Buzzards Gear Up for Ice Bats
December 13, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
EL PASO, Texas â Looking to match one of the most exciting home games of the season on Thursday, the El Paso Buzzards will host the Austin Ice Bats at 7 p.m., in the El Paso County Coliseum, Saturday. Catch all of the action on KHEY 1380 AM, El Paso's Sports Ticket with Michael LaPlaca and Michael Hissam doing the play-by-play and color commentary.
This will be the third of three consecutive games for the Buzzards. The Buzzards enter the match-up with a 4-8-1 record at home and remain in fourth place in the Southwest Division. El Paso is 2-2-1 in their last five games with the arrival of six new players.
On Thursday, the Buzzards lost a heartbreaker to the Amarillo Gorillas 5-4 in a shootout. However, the Buzzards picked up a point in the standings. Buzzards' defenseman Jason Tessier scored a power play goal and two assists, center Joe Gray had a goal and an assist and right winger Derrell Upton added two assists in the overtime loss.
In the game, there was a shootout, three fights, five redirection goals and numerous checks along the boards. The crowd stood on edge the entire evening with great hockey, big hits and fantastic goal scoring.
Two new faces will be on the bench when newly acquired defenseman Bob Rapoza and right winger Markus Forsberg skate for the Buzzards. The Buzzards acquired Rapoza in a trade with the Wichita Thunder on Tuesday and signed Forsberg off waivers Thursday. The roster moves fill big needs for the Buzzards because Rapoza can play on special teams and Forsberg can be a physical presence in front of the net.
This is the first match-up between the two of the Western Professional Hockey League's charter members. As of Friday, the Ice Bats hold the first place position in the Central Hockey League's Southeast Division with a 15-4-1 overall record.
WHERE THEY STAND
BUZZARDS - Coming into Saturday's action, the Buzzards are in fourth place in the Southwest Division and 4-8-1 at home. As of Friday, Buzzards center Jeff Scharf leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and 12 assists (22 points). The Buzzards will play their next six games at home beginning with Austin.
AUSTIN â As of Friday, the Ice Bats (31 points) come into the game 15-4-0 overall, 8-2-1 on the road, are in first place in the Southeast Division for the best record in the CHL. The Ice Bats have not participated in a shootout this season. The Ice Bats are 8-2-1 in their last ten games. Austin is led by one of the best goaltenders in the CHL, Matt Barnes. Coming into this week's action, Barnes is 13-4-1 with a 1.50 goals against average and a .947 save percentage. Austin's leading scorers include centers Kelly Smart and Brett Seguin and right winger Dan Price.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2002
- Buzzards Sign a Forsberg, Release Defenseman - El Paso Buzzards
- Buzzards Gear Up for Ice Bats - El Paso Buzzards
- Gorillas win third game in a row - Amarillo Gorillas
- Buzzards Slip in Shootout - El Paso Buzzards
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