a 29-save effort. 

The RiverKings outshot the Mavericks in the contest by a 33-20 margin. 

With the win, the RiverKings improved their season record to 11-9-2 for 24 points.  Missouri fell to 8-10-1 for 17 points in the Northern Conference standings.