Tulsa Oilers End Mississippi RiverKings Five-Game Winning Streak on Ice

The Central Hockey League's Mississippi RiverKings played the Tulsa Oilers last night at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., after coming off a brutal road schedule. After three games in three days and four games in the past five days, RiverKings brought a five-game winning streak to town, hoping to extend it to six.

But, not surprisingly, the team just seemed to be too tired.

Just one second into the game, RiverKings Adam Smyth and Tulsa's Thomas Harrison broke out a fight. Each player received a five-minute penalty for fighting major.

After 12:22 into the game, Tulsa's Jake Riddle scored the first goal of the night. It was a power play goal assisted by Travis Banga and Troy Riddle.  

At 16:33 into the first period, Tulsa managed to slid the puck past the Mississippi goaltender once again, and this time it was Tulsa's Riddle assisted by Aaron Davis and Derek Eastman.

Mississippi came back at 17:48 into the first period for their first goal of the game scored by Nathan Schwartzbauer and assisted by Ryan Held and Darrell Stoddard.

As the second period began, Mississippi fans were hoping for a comeback. But as Tulsa's Davis dunked in the Oilers third goal of the game just 2:16 into the second period, RiverKings fans began to panic.

They did again, when at 10:16 into the second, Tulsa scored. This time by Derek Merlini who was assisted by TJ Caig and Jeff Gumaer.

Mississippi scored their third goal of the game at 11:23 into the second period. The goal was scored by Stephen Margeson and assisted by Stoddard and Held.

But at 15:35 into the second period, Tulsa was allowed a penalty shot that was taken and scored  by Marty Standish, which put the score at 5-2.

And to make it worse for the RiverKings, just 5:08 into the third period, Tulsa's Gumaer scored assisted by Caig and Davis.

Mississippi followed up with a power play goal by Kevin Truelson assisted by Stoddard and Derek Landmesser 12:45 into the third period.

But then, 16:51 into the third period, Tulsa scored again. This time by Riddle and assisted by Davis.

The RiverKings are coming back to Mississippi to play at their home arena in Southaven, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 2.

And hopefully, after a few days rest, they will be able to get a much longer winning streak going.

Visit the Mississippi RiverKings official Web site or the fan site for more information.