OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Chad Hinz scored two goals, including the game winner, as the Oklahoma City Blazers defeated the Memphis RiverKings 5-4 in game six of the CHL playoffs first round Saturday night in Oklahoma City.  The Blazers’ win evens the best of seven series at three and forces a seventh and deciding game Tuesday night at the DeSoto Civic Center at 7:05.

Tyler McGregor scored twice and Ryan Held added two assists to lead the RiverKings.   

McGregor got the night started when he hustled after a Held dump in and slid the puck under Blazers goalie Sean Connors.  The Blazers would control the rest of the first period, out-shooting the RiverKings 17-7 and scoring a pair of power play goals.    

Oklahoma City took a 2-1 lead into the second period and increased the lead to 3-1 on Chad Hinz’ first goal :59 into the period.  Goals by Sheldon Wenzel at 6:05 and McGregor’s second of the night at 9:34 tied the game at three.  Gordon Bell came back 1:12 later to give the lead back to the Blazers.

The RiverKings tied it up on the power play early in the third period when Steve Makway backhanded a rebound in the Blazers’ net at 2:20.  Hinz’ second of the night, the lone Blazers’ goal not scored on the power play, with 4:04 left was the game winner.

Shots finished even at 39 for each team.  Connors picked up the win on 35 saves with Larry Sterling taking the loss after stopping 34.     

SERIES SCHEDULE/RESULTS

GM 1 - Thur, March 29        MEM 3 OKC 2 @ OKC                                      

GM 2 - Fri, March 30            OKC 5 MEM 2   @ MEM   

GM 3 - Sun, April 1              MEM 5 OKC 2 @ MEM                     

GM 4 - Tue, April 3              OKC 4 MEM 2  @ OKC   

GM 5 - Fri, April 6                MEM 4  OKC 2  

GM 6 - Sat, April 7               OKC 5 MEM 4   @ OKC (Series tied 3-3)

GM 7 - Tue, April 10            @ Memphis