The two-time defending Central Hockey League President's Cup Champion Memphis RiverKings were well represented Thursday evening in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, lacing up their skates for the St. John's Maple Leafs, the RiverKings' American Hockey League affiliate. St. John's defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 5-4 in overtime in an exhibition contest.
The Maple Leafs trailed in the third period, but goals by Robb Palahnuk, Jay Neal and Don Parsons forced overtime, with 2-time CHL Most Valuable player Parsons' goal coming with just 1:20 left in regulation and goaltender J.F. Racine (another of last year's RiverKings) pulled for an extra attacker. That goal set the stage for Maple Leafs defenseman David Turon's goal 1:56 into the extra frame.
Central Hockey League training camps get underway Monday, while most players are arriving in their various cities today for pre-season physicals and fitness testing. The CHL pre-season begins October 9th, with the Oklahoma City Blazers visiting the Wichita Thunder, and the Laredo Bucks playing the New Mexico Scorpions in Corpus Christi, where New Mexico is holding training camp.
2003-2004 CHL Pre-Season Schedule
Thursday, October 9
Oklahoma City Blazers @ Wichita Thunder
Laredo Bucks @ New Mexico Scorpions (in Corpus Christi)
Friday, October 10
Odessa Jackalopes @ San Angelo Saints
Wichita Thunder @ Tulsa Oilers
Amarillo Gorillas @ Lubbock Cotton Kings
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees @ Corpus Christi Rayz
Oklahoma City Blazers @ Colorado Eagles
Saturday, October 11
Tulsa Oilers @ Wichita Thunder
San Angelo Saints @ Odessa Jackalopes
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees @ Laredo Bucks
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs @ Fort Worth Brahmas (in Arlington)
New Mexico Scorpions @ Corpus Christi Rayz
Oklahoma City Blazers @ Colorado Eagles
Sunday, October 12
Laredo Bucks @ Austin Ice Bats
Monday, October 13
Indianapolis Ice @ Missouri (UHL) (In Wentzville, MO)
Tuesday, October 14
Lubbock Cotton Kings @ Amarillo Gorillas