RiverKings hand SteelHounds 3-2 loss

DESOTO, Miss. — Ryan Held scored a goal and an assist, and Rick Kozak added a pair of helpers to lead the Mississippi RiverKings to a 3-2 victory over the Youngstown SteelHounds in a Central Hockey League game Friday night.

Eric Przepiorka and Mark Johnson scored goals for the SteelHounds, but the RiverKings scored three unanswered goals covering all three periods.

Przepiorka’s 17th goal of the season, at 7:13 of the first period, gave Youngstown a 1-0 lead. He was assisted by Kevin Jarman.

Louis Dumont answered for Mississippi 3:09 later, on assists from Kozak and Steve Makway.

Held gave the RiverKings a 2-1 lead at 10:23 of the second period on an unassisted, short-handed goal.

Zach Pearson made it 3-1 with 15:43 remaining in the game on a power play goal, assisted by Kozak and Held.

Johnson closed the scoring with 5:01 to go on an assist by Steve Birnstill.

Andy Franck took the loss in goal for the SteelHounds, in his first game since being recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League.

Franck made 31 saves.

Sebastien Centomo stopped 31 shots also to pick up the win.

Youngstown was whistled for 13 penalties to the RiverKings’ 12, but the SteelHounds were 0-for-6 on power plays. Mississippi was 1-for-8.

The teams play again tonight at 8:05.