RiverKings Lose to Youngstown at Home

Last night's hockey game at the DeSoto Civic Center demonstrated how two completely different games can be played just a day apart.  Friday night's win over the Mudbugs marked the beginning of this hockey season for RiverKings fans with a win over rivals at home.  It was a good night.  Not necessarily a spectacular game, but a win.  Like most hockey fans, I'll take a boring win over an exciting loss any day.  Unfortunately, this weekend I was treated to both. 

While a few tempers flared Friday night, and there was some mouthing off, it was a pretty tame night for those fans that love a good fight.  Fans around me were expecting fights since the RiverKings and the Mudbugs are such bitter rivals.  And if there were any fighting fans who were disappointed Friday, they got their moneys worth last night. There were four fights, and 111 penalty minutes.  This was definitely not a boring game.  And while I'm not a big fan of the fights, I do believe that sometimes a little pushing can be necessary in a hockey game to keep opponents in line, or to defend a teammate. 

Even though the game was far from dull, it wasn't what I was hoping for.  The RiverKings came out strong, scoring first early into the first period with a power play goal from Derek Landmesser.  But they didn't hold onto the lead for very long.  Youngstown came back with two goals in the first, and then another in the second.  The RiverKings managed to tie things back up at 3 - 3 by the end of the second, but in the end it really came down to the fact that the Steelhounds were taking advantage of all the power plays, and the RiverKings weren't. 

The last two minutes of that very long game were the most exciting.  We were on our feet screaming for a goal. The RiverKings were on a power play, and it looked like we had a shot at scoring, and taking it to overtime.  Coach McClelland pulled Sterling out of the net to give the RiverKings two man advantage, but it wasn't enough.  Youngstown won, and we left the DCC hoping that this wasn't an omen.  The last few seasons us regular RiverKings fans have seen some real ups and downs.  I hope this isn't going to be another one of those seasons where we are left scratching our heads about how such talented players can't get it together.  I guess we'll have to wait and see. 

The RiverKings aren't at home again until the 30th.  Next week they'll play in Bossier-Shreveport against the Mudbugs again.  I'm looking forward to listening to our new radio man, Nikolai Busko, call this game.  I'm sure it will be interesting.