Buzzards Road Woes Continue
January 13, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
The El Paso Buzzards played exciting end-to-end hockey, but could not muster a victory in the three road games against Laredo, Corpus Christi and Austin.
The Buzzards held a 4-3 lead after two periods in Laredo, but caught some unlucky breaks and fell to the Bucks 6-4. Buzzards center Joe Gray scored two goals and an assist, left winger Russ Guzior had a goal and an assist while center Jeff Scharf and defenseman Mike Zeibaq had two assists apiece. The following evening in Corpus Christi, the Buzzards scored first with a power play goal by Guzior, but let up four unanswered goals and eventually fell to the Rayz 7-5. Guzior and Scharf had monster games. Guzior finished with a hat trick and two assists, while Scharf scored two goals and three assists. In the trip's finale, El Paso fell to the Austin Ice Bats 5-0. Buzzards goaltender Blaine Russell made 48 saves in the contest. The Buzzards have not won a road game since Dec. 7 against the New Mexico Scorpions.
THREE FIRST PLACE TEAMS PREPARE FOR VISITS TO THE NEST
The quest for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance continues when the Buzzards host three of the Central Hockey League's division leaders in four days. The Buzzards open a homestand Friday against a division rival, the Odessa Jackalopes. The Oklahoma City Blazers follow on Saturday making their only visit to El Paso. The Blazers hold the first place spot in the Northwest Division. On the official commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, the Buzzards will conclude the stretch hosting the defending Ray Miron President's Cup champion, the Memphis RiverKings. The River Kings have won eight of their last 10 to move back into the top spot in the Northeast Division.
LAST WEEK'S BUZZ
Thu., Jan. 9 Buzzards 4 vs. Laredo 6 in Laredo
Fri. Jan. 10 Buzzards 5 vs. Corpus Christi 7 in Corpus Christi
Sat. Jan. 11 Buzzards 0 vs. Austin 5 in Austin
THIS WEEK'S BUZZ
Fri., Jan. 17 Odessa vs. Buzzards at the Nest, 7 p.m. Radio: To be determined
Notes: The Buzzards look to avenge the last time Odessa came to the Nest. El Paso lost the last contest 4-2, but not without a lot of fireworks. The Buzzards set a season high for most penalties and penalty minutes called against them. The Jackalopes have defeated the Buzzards in all six contests this season. Odessa will send three players to the CHL All-Star game, forward Sebastien Thinel (15 goals, 17 assists), defenseman Scott Hillman (10 goals, 24 assists) and goaltender Mike Gorman (2.59 GAA).
Sat., Jan. 18 Oklahoma City vs. Buzzards at the Nest, 7 p.m. Radio: To be determined
Notes: The Oklahoma City Blazers battle the Buzzards for the first time this season. Three All-Stars pace the Blazers, right winger Joe Burton (29 goals, 26 assists), defenseman Hardy Sauter (six goals, 43 assists) and center Blair Manning (15 goals, 33 assists).
Mon. Jan. 20 Memphis vs. Buzzards at the Nest, 5 p.m. Radio: To be determined
Notes: This is the only contest scheduled this season between the Buzzards and the RiverKings. Don Parsons, the CHL league leader in scoring with 32 goals and 32 assists, leads Memphis on this special Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day game. The start time will be at 5 p.m. with a special tribute to Dr. King.
BUZZARD OF THE WEEK
Center Jeff Scharf has been named Buzzard of the Week for the week of Jan. 6 to Jan. 12. Scharf was named to the 2002 CHL All-Star team and celebrated in grand fashion. Scharf scored two goals and five assists in three games. On the season, Scharf leads the Buzzards in scoring with 18 goals, 27 assists for 45 points in 36 games this season.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2003
- Dumba thriving in Indianapolis - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- CHL Awards Emersic, Silver - CHL
- Mudbugs Week in Review - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Wins Continue for Ice - Indianapolis Ice
- Make it Four for Ice's Silver - Indianapolis Ice
- Scorpions Take Three of Four Points on the Road - New Mexico Scorpions
- Two out of Three Ain't Bad - Amarillo Gorillas
- Hockey Day in Laredo (with Miss Texas) - Laredo Bucks
- Oilers Trade for Goaltender - Tulsa Oilers
- Lubbock Weekly Notes - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
- Buzzards Road Woes Continue - El Paso Buzzards
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