Blazers Weekly

December 1, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


BLAZERS FINISH WEEK 3-0-1 – Oklahoma City played four games last week, and posted a 3-0-1 record. Tuesday, the Blazers defeated the Bossier-Shreveport MudBugs 5-3 in Shreveport. Thanksgiving night, the Blazers defeated the Indianapolis Ice 5-4 in Indy. Friday, November 28, the Blazers defeated the Wichita Thunder 3-2 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City rounded out the week with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Odessa Jackalopes on November 29. The Blazers are 11-8-2, with 24 points and in second place in the Northwest Division of the CHL.

BLAZERS BEAT BUGZ – Oklahoma City met the Bossier Shreveport MudBugs for the first time this season on November 25 in Shreveport. Blair Manning paced the Blazers with three points (2-1-3) en route to a 5-3 win. Sean Connors stopped 25 of 28 shots to snap a personal three-game losing streak.

TURKEY DAY IN INDY – Oklahoma City skated on Thanksgiving Day in Indianapolis. The Blazers scored three times in the final eight minutes to overcome a two-goal third period deficit and win 5-4 in regulation. Rookie Mike Lucci led the way with two points (1-1-2).

THUNDER & BLAZERS MEET AGAIN – For the third time in eight days, the Blazers and Thunder squared off. The score of the game was the same as the last two, with the winner taking the game 3-2. Bryan Forslund scored the game winner in the third period and added an assist to pace the Blazers. Sean Connors stopped 26 of 28 shots for the win.

BLAZERS EARN A POINT AGAINST ODESSA– A weary Blazers team earned standings point with a 4-3 shootout loss to Odessa on November 29. Ryan Campbell netted two goals for the Blazers and Boyd Ballard stopped 36 of 39 shots in the shootout loss.

BLAZERS AVOID DUBIOUS RECORD – The Blazers 3-2 win over the Wichita Thunder on November 28 was the team's first home win since a November 9 shootout win over Colorado. Heading into Friday's game, the Blazers had lost three straight at home for just the third time in franchise history. The Blazers are now 5-4-1 at home.

FORSLUND RIDING STREAK –Veteran forward Bryan Forslund is riding the longest active point-scoring streak on the team. He has notched points (7) in his last six games. He is also riding a three-game goal-scoring streak, tied for the longest goal-scoring streak this season.

BLAZERS WIN & PICK UP STANDINGS POINTS – After a tough three-game losing streak at home in mid-November, the Blazers have put together a streak that has seen the team win four-in-a-row and go 4-0-1 in its last five games

NOTHING BUT EVEN STRENGTH GOALS FOR TWO GAMES – The Oklahoma City Blazers ended a streak of nothing but power-play goals on November 25 in Shreveport with a streak of nothing but even-strength goals in games on November 25 & 27. After scoring seven straight power-play goals over a four-game stretch, the team recorded 10 straight even strength goals.

ON THE DOORSTEP OF A MILESTONE – Blazers defenseman Hardy Sauter's next point will move him into even more exclusive company in Blazers and league history. His next point will be his 600th of his CHL career. He will be just the second person in Blazers history to notch 600 points and the first defenseman to snag 600 points in CHL history. In fact, he will become just the sixth player to surpass the 600-point barrier in CHL history. He is also one of two defensemen ranked among the top 25 scorers in CHL history.

BLAZERS TO SKATE AT BRAUM'S RINK– The Blazers will practice on Tuesday, December 2 outside at the Braum's Ice Rink in the Civic Center Park from noon to 1 p.m. This will mark the second consecutive season the Blazers have practiced outdoors on the man-made ice rink. The Braum's Ice Rink is part of the Downtown in December festivities in Oklahoma City during the month of December. The Braum's Ice Rink is open from noon to 10 p.m. until January 4. Admission is $8.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2003


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