WINLESS STREAK ENDS IN WIN OVER WICHITA

SOUTHAVEN, MS --- Glenn Detulleo's second period goal became the eventual game-winner for the Mississippi RiverKings, who defeated the Wichita Thunder 4-2 in Central Hockey League (CHL) action on Sunday afternoon, Valentine's Day, in Southaven, Mississippi. 

The victory snapped a seven-game winless streak by the RiverKings, a skein not seen since a six-game winless streak in the 2007-08 season.

Mississippi took a 2-1 lead in the first period, but it didn’t happen until former RiverKing Anders Strome had opened the scoring with a power play goal at 2:54 into the contest for Wichita.

Ryan Held, the RiverKings’ leading scorer for the season, responded with a goal at 3:31, assisted by David Simoes and Darrell Stoddard.
Held’s 21st goal of the season tied the game at 1-1.

The RiverKings then took the lead over eight minutes later on Tyler Doherty’s first professional goal. Doherty, taking the feed from Glenn Detulleo on right wing, beat the Wichita goaltender with a clean wrist shot near the slot.  Nathan Schwartzbauer also assisted on the goal.
Wichita tied the game early in the third period when J.R. Bria scored his first goal of the season at 1:15 of the middle session, but the RiverKings again answered for a two-goal lead after forty minutes of play.

Detulleo beat the Wichita goaltender for his fourth goal of the year at 7:21. Schwartzbauer and newcomer Ken Davis earned assists on the goal from Detulleo.

For Davis, it was his first professional assist in his second pro game for the RiverKings. 

Mississippi added to the lead late in the second period on a shot from the right side by Stoddard, scoring his seventh marker of the year with 35 seconds remaining in the period.

Louis Dumont and Andrew Lackner assisted on Stoddard’s goal.

Mississippi then held the Thunder off the scoreboard in the third period to pick up the victory.

On the power play, the RiverKings failed to score in seven opportunities, while Wichita scored once in four power play chances.
Mississippi carried the offense with a 40-25 margin for shots on goal.

Tim Boron (2-5-2) won his first game in goal for the RiverKings, stopping his former Wichita teammates with a 23-save performance.

Ryan Campbell (6-16-1) took the loss in goal for the Thunder, despite making 36-saves.

With the win, Mississippi moved back into fourth place in the CHL Northern Conference standings with a record of 23-20-6 for 52 points,
one point ahead of fifth place Tulsa.

Wichita is last in the Northern Conference, now with a record of 8-34-4.