Austin @ Lubbock Preview

Published on December 28, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

Austin Ice Bats (21-5-1) @ Lubbock Cotton Kings (13-10-4) DATE: 12/28/02 TIME: 7:05 pm LOCATION: Lubbock Municipal Coliseum

LETS SEE WHAT THE BEST HAS TO OFFER

Tonight, the Austin Ice Bats make their lone visit of the season to Lubbock to battle the conference rival Cotton Kings. Both teams are wrapping up a three-games-in-three-nights set as the Cotton Kings are 1-1-0 in their previous two games and Austin is coming off a two game winning streak with two consecutive wins over the Corpus Christi Rayz, which was part of a three game series with the Rayz. Lubbock is seeking to break a one game winless streak and extend a home winning streak to two games. Austin, currently with a 21-5-1 record (79.6%), has the best record in the CHL.

THE SERIES

The Cotton Kings and Ice Bats battle for the second time this season and the 11th time during the regular season all-time tonight. Lubbock leads the all-time series 6-3-1, with former ‘Kings forward Kyle Reeves leading the ‘Kings all-time against the ‘Bats with 8 goals and 2 assists for 10 points in 7 games. Jan Melichercik leads the ‘Kings among active series leaders with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 6 games against Austin. Austin's Dan Price is the series' all-time leading scorer with 7 goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Austin leads this season's series 1-0-0, with forward Kelly Smart leading all series scorers with 3 points (all goals). Blaz Emersic leads the season series in scoring for Lubbock with 2 goals. THE LAST MEETING

Kelly Smart was the man in the spotlight as he scored his second career hat trick in a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over Lubbock on October 25th. He hit for the cycle, scoring on the power play, even strength, and shorthanded for the game-winner. Smart scored first, tapping home a power play rebound with just 11 seconds left in the first period. And just after the Bats killed a Lubbock power play in period two, Smart tossed one in from the point. Lubbock's Blaz Emersic scored twice to even the count, tying the game on a rebound just 50 seconds into the third period. With 40 seconds left in regulation, Ice Bats forward Shawn Legault was called for roughing, with the penalty extending into overtime. But 40 seconds into OT, Smart intercepted a pass deflected off a skate at the Lubbock blue line, and raced in alone to score the game-winner. In addition to Smart's heroics, the story of the game was the Ice Bats penalty-killing unit, which stopped all 10 Lubbock power play chances.

ROSTER CHANGES

Lubbock is without goaltender Neil Savary (knee) and defensemen Craig Binns (knee) and Derek Holland (knee), who each remain on the injured reserve list. The ‘Kings are also without Dave MacIntyre, who is awaiting a reevaluation on Monday after taking a puck to the face against Odessa. The Ice Bats are without Mike Gaffney, who received a call-up today to the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL. With his absence, the Ice Bats have signed forward free agent Ryan Rivard.

STANDINGS

‘Kings - 30 points, 2nd place, 12 points back, Southwest Division. ‘Bats – 43 points, 1st place, Southeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

‘Kings – Blaz Emersic 30 points; Derek Gauthier / Blaz Emersic 10 goals; Blaz Emersic 20 assists; Dave Ambler 96 penalty minutes. ‘Bats – Kelly Smart 29 points; Kelly Smart 14 goals; Kelly Smart 15 assists; Shawn Legault 104 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

‘Kings – Power play: 11.8% (19/161), 13th, Penalty killing: 83.1% (123/148) 10th. ‘Bats – 14.4% (19/132), 10th, Penalty killing: 90.5% (153/169) 1st.

GOALTENDERS

‘Kings – Mike Brusseau (12-9-3, 3 SO, 2.68), Jure Penko (1-1-1, 0 SO, 3.75). ‘Bats – Matt Barnes (18-4-1, 5 SO, 1.52), Peter Brady (3-1-0, 0 SO, 2.76)

WHAT'S NEXT Lubbock – Tuesday, December 31 5:05 PM vs New Mexico Scorpions Lubbock Municipal Coliseum

Austin – Tuesday, December 31 8:00 PM @ Laredo Bucks Laredo Entertainment Center

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2002


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