OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla – Home miserable home is the theme of this playoff series as the Oklahoma City Blazers took a 5-4 win out of Southhaven, Mississippi. The Blazers win was the fourth by a road team in the series, which continued a trend from the regular season between these two clubs.
It was an elimination game effort wasted for the RiverKings who were stymied by Doug Groenestege’s 43 saves and a four-point effort from Bill Vandermeer. The two teams fought through an even first period and then the Blazers found the margin of victory with three consecutive goals. Mississippi fought back late in the game but fell one goal short.
Bill Vandermeer was a force with the man advantage as he picked up two goals and an assist during Blazers power plays. Vandermeer’s goals were hard shots which Mississippi’s Kevin Beech could not contain.
The RiverKings actually led early when Bobby Chaumont scored the first of his two goals on the evening when he leaked a puck past Groenestege. DJ Jelitto pulled the Blazers even when his hard shot found the back of the net. The score led to the Blazers first lead of the night when Bill Vandermeer knocked in his first goal. Chaumont sent the teams to their respective dressing rooms even when he potted a rebound of Jeff Alcombrack’s shot.
Oklahoma City would take the lead for good on goals from Brian Passmore and the two Vandermeers. Passmore broke the first period tie when he knocked home Bill Vandermeer’s rebound and Bill would put the club up by tie with his second score of the game. Ted Vandermeer beat Beech on a breakaway goal to give the Blazers the insurance–though no one knew it at the time–they would need to win.
Mississippi tried to get back in the game with goals from Louis Dumont and Matt Summers, but ultimately the RiverKings fell short of their goal to eliminate the Blazers.
With the win Oklahoma City will host a game six on Monday night at the Ford Center. The Blazers played without captain Tyler Fleck in game five due to illness, but he is expected to be back for game six.
Contact tom.schettino@prohockeynews.com.
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