The Memphis RiverKings have advanced to their first Northern Conference Finals since the 2002-2003 season, winning 3-2 in overtime Sunday for their third series victory at Bossier-Shreveports CenturyTel Center to close out their Northern Conference Semifinals series 4 games to 1. Darrell Stoddard was the overtime hero for Memphis, capitalizing on a turnover and ripping home the series winning goal 12:49 into overtime.
Game 5 Box Score: Memphis 3 @ Bossier-Shreveport 2 (OT)
Memphis Wins Series 4-1
A tightly contested Game 5 begin with strong defensive play by the Mudbugs, holding Memphis without a shot on goal until well past the midway point of the opening period. Memphis defenseman Steve Makway finally broke open the scoreless contest midway through the second frame, scoring his second goal of the post-season. Joe Ori responded for the Mudbugs later in the period, scoring his second of the playoffs at the 18:37 mark to send the clubs to the third period deadlocked. The RiverKings regained their one goal lead at the 1:49 mark of the third, with Mudbugs Captain Dan Wildfong chipping in his third of the playoffs at the 16:07 mark to tie the contest and send the game to overtime. Stoddards first of the playoffs couldnt have come at a better time for the RiverKings, beating Bossier-Shreveport goaltender Ken Carroll cleanly 12:49 in to end the series. The Mudbugs were unable to record a victory in three home games of the series at the CenturyTel Center, typically a house of horrors for visiting teams, only leading on home ice for a period of 12:55 in the first period of a 4-3 loss in Game 1. The RiverKings will face either the Colorado Eagles or the Oklahoma City Blazers in the Northern Conference Finals. Colorado currently leads their series 3 games to 2, with Game 6 Monday at Oklahoma Citys Ford Center and Game 7, if necessary, Wednesday at the Budweiser Events Center.
CHL Playoff Central; Scores, Recaps, Schedules
Watch Games Live on CHLTV.com
Join myCHLteam.com, the CHLs Social Network
Download CHL Photos To Your Phone