Buzzards rout Saints
November 29, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
EL PASO, Texas â Talk about making a difference early.
The El Paso Buzzards' newcomers, defenseman Mathieu Paul and forward Joey Grasso each scored a goal as the Buzzards crushed the San Angelo Saints 7-4, snapping a eight-game losing streak. The San Angelo Saints, with a plethora of ex-Buzzards on their roster, could not handle the offensive outburst led by Paul and Grasso. The 4,597 fans who attended the game also watched Buzzards' center Jeff Scharf add two goals and two assists and defenseman Rhett Dudley recording four assists in the victory.
Scharf opened the scoring at 6:00 in the first period with a wrist shot that beat Saints goalie and ex-Buzzard Jaime Royanne below his right pad. Defenseman Mike Zeibaq and Dudley assisted on the goal. Then Grasso connected on a shot similar to Scharf's for his first goal of the season at 7:36, assisted by right-winger Darrell Upton for his third assist of the year.
The Buzzards, playing without left-wingers Russ Guzior and Troy Linna, who are on the injured reserve with shoulder injuries, came out blazing offensively. The Buzzards were out shot 43 to 39, but made their opportunities count. Buzzards' defenseman Jason Tessier contributed with a goal and an assist and right-winger Derek Reynolds, with a goal and assist, capped the scoring with a breakaway goal in the third period against Saints' backup goalie Scott Reid.
Other Buzzards contributing in the scoring column included a goal for right-winger Josh Tymchak, assists for right-wingers Darrell Upton, Jeremy Vokes and defenseman Jeff Potter. Buzzards' goaltender Matt Carmichael improves to 5-10-1 on the season making 38 saves and collecting his first assist of the season.
Before a win against Laredo on Saturday, the Saints had endured their own eight-game losing streak. The Saints have now lost 10 of their last 11 games loaded with ex-Buzzards. Some old Buzzards on San Angelo include Chris Peach, Corri Moffat, Kori Davidson, Jamie Thompson and Jamie Ronayne, as well as coach Brent Scott.
This is the second consecutive game the Buzzards have won at home against San Angelo. In the previous game at the Nest, the Buzzards won 5-2 with everything a fan could want in a hockey game: fights, goals, arguing, great passing and big hits. Buzzards' right-winger Josh Tymchak scored two goals, left winger Guzior and center Jeff Scharf each had a goal and an assist and goaltender Matt Carmichael made 31 saves for the victory. There were 20 penalties called against both teams including two game misconduct penalties and numerous skirmishes.
The Buzzards' next game will be at 7 p.m. in the Nest on Saturday in another rematch of the first round of the 2002 President's Cup playoffs when the Odessa Jackalopes visit. More than 4,400 of El Paso's faithful watched a fantastic game last Saturday as the Buzzards look to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Odessa.
For right now, the Buzzards are back in the win column thanks to some new blood.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2002
- Buzzards rout Saints - El Paso Buzzards
- Four players join Buzzards' flock - El Paso Buzzards
- Gorillas game day preview - Amarillo Gorillas
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