CHL Central Hockey League

Central Hockey League's 12th Season Concludes

Published on March 16, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


The Central Hockey League's 12th regular season is complete, with eight member teams preparing for action in the 2003-2004 Ray Miron President's Cup Playoffs. The season was a success on several levels, as the CHL enjoyed tremendous parity, again increased attendance, and experienced excellent success in expansion markets in Colorado and Rio Grande Valley.

On the ice, three of four division winners from the 2002/2003 season failed to qualify for the post-season, with only the Amarillo Gorillas, Indianapolis Ice and Laredo Bucks earning a repeat visit to the playoffs. In Laredo, the Bucks enjoyed arguably the top season in CHL history, establishing new CHL records with a winning percentage of .813 (currently leading all minor professional hockey), a 21-game home winning streak and a penalty killing percentage of 89.4. Along with the Governors' Cup as regular season CHL champions, the Bucks earned three individual awards, as goaltender David Guerrera was voted the CHL's Rookie of the Year and center Jeff Bes claimed Most Valuable Player and Joe Burton Scoring Champion honors with a CHL-leading 117 points.

The 2003/2004 season also saw the CHL set a new total attendance record, welcoming 2,448,584 fans to 544 games. The CHL increased its per game average attendance for the third consecutive season, finishing the campaign with an average of 4,501 per contest, more than 600 higher than any other "AA" league in North America. In Oklahoma City, the Blazers highlighted the year by setting a new single game CHL attendance mark, packing 16,929 fans into the Ford Center on February 7th.

The CHL's two expansion clubs this season both received outstanding support en route to highly successful inaugural seasons. In Colorado, the Eagles sold out all 32 home games at the Budweiser Events Center (5,211) and claimed the Northwest Division title with a record of 43-16-5, setting a CHL record for points by an expansion team with 91. Expansion sibling Rio Grande Valley was also warmly received, as the Killer Bees welcomed an average of 5,114 (93% capacity) to the Dodge Arena and also qualified for the playoffs. In other news, the CHL Board of Governors has ratified a motion to proceed to a 60-game regular season schedule for the 2004-2005 season, down from the 64 game season used the past two years.

Ray Miron President's Cup Playoff Schedule

Northern Conference Semi-Finals (Best of 5 Games)

Colorado Eagles (1) vs Wichita Thunder (4)

Game 1 @ Colorado, Friday, March 19 (7:05 PM)

Game 2 @ Colorado, Saturday, March 20 (7:05 PM)

Game 3 @ Wichita, Friday, March 26 (7:30 PM)

Game 4* @ Wichita, Saturday March 27 (7:30 PM)

Game 5* @ Colorado, Monday, March 29 (7:05 PM)

*If Necessary

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (2) vs Indianapolis Ice (3)

Game 1 @ Bossier-Shreveport, Friday, March 19 (7:05 PM)

Game 2 @ Bossier-Shreveport, Saturday, March 20 (7:05 PM)

Game 3 @ Indianapolis, Saturday, March 27 (7:00 PM)

Game 4* @ Indianapolis, Sunday, March 28 (5:00 PM)

Game 5* @ Bossier-Shreveport, Tuesday, March 30 (7:05 PM)

*If Necessary

Southern Conference Semi-Finals (Best of 5 Games)

Laredo Bucks (1) vs Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (4)

Game 1 @ Laredo, Friday, March 19 (7:30 PM)

Game 2 @ Laredo, Saturday, March 20 (7:30 PM)

Game 3 @ Rio Grande Valley, Saturday, March 27 (7:35 PM)

Game 4* @ Rio Grande Valley, Sunday, March 28 (6:05 PM)

Game 5* @ Laredo, Tuesday, March 30 (7:30 PM)

*If Necessary

San Angelo Saints (2) vs Amarillo Gorillas (4)

Game 1 @ San Angelo, Friday, March 19 (7;05 PM)

Game 2 @ San Angelo, Saturday, March 20 (7:05 PM)

Game 3 @ Amarillo, Saturday, March 27 (7:10 PM)

Game 4* @ Amarillo, Sunday, March 28 (6:10 PM)

Game 5* @ San Angelo, Tuesday, March 30 (7:05 PM)

*If Necessary

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2004


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