RiverKings Raise 2002 CHL Presidents Cup.
The Memphis RiverKings Earned Their First Franchise Championship

.

The Memphis RiverKings are the Central Hockey League's President's Cup Champions.  The squad hoisted up the hardware after a dramatic 5-4 overtime win over the Austin Ice Bats in Game 5.

Michal Stastny's cup-winning goal 5:48 into the first overtime period clinched the 4-1 series win for Memphis.  The victory sent the hometown crowd of 4,720 into a frenzied celebration.  The loss sent the Ice Bats back to Austin wondering what could have been.

Despite the series ending in five games, the Ice Bats provided an excellent challenge for Memphis.  The RiverKings four finals wins came by a combined five goals, including an empty-netter in Game 3.

Ultimately, Memphis came through time and time again at crucial moments in the series.  The team truly earned, and deserve their first ever franchise championship.

CHL President Brad Treliving and CHL Commissioner N. Thomas Berry presented RiverKings Captain Don Parsons both the playoff Most Valuable Player award, and the President's Cup, recognizing CHL founding father Ray Miron.