Cotton Kings Game Night Preview

December 31, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


12/31/06 - ODESSA JACKALOPES (12-12-3) @ LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS (12-13-2)

- 5:05 PM CITY BANK COLISEUM

CLOSE IT OUT

The Lubbock Cotton Kings will put a wrap on the 2006 calendar year tonight, as they host the Odessa Jackalopes. What a week it has been for the Cotton Kings. Lubbock moved into a share of first place in the Southwest Division with a win Tuesday over the Jackalopes to open the four-game week, but have since lost two consecutive game to drop under .500 for the first time this season and now find themselves in fourth place of the division. Lubbock is a standing point behind Odessa in the division and three points behind division leading Arizona entering tonight. The Kings and Jackalopes each wrap up a three-in-three weekend with tonight's tilt.

THE SERIES

The Odessa Jackalopes and Lubbock Cotton Kings face off for the third time in Lubbock this season and for the 76th meeting all-time. Odessa, who owns the all-time regular season series with a 49-21-5 record, is 3-1-1 this season against the Kings. Lubbock is 26-44-5 all-time against Odessa and former King Jan Melichercik is the Kings all-time leader against the Jacks with 43 points (16g, 27a). Lubbock's Bobby Brown (2g,4a), leads the Kings in this season's series with six points, while Mike Rutter (2g,7a) and Steve Shrum (4g,5a) each lead the Jackalopes this season against Lubbock with nine points.

THE LAST TIME

12/26/06 - The Lubbock Cotton Kings defeated the Odessa Jackalopes 3-0 Tuesday night at the City Bank Coliseum as Lubbock netminder J.F. Perras

earned his second consecutive shutout at home with 37 saves. The Cotton Kings are tied for first place in the Southwest Division with a record of 12-11-2 and 26 points in the standings.

Not only did Perras have a second consecutive shutout at home, but for the second straight game he made a save on a penalty shot attempt. Odessa's Mike Ramsay failed on the attempt in the first period. Jimmy Callahan ended the Cotton Kings scoreless streak against Odessa at 116:22 and with 1:24 remaining in the first period for the 1-0 lead. Lubbock out-shot Odessa 27-10 in the first period. Following the Callahan score, Jackalope goaltender Derek Dolson was injured and Mike Gorman replaced him in net.

A scoreless second period featured Lubbock out-shooting Odessa 22-13, and by the second intermission the Cotton King had out-shot the Jackalopes 49-23. Callahan earned his second goal of the game and 11th of the season while on the power play at the 3:38 mark of the third period for the 2-0 advantage. Mike Carter earned his third goal of the year and the third Lubbock goal of the contest at 9:30 on the man-advantage. Assists went to Callahan and Bobby Brown. With the assist, Callahan collected the Gordie Howe hat trick (unofficial stat) as he recorded a goal, assist, and a fighting major penalty on the night.

The game saw the two teams combine for 91 shots on goal with Lubbock out-shooting Odessa 54-37. Cotton Kings goaltender Perras had the win in net for the sixth time this year (6-5-1). Jackalope goaltender Dolson suffered the loss in net as he made 25 saves off of 26 shots on goal in 18:36 of ice time. Odessa's Mike Gorman stopped 47-of-49 shots on net in 41:24 of action. Lubbock was 2-for-5 on the powerplay while Odessa was 0-for-8 on the man-advantage.

ROSTER CHANGES

No roster moves have been made by the Cotton Kings, but Odessa has made a change since the last meeting. Goaltender Derek Dolson has been placed on the IR and they have added Michael Dilorenzo to fill in between the pipes.

STANDINGS

Kings - 26 points, 4th place, 3 points back, Southwest Division. Jackalopes - 27 points, 3rd place, 2 points back, Southwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Kings - Points: 26 Simon Watson, Goals: 15 Simon Watson, Assists: 13 Kyle Nosan/Bobby Brown, Penalty Minutes: 104 Paul McBrien. Jackalopes - Points: 31 Mike Rutter, Goals: 14 Steve Shrum, Assists: 22 Mike Rutter, Penalty Minutes: 150 Jeff Ewasko.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kings - Power play: 13.4% 13th, Penalty killing: 87.6% 3rd. Jackalopes - Power play: 20.3% 5th, Penalty killing: 84.9% 4th.

GOALTENDERS

Kings - J.F. Perras (6-6-1, 2 SO, 2.46), Kyle Stanton (6-7-1, 1 SO, 3.42). Jackalopes - Mike Gorman (8-7-2, 0 SO, 2.91), Derek Dolson (4-5-1, 2 SO, 2.18), Michael Dilorenzo (0-0-0, 0 SO, 0.00).

WHAT'S NEXT

Lubbock - Thursday, January 4th 7:35 PM @ Austin Ice Bats Chaparral Ice Center

Odessa - Friday, January 5th 7:05 PM @ Wichita Thunder Kansas Coliseum



Central Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2006


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