Corpus Christi @ Rio Grande Valley Preview

Published on January 23, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

Corpus Christi Rayz (15-20-3) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (16-17-6)

DATE: 1/23/04 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

THE TIME IS NOW

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees open up a two-game divisional homestand tonight, hosting the Corpus Christi Rayz. The Dodge 2004 CHL All-Star Game wrapped up in Albuquerque, New Mexico last night with the Northern Conference defeating the Southern Conference 12-9, so the five-day all-star break for the Killer Bees comes to an end with tonight's contest. A Killer Bees victory over Corpus Christi tonight would extend the Bees winning streak to two games, end the Rayz two-game winning streak, and if Austin losses to Laredo tonight, a Bees victory would move the Bees into second place of the CHL's Southeast Division. This is Corpus Christi's first trip to the Dodge Arena with Malcolm Cameron coaching the Rayz. Cameron took over for the Rayz last Friday.

THE SERIES

This is the seventh meeting between the Rayz and Bees this season and the fourth at the Dodge Arena. Corpus Christi holds the season series lead with a 4-2-0 record, but the Bees do have a .500 record against the Rayz at 2-2-2. Rayz forwards Dan Shermerhorn (4g,4a) and Jay Woodcroft (3g,5a) leads the season series in scoring with 8 points each, and the Bees are led in the series by Bill Newson who has 4 goals and an assist for 5 points.

THE LAST MEETING

These two squads faced off last Saturday night in Corpus Christi, with the Rayz defeating the Killer Bees 6-1 at the Memorial Coliseum.

The Rayz wasted no time taking the early lead, opening the contest with two goals in the first 5:02 of play. Veteran forward Dan Shermerhorn grabbed the game's first goal with a power play goal scored from the right slot and Jonathan St. Louis extended the Rayz lead to 2-0 with a rush past two Bees defenders that placed St. Louis alone with Bees goaltender Jacque Vezina, who was unable to stop St.Louis. The Rayz made it 3-0 with just 46-seconds remaining in the opening period, as Shermerhorn collected his second of the game by deflecting a shot from the left side that trickled through the leg pads of Vezina.

The second period's lone goal was scored by Rayz newly acquired forward Matt Noga, who extended the Rayz lead to 4-0 with a goal scored from behind the net. Noga attempted a centering pass from behind the net, but the puck deflected off of defenseman Darcy Smith, who was sprawled along the goal line behind Vezina, and crossed the goal line.

Killer Bees defenseman Kevin Mackie ended the Bees scoring drought 2:09 into the third period with a goal fired from the right point. The goal ended the Bees scoreless sequence at 103:46. The Rayz wrapped up the scoring in the contest with goals by Brad Wingfield and Ken Richardson 2:08 apart to end the contest with the 6-1 win.

The victory was Corpus Christi's first win under new head coach Malcolm Cameron, who joined the organization Friday. Cameron was serving as the head coach of the first-year Columbus Stars of the United Hockey League (UHL) until the Stars ceased operations two weeks ago. The Rayz new head coach was not the only move from Columbus to Corpus Christi, as Cameron brought six players from the Stars squad. Matt Noga (1g,3a) and Matt Medvecz (3a) are two of the former Stars that made a difference in the Rays offense Saturday night, as they each had three-point performances. Rayz goaltender Greg Hewit, who is another former Columbus member, was impressive in net for the victory, stopping 44 shots off a Killer Bees season high 45 shots on goal.

ROSTER CHANGES

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees list a full roster for tonight's game as of press time. The Rayz are without forward Cosmo Dupaul and defenseman Trent Brandvold, who are each on the 14-Day IR.

STANDINGS

Bees - 38 points, 3rd place, 30 points back, Southeast Division.

Rayz – 33 points, 4th place, 35 points back Southeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Bill Newson 32 points; Bill Newson 20 goals; Several Tied with 14 assists; Ryan Shmyr 156 penalty minutes.

Rayz – Mike Tilson 31 points; Jay Woodcroft 14 goals; Mike Tilson 21 assists; Brad Wingfield 189 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 14.1% 13th, Penalty killing: 82.7% 11th.

Rayz – Power play: 13.5% 15th, Penalty killing: 80.1% 16th.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (14-12-4, 4 SO, 2.42), Jacque Vezina (2-5-2, 1 SO, 2.79).

Rayz – Greg Hewitt (2-1-0, 0 SO, 1.99), Craig Hillier (0-0-0, 0 SO, 0.00)

WHAT'S NEXT Rio Grande Valley – Saturday, January 24th 7:30 PM vs. Austin Ice Bats Dodge Arena

Corpus Christi – Saturday, January 24th 7:05 PM @ San Angelo Saints San Angelo Coliseum

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2004


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