Buzzards Draw Large Crowds over the Weekend
Published on November 19, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
The El Paso Buzzards drew their second and third largest crowds of the season during this weekend's games against New Mexico and Lubbock at the El Paso County Coliseum. The Buzzards fans continued their strong support as 4,735 turned out against New Mexico on Friday and 4,891 against Lubbock on Saturday. The largest crowd of the season for the Buzzards occurred on opening night as the Buzzards drew 5,430 against the San Angelo Saints. The Buzzards lost 6-3 against the New Mexico Scorpions on Friday and 1-0 Saturday against the Lubbock Cotton Kings, both at the Nest. During Friday's game, Buzzards left-winger Russ Guzior recorded a hat trick. On the road, the Buzzards lost for the fifth game in a row, this time to Lubbock 5-1. The Buzzards did not go down in any game without a fight, literally. The Buzzards were involved in 15 fights during the three weekend games, amassing 36 penalties and 111 total minutes.
NETMINDER HATCHED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEBUT
It was a great weekend for Buzzards' goaltender Josh Baier as he saw his first professional action against New Mexico on Friday night. Buzzards' head coach Craig Coxe decided to shake things up and start his rookie net minder against Lubbock on Saturday, giving starting goaltender Matt Carmichael a rest. Baier did not disappoint the fans, as he played strong in the Buzzards' 1-0 loss. Baier stopped 26 of 27 shots against Lubbock on Saturday, making tough saves on a number of great scoring chances. Baier is 0-2-0 on the season with a 3.48 goals against average and has a .893 save percentage in three games this season.
LAST WEEK'S BUZZ
Fri., Nov. 15 New Mexico 6 vs. Buzzards 3 at The Nest
Sat., Nov. 16 Lubbock 1 vs. Buzzards 0 at The Nest
Sun., Nov. 17 Lubbock 5 vs. Buzzards 1 in Lubbock
THIS WEEK'S BUZZ
Wed., Nov. 20 Lubbock vs. Buzzards at the Nest
Radio: 6:45 pm 1380 AM "El Paso's Sports Ticket"
Notes: The Buzzards look to end a five game skid as they finish a three game set with the Lubbock Cotton Kings. In Sunday's game, forward Josh Tymchak scored his fourth goal of the year, on the power play, to open the scoring in the Buzzards' 5-1 loss. The Buzzards are 0-2-0 against Lubbock this season and 3-5-0 at home.
Fri., Nov. 22 Buzzards vs. New Mexico in Albuquerque
Radio: 6:45 pm 1380 AM "El Paso's Sports Ticket"
Notes: Coach Coxe's team travels to New Mexico as the Buzzards battle the Scorpions for the third time this year. In two previous games at the Nest, the Buzzards split with the Scorpions. The Buzzards picked up a 4-1 victory on Halloween in the team's first encounter, with Carmichael stopping 27 of 28 shots and center Jeff Scharf scoring a short-handed goal and an assist. This will be the Buzzards' first road game in New Mexico where the Scorpions are 4-1-0 at home.
Sat., Nov. 23 Odessa vs. Buzzards at the Nest
Radio: 6:45 pm 1380 AM "El Paso's Sports Ticket"
Notes: The Buzzards come back from the road and face off against the Odessa Jackalopes. This will be the first time Odessa visits the Nest this year. In the first meeting, the Jackalopes won in Odessa 3-1. Odessa is 3-1-2 on the road this season.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
First year left winger Russ Guzior has been honored as the Buzzards' Player of the Week for the week of November 11-17. The six-year professional and Chicago native collected a hat trick and an assist for four points in three games to lead the team in scoring for the week. He earned his hat trick against New Mexico on Friday, scoring all three goals in the third period. Guzior, in 14 games, has eight goals and eight assists for the Buzzards.
Please contact Michael LaPlaca, Buzzards' Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting at (915) 533-7825, or by e-mail at mlaplaca@elpasobuzzards.com for more information.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2002
- Oilers, Ice Bats Continue Outstanding Starts - CHL
- Dropping the Sticks and Glovesâ¦To Read - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Oilers Host New Mexico Tonight - Tulsa Oilers
- Buzzards Draw Large Crowds over the Weekend - El Paso Buzzards
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