Close, but No Cigars
December 16, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
The El Paso Buzzards played against three teams above the .500 mark last week and battled each of them down to the wire. The Buzzards went 0-2-1 against the Amarillo Gorillas, Odessa Jackalopes and Austin Ice Bats, but played valiant hockey. On Thursday against Amarillo, the Buzzards one of the most exciting home games of the season, but lost 5-4 in a shootout. Buzzards' defenseman Jason Tessier led the Buzzards with a goal and two assists. Unfortunately, a black cat crossed the Buzzards path on Friday the 13th as El Paso fell to the Odessa Jackalopes 6-2 in Odessa. Buzzards' center Joe Gray paced El Paso with a goal and an assist. In a battle of old Western Professional Hockey League charter members on Saturday, the Buzzards lost to the Austin Ice Bats, 2-1. Buzzards' center Russ Guzior scored his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Gray and Jeff Scharf, but it wasn't enough as the Ice Bats escaped with the win. The Buzzards dominated all phases of the game and outshot the Ice Bats 36 to 18.
BUZZARDS, TOYS FOR TOTS JOIN FORCES!
The El Paso Buzzards and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit El Paso are pleased to once again join forces this holiday season to bring holiday cheer to help disadvantaged children. On Dec. 20 and 21, the Buzzards will conduct an unwrapped toy drive and a Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys and drop them in toy barrels staffed by local Marines. Fans are also encouraged to bring stuffed bears and toss them onto the ice after the Buzzards' first goal of the night. Buzzards' players and Marines will then deliver the unwrapped toys and bears to local needy children at Thomason Hospital on Christmas Eve. Local media are invited to attend. This event will begin at 8 a.m.
LAST WEEK'S BUZZ
Thu., Dec. 12 Amarillo 5 vs. Buzzards 4 (shootout) at the Nest
Fri., Dec.13 Buzzards 2 vs. Odessa 6 in Odessa
Sat. Dec. 14 Austin 2 vs. Buzzards 1 at the Nest
THIS WEEK'S BUZZ
Fri., Dec. 20 New Mexico vs. Buzzards at the Nest, 7 p.m. Radio: 6:45 p.m. 1380 AM "El Paso's Sports Ticket"
Notes: In a showcase of the best rivalry in the Central Hockey League, the New Mexico Scorpions visit the Nest in an important Southwest Division showdown. The Buzzards are 11 points behind New Mexico for third place in the division and have momentum on their side. The previous time these two teams hooked up, the Buzzards played their best road game of the season and beat the Scorpions 4-0 behind goaltender Blaine Russell's 27 saves. The Buzzards are 2-2-0 against New Mexico this season. New Mexico is 12-11-1 this season and 5-5-1 on the road. Scorpions' forwards Chris Richards (17 goals, 20 assists) and Peter Ambroziak (10 goals, 16 assists) lead the team in scoring.
Sat., Dec. 21 San Angelo vs. Buzzards at the Nest, 7 p.m. Radio: 6:45 p.m. 1380 AM "El Paso's Sports Ticket"
Notes: San Angelo makes their fourth visit to the Nest this season. In the previous contest at the Nest, the Buzzards took it to the Saints, winning 7-4. Buzzards' center Jeff Scharf led the charge with two goals and two assists and defenseman Rhett Dudley recorded four assists. The Buzzards have split the season series with the Saints 2-2-0. San Angelo is led in scoring by Troy Mann (14 goals, 20 assists) and Chris Peach (13 goals, 21 assists).
BUZZARD OF THE WEEK
Center Joe Gray has been named the Buzzard of the Week for the week of Dec. 9-15. Since being moved up to the first line by Buzzards' head coach Craig Coxe, Gray had his most productive weekend with El Paso. Gray collected two goals and three assists in three games for the Buzzards last week. His two goals helped spark Buzzards rallies against Amarillo and Odessa. At 5'10" and 190 pounds, Gray, a native of Boston, Mass., has six goals and 11 assists in 24 games this season.
Contact Michael LaPlaca, Buzzards' Director of Communications at (915) 533-7825, or by e-mail at mlaplaca@elpasobuzzards.com for more information.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2002
- Back to the Drawing Board - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bugs Bury Indy for Third Time - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Weisgerber CHL Player of the Week - San Angelo Saints
- Weisgerber, Carroll Given Awards - CHL
- Scorpions Bitten by Bats but Melt the Ice - New Mexico Scorpions
- McDonald Named Scorpions Coach - New Mexico Scorpions
- Buzzards Release Grasso - El Paso Buzzards
- Buzzards and Marines Join Forces - El Paso Buzzards
- IceRays to Name Dunn as GM - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Close, but No Cigars - El Paso Buzzards
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
- Clayton Tops Among CHL Scorers - Wichita Thunder
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