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Blazers Finish Week 2-1-0

February 24, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City skated in three games again last week, posting two wins. Oklahoma City pasted the San Angelo Saints 9-2 at home on February 21. February 22, the Blazers won a tight 4-3 game over the Laredo Bucks. February 23, Oklahoma City lost to the Fort Worth Brahmas in Fort Worth. The Blazers is now 32-18-3, with 67 points and in first place in the Northwest Division of the CHL, two points behind Tulsa.

AN OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION - The Blazers weren't kind hosts to the San Angelo Saints on February 21. Oklahoma City exploded for a 9-2 victory. Dave Shields led the way for Oklahoma City, posting five points (3-2-5), including the first hat trick of the season for Oklahoma City. Blair Manning had four assists. Six players posted a +4 on the night. Goaltender Boyd Ballard stopped 22 of 24 shots for the win.

A DANDY AGAINST LAREDO - Oklahoma City skated against the Laredo Bucks for the first and only time this regular season on February 22 and came away with a 4-3 victory. Peter Arvanitis paced the Blazers with two goals, including the game winner. Hardy Sauter had two assists. Goaltender Boyd Ballard stopped 24 of 27 shots for the win in net.

BRAHMAS SURPRISE BLAZERS - Oklahoma City completed its weekend on the road in Fort Worth and came away with a 4-3 loss. Blair Manning paced the Blazers with two assists, while Peter Arvanitis, Ryan Watson and Marty Standish scored goals. Goaltender Ghyslain Rousseau stopped 13 of 17 shots in the defeat. The loss was the Blazers first to the Brahmas this season.

BLAZERS BACK ON TOP IN ATTENDANCE RACE- The Oklahoma City Blazers are back on top of all North American minor professional hockey teams in attendance. With crowds of 9,869 on February 21 and 12,982 on February 22, the Blazers have pushed its season attendance to 8,860. That is 13 fans per game ahead of the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League who are averaging 8,847. Oklahoma City has been the top drawing franchise in North American minor professional hockey in each of the last two seasons.

FIRST GAMES IN OKC - Oklahoma City has skated against 28 different teams at home since the re-birth of the CHL in 1992. In those first games for teams in Oklahoma City, the Blazers are 20-5-3 including the victories over the weekend over San Angelo and Laredo. The wins were the Blazers first against a team making its first appearance in Oklahoma City since a victory over the Lubbock Cotton Kings early in the 2001-02 season.

SHILEDS WITH FIRST BLAZERS FORD CENTER HAT TRICK - Dave Shields wrote his name in the Blazers history books last night with his second career hat trick and five-point night. He registered the first hat trick of the season for the Blazers and the first at the Ford Center in 26 home games. Prior to Shield's three-bagger at home, the only other hat trick was scored by former Blazer Jared Dumba of the Indianapolis Ice on New Year's Day. The hat trick was Shields' second and his five-point night was also his second. After scoring four goals in his first 30 games, Shields has come on strong, picking up 11 in his last 21 contests.

PENALTY KILLERS STRUGGLE LAST WEEKEND - Over the weekend, the Blazers allowed nine goals to the team's three opponents. Seven of the nine goals were scored on the power play. Looking back further, the Blazers have allowed a power-play goal in nine straight games and have slipped from 84.4 percent on the penalty kill to 82.5. Oklahoma City has allowed 56 power-play goals, the fifth highest total in the league.

NORTHERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF UPDATE - The Blazers are right in the thick of the playoff race in the Northern Conference. Six of the eight teams in the conference are still eligible for the four postseason positions in the Northern Conference. Oklahoma City is currently in first place in the Northwest Division with 67 points. Tulsa has 67 points but has skated in one more game than Oklahoma City. Right behind both squads is Amarillo, just two points behind at 65 points. Amarillo has one game in hand on Oklahoma City and two on Tulsa. In the Northeast Division, the Indianapolis Ice is in control of first place with 77 points. Memphis is in second with 67 and Shreveport with 65 points. If the playoffs started today based on winning percentage, Tulsa and Shreveport would be the odd teams out of the playoffs. Stay tuned.

OU NIGHT WITH THE BLAZERS - Thursday, February 27, the Blazers will wear special crimson and crème jerseys with the OU interlocking logo on the crest. The special jerseys will be auctioned off on the internet at www.okcblazers.com/auction with the proceeds to benefit the Oklahoma City and Norman public schools.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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