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Corpus Christi @ Rio Grande Valley Game Night Preview

December 22, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

Corpus Christi Rayz (12-8-3) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (8-14-1)

DATE: 12/22/04 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

TIS THE SEASON

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees have one obstacle in the way of Christmas... the Corpus Christi Rayz who drop into the Dodge Arena tonight. The Bees and Rayz are both playing their final game before enjoying brief Christmas breaks. The co-Southeast Division leading Rayz are in a tie for the division lead after a 5-1 loss to the Laredo Bucks and can get back into sole possession of first tonight with a win (or overtime loss) over the Bees. A Bees regulation win would place the Bees eight standing-points behind first place heading into the Christmas break.

THE SERIES

This is the 20th all-time meeting between the two clubs and the sixth of 11 on the year. Rio Grande Valley leads the all-time series 10-5-4 all-time against Corpus Christi (5-2-3 against the Rayz at the Dodge Arena), but trail the season series with a 2-2-1 record compared to the Rayz record in the series (3-0-2). Bees forward Bill Newson is the series all-time leading scorer with 25 points (13g,12a), while Corpus Christi's Matt Noga is the Rayz leader in the all-time series with 12 points (2g,10a). The Rayz have several players leading the season series offensively with 7 points, and Bill Newson leads the Bees in the season series with 7 points (3g,4a).

THE LAST MEETING

12/11/04 - Playing without the services of the Central Hockey League's leading scoring defenseman, Bernie John, the Corpus Christi Rayz were able to answer the call and hand the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees a 3-2 loss at the Dodge Arena Saturday night.

John was cross-checked in Austin by Dallas Anderson, knocking him out of the game and he missed the contest against the Bees. The Bees made it six consecutive games, in which they scored first, as Jason Hawes captured his first shorthanded goal of his pro career 12:34 into the match. Corpus Christi tied the contest up on the ensuing shift with a power play goal by Derrick McIver 39-seconds later.

The Rayz extended their lead to 2-1 9:04 into the second period with a goal by Ken McKay, as he rifled a slap shot from the top of the right circle that whistled over the shoulder of Bees goaltender Jeff Levy and went into the top shelf.

Rio Grande Valley started out the third period on the power play and they converted with a goal 48-seconds into the period by a Bill Newson goal from the left slot. Like the first goal the Bees scored, the Rayz answered back. Dave Gilmore regained the Rayz lead by digging out a rebound and beating Levy to the left side 1:21 later. The Bees pulled Levy out of the net for the extra attacker with 1:38 remaining and had the puck inches from crossing the goal line in the closing seconds, but the Rayz defense was able to clear the puck away from goaltender Josh Blackburn as time expired to claim the win.

The loss was the first one-goal deficit loss in regulation for the Bees this season and placed the Bees. The Bees two-game winning streak came to an end and so did their streak of nine consecutive games they have out-shot the Corpus Christi Rayz in the head-to-head series. The Rayz out-shot the Bees 33-27 in the contest.

ROSTER CHANGES

Rio Grande Valley is without Bob Rangus, while he continues on the 45-Day IR, and Ryan Shmyr returns to the line-up from his one-game suspension. Corpus Christi continues without the services of Anthony D'Arpino, who was just placed on season ending IR, Bernie John remains on the 14-Day IR and Dominic Periard is questionable.

STANDINGS

Bees - 17 points, 4th place, 10 points back, Southeast Division.
Rayz – 27 points, 1st place, Southeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Bill Newson 21 points; Bill Newson 8 goals; Bill Newson 13 assists; Ryan Shmyr 98 penalty minutes.
Rayz – Greg Bullock 31 points; Jason Baird 15 goals; Greg Bullock 21 assists; Dominic Periard 59 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 15.6% 13th, Penalty killing: 70.4% 17th.
Rayz – 16.2% 11th, Penalty killing: 81.6% 13th.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (7-11-0, 0 SO, 3.59), Jacque Vezina (1-3-1, 0 SO, 4.24).
Rayz – Josh Blackburn (5-3-0, 0 SO, 4.03), Brent Zelenewich (7-5-3, 0 SO, 2.69)

WHAT'S NEXT

Rio Grande Valley – Tuesday, December 28th
7:30 PM vs. Laredo Bucks Dodge Arena

Corpus Christi – Sunday, December 26th
7:30 PM @ Laredo Bucks Laredo Entertainment Center

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