Sports stats



Blazers Weekly

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


BLAZERS FINISH WEEK 1-1-0 – Oklahoma City played two games last week, both against the Wichita Thunder. Thursday, November 20, the Blazers lost 3-2 in regulation at home. Saturday, November 22, the Blazers defeated the Thunder 3-2 in a shootout in Wichita. The Blazers are 8-8-1, with 17 points and in third place in the Northwest Division of the CHL.

BLAZERS V. THUNDER ROUND 1 – Oklahoma City met Wichita for just the first time this season on November 20 in Oklahoma City. All scoring was done in the first period. Ryan Campbell and Bryan Forslund each scored power-play goals to pace Oklahoma City. Tyler Deis, Anders Strome and Darryl Green each had two points (1-1-2) for Wichita. Boyd Ballard came on in relief of Sean Connors and didn't allow a goal. Newly acquired Thunder goaltender Nathan Grobins stopped 31 of 33 shots for this third straight win over Oklahoma City.

BLAZERS V. THUNDER ROUND 2 – Oklahoma City and Wichita met again on November 22 in a modified home-and-home series for the two teams. Oklahoma City appeared to have a 2-1 victory locked up on power-play goals by Marty Standish and Peter Arvanitis. However, Thunder d-man Darryl Green scored with one-tenth of a second remaining in the game to tie the score at two. After a scoreless overtime, Bryan Forslund scored the game-winner in the shotout to give the Blazers the 3-2 win. Boyd Ballard stopped 22 of 24 shots for the win.

BALLARD COMING ON STRONG – Blazers goaltender Boyd Ballard has come on strong and is playing well despite a 4-5-0 record. Ballard has a 2.45 goals against average and .919 saves percentage. In his last four appearances, he has a 1.07 goals against average and .961 saves percentage. His record at home is outstanding. He has a 1.75 goals against average to go along with his .943 saves percentage.

BALLARD DOUBLES SHOOTOUT WIN TOTAL– Boyd Ballard's shootout victory over the Wichita Thunder on November 22 doubled his shootout win total from last season. Last season, Ballard was 1-4 in shootouts. This season, he is 2-0.

NEAR THE BOTTOM AT HOME, AT THE TOP ON THE ROAD – The Blazers penalty killing crew is in an interesting spot statistically in the CHL. The Blazers are ranked ninth overall at 84.9 percent (62-for-73) and have allowed just 11 power-play goals this season. At home, the team is ranked 16th at 76.5 percent and has allowed eight power-play goals in 34 chances. On the road, the Blazers are ranked 1st at 92.3 percent and have allowed only three power-play goals in 39 chances.

ALL POWER-PLAY GOALS RECENTLY –The Oklahoma City Blazers power-play unit has been the goal-scoring blood for the Blazers over the last five games. Not counting shootout game-winning goals, the Blazers last seven goals have all come with the man advantage. The last even strength goal came in the third period of the Blazers 7-6 shootout loss at Tulsa on November 7.

BLAZERS WIN 11 OF LAST 12 IN WICHITA – The Blazers 3-2 shootout win in Wichita on November 22 was the teams' 11th victory in its last 12 trips to Wichita. The only loss in the last 12 games at the Kansas Coliseum was an 8-2 loss on December 7, 2002. That snapped the Blazers eight-game winning streak in Wichita.

RIGHTING THE SHIP A MUST ON FRIDAY – The Oklahoma City Blazers will look to avoid a franchise first on November 28. The Blazers will head into the team's home game against Wichita next Friday riding a three-game home losing streak. Including this string, the Blazers have lost three straight at home only two other times in franchise history, but have never lost four-in-a-row in Oklahoma City.

SHEPPARD NABS 100TH ASSIST– Blazers forward Doug Sheppard's assist on November 22 was a milestone in his career. That "apple" was his 100th of his professional career. Sheppard currently leads the Blazers in scoring with 17 points (7-10-17) and is 20th among all CHL players.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 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.

Other Recent Oklahoma City Blazers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central