For Immediate Release:
February 25, 2017
RAIL YARD DAWGS DETHRONE RIVERKINGS, 4-2
Massimo Lamacchia and Mike Moroso each record two-point games
SOUTHAVEN, MS – James Kruger made 37 saves on 39 shots, Mike Moroso and Massimo Lamacchia each recorded a goal and an assist as the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs dropped the Mississippi RiverKings, 4-2, Saturday night at the Landers Center.
Mississippi got on the board first in the opening period while working on the power play. Brant Sherwood fed Ryan Marcuz who snapped a pass to Devin Mantha at the back post. Mantha chipped the puck past a lunging Kruger for a 1-0 RiverKings lead.
The Rail Yard Dawgs tied it up late in the opening period. Lamacchia fed Moroso streaking down the wing for a snap shot on net. The puck trickled behind Peter Di Salvo and rolled over the goal line to tie the game at one.
Roanoke took the lead for good early in the second. Jackson Brewer worked the puck into the corner, spun, and threw on the breaks. He fired a pass into the slot for Daniel Vernace who ripped a one-timer past Di Salvo, putting the Dawgs on top, 2-1.
The Dawgs found breathing room early in the third period. With the puck tied up along the right wing boards, it was kicked free and Moroso poked it to Lamacchia between the circles. Lamacchia gathered the puck and blistered a wrister past Di Salvo to extend the Roanoke advantage to 3-1.
Mississippi managed to cut into the lead late in the third period while the Dawgs worked on a power play. Mantha took a pass at center ice and was sprung for a breakaway. Kruger blocked his initial shot with a pad save but Mantha picked up the rebound and slung it into the net for a shorthanded goal, cutting the Roanoke lead to 3-2.
With 1:35 to play in the third period, Jeremy Beirnes was called for a delay of game penalty and the RiverKings pulled Di Salvo for an extra attacker. As Mississippi worked 6-on-4, Phil Tesoriero gained possession for Roanoke and found Phil Bronner at center ice. From just over the red line, Bronner fired a puck into the empty net to extend the advantage to 4-2 and cement the Roanoke victory.
Brewer picked up an assist and now has points in eight of his last nine games and Moroso and Lamacchia each tallied a goal and an assist. Lamacchia’s two points gave him his team-leading 11th multi-point game of the season.
Roanoke’s victory snapped a four-game winless streak and improved its record to 14-21-6. The RiverKings fell to 24-17-2 with the loss.
The Rail Yard Dawgs will return to action on Tuesday night against the Fayetteville FireAntz. Puck drop at Fayetteville’s Crown Coliseum is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
2017-18 Rail Yard Dawgs season tickets are on sale now! Seats can be reserved by visiting the Rail Yard Dawgs office inside of the Berglund Center or over the phone at 540-344-3294.
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