Corpus Christi @ Rio Grande Valley Preview

November 6, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Corpus Christi Rayz (2-2-1) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (2-1-0)

DATE: 11/6/04 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

EARLY BATTLE FOR FIRST

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees return to the ice for their only game of the week tonight, hosting the Corpus Christi Rayz. Rio Grande Valley has played the least amount of games of teams in the CHL, with just 3, but Tuesday's game against Bossier-Shreveport kicks off a span of 11 games in 19 days. Tonight's game is also the last of four consecutive games against Southeast Division opponents for the Bees. The winner of tonight's game will take an early Southeast Division lead. The Bees are the only team with an above .500 winning percentage in the division. Austin, Corpus Christi and Laredo have had slow starts this season and have combined for a 6-10-1 record so far.

THE SERIES

This is the 15th all-time meeting between the two clubs and the first of 11 on the year. Rio Grande Valley is 8-3-3 all-time against Corpus Christi and 4-1-2 against the Rayz at the Dodge Arena. Bees forward Bill Newson is the series all-time leading scorer with 18 points (10g,8a), while Corpus Christi's Matt Noga is the returning Rayz leader in the all-time series with 9 points (2g,7a). Noga is the only returning Rayz member from last season's squad.

THE LAST MEETING

11/6/04 - Jacque Vezina grabbed his fourth shutout of the season, leading the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees past the Corpus Christi Rayz 6-0 at the Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi.

In a fast-paced first period of play, the Bees opened up the scoring with a goal by Justin Van Parys 2:49 into the period. Van Parys was the trailer on a 3-on-2 odd man rush and shot the puck past Rayz goaltender Greg Hewitt after receiving a drop pass from Jason Hawes atop the left circle. Bill Newson grabbed his 30th goal of the season with 3:24 remaining on a nice feed from Dan Odegard, who passed the puck across the slots to an unattended Newson in the left slot.

Matic Kralj collected a pair of second period goals for the Bees to extend their lead to 4-0, and they were two highlight-reel goals. His first came 5:37 into the period as he skated the puck coast-to-coast, wristed a shot from the right side, collected the rebound behind the net in full stride, circled the net coming into the left slot and backhanding a shot over Hewitt and into the twine. Kralj's second goal and 20th of the season came with 1:33 remaining in the period. He received a pass from Chris Peach, which broke Kralj open for a breakaway, and he converted by deking left and putting another backhanded shot over the left shoulder of Hewitt.

Troy Linna continued the scoring for the Bees with a power play goal 6:24 into the contest, and Andrew Taylor closed the games scoring with a goal with 6:11 remaining. Taylor's goal gave the Bees a 6-0 lead and victory, which was the largest margin of victory last season.

The shutout for Vezina, who stopped all 28 Rayz shots, was his second against the Rayz during the season.

ROSTER CHANGES

Rio Grande Valley reports a healthy roster, while Corpus Christi is without the services of Anthony D'Arpino.

STANDINGS

Bees - 4 points, 2nd place, 1 point back, Southeast Division. Rayz – 5 points, 1st place, Southeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Several Tied with 4 points; Jason Tessier 3 goals; Jason Hawes/Blaz Emersic 3 assists; Jason Tessier 11 penalty minutes. Rayz – Greg Bullock 10 points; Several tied with 4 goals; Greg Bullock 6 assists; Dominic Periard 29 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 21.4% t-4th, Penalty killing: 70.0% 17th. Rayz – 21.4% t-4th, Penalty killing: 77.8% t-14th.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (2-0-0, 0 SO, 2.00), Jacque Vezina (0-1-0, 0 SO, 4.04). Rayz – Josh Blackburn (2-0-0, 0 SO, 3.81), Brent Zelenewich (0-2-1, 0 SO, 3.36)

WHAT'S NEXT

Rio Grande Valley – Tuesday, November 9th 11:00 AM vs. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Dodge Arena

Corpus Christi – Thursday, November 11th 7:05 PM vs. Austin Ice Bats AmericanBank Center



Central Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2004


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