Buzzards to Poach Gorillas
December 12, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
EL PASO, Texas â In the only game on the Central Hockey League schedule this evening, the El Paso Buzzards are poised to battle the Amarillo Gorillas at 7 p.m., in the El Paso County Coliseum tonight. Catch all of the action on KHEY 1380 AM, El Paso's Sports Ticket with Michael LaPlaca and Michael Hissum doing the play-by-play and color commentary.
Coming off a 4-0 victory on Saturday, this is the first of three consecutive games for the Buzzards. The Buzzards enter the match-up with a 1-0-1 record against the Gorillas, with both contests on the road.
The Buzzards will have a fresh face on the bench when newly acquired defenseman, Bob Rapoza, arrived from the Wichita Thunder on Tuesday. The trade fills a big need for the Buzzards because Rapoza can play on special teams and be a physical presence in front of the net.
"After thinking about it for a while, I'm excited to be in El Paso," Rapoza said. "I spoke with coach Craig Coxe and he believes this trade will turn this club around."
The Buzzards, 6-14-1 overall, 4-8-0 at the Nest, remain in fourth place in the Southwest Division. El Paso is 2-2-0 in their last four games with the arrival of four new players. The Buzzards snapped a five-game, road-losing streak on Dec. 7 against New Mexico with a 4-0 win.
In the previous contest between these two clubs, the Buzzards notched their first road win, 4-3, against the Gorillas Nov. 9. Buzzards' forward Derrell Upton recored a hat trick and an assist to lead El Paso to the vicotry. Buzzards' center Joe Gray contributed with a goal and an assist, while Buzzards' goaltender Matt Carmichael made 23 saves.
WHERE THEY STAND
BUZZARDS - Coming into Thursday's action, the Buzzards (13 points) are in fourth place in the Southwest Division, but are just 10 points behind New Mexico for third place. The Buzzards are 4-8-0 at home and 2-2-0 in their last four games. El Paso has 56 goals for and has allowed 76. Buzzards center Jeff Scharf leads the team in scroing with 10 goals and 11 assists (21 points). Buzzards' goaltender Blaine Russell, recored his first win and shutout for the Buzzards against New Mexico on Saturday. Russell is 1-1-0 with a 2.50 goals against average and a dazzling .932 save percentage. The Buzzards are ninth in the league on the power play with a 13.4 success rate. However, in their last eight games, the Buzzards are 6 for 47 on the power play, good for a 12.7 success rate. The Buzzards are 14th in the league on penalty kill situations with a 78.5 percent success rate. The Buzzards lead the league in major penalties as well with 44.
AMARILLO â The Gorillas (20 points) come into the game 10-8-0 overall, 5-2-0 on the road, are in third place in the Northwest Division. The Gorillas are twelfth in the CHL on the power play with a 11.9 percent success rate and seventh in the league on penalty kill situations with an 86.0 percent success rate. Amarillo's leading scorers are forwards Henry Kuster (13 goals, 7 assists) and Dorian Anneck (2 goals, 12 assists). The Gorillas are 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2002
- Buzzards to Poach Gorillas - El Paso Buzzards
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