Cotton Kings Road Game Preview

December 1, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


12/1/06 -LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS (9-4-1) @ BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT MUDBUGS (7-7-3)

- 7:05 PM CENTURYTEL CTR. RADIO- KKAM 1340 AM

KINGS OPEN THREE-IN-THREE WEEKEND ON THE ROAD TONIGHT

The Southwest Division leading Lubbock Cotton Kings take their Southern Conference best winning percentage (67.9%) on the road tonight as they face the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. The Cotton Kings begin a three-in-three weekend tonight, which will see the Kings return home to face the Colorado Eagles Saturday before closing the weekend Sunday evening in Amarillo. Lubbock is 3-3-1 on the road this season, while the Mudbugs are 5-2-0 at the CenturyTel Center. It will be a battle of offense vs. defense, as the Cotton Kings, who lead the Southern Conference in goals per game (3.79), face a Mudbugs defense that leads the CHL with an allowance of 2.41 goals per game. The Kings are 2-0-1 this season against Northern Conference foes.

THE SERIES

The meeting is the first of two in Bossier City and the second of three overall meetings. Lubbock defeated the Mudbugs 3-2 on Nov. 16 to take a 1-0-0 series record this season. Lubbock's all-time record between against the Mudbugs in regular season play is 5-7-0. This season's offensive leader in the series is Lubbock's Mike Carter, who has 3 assists. Chad Spurr of the Mudbugs is the series all-time leading scorer with 11 points off 3 goals and 8 assists, while the Kings are led by former King Jan Melichercik, who had a goal and 7 assists for 8 points.

THE LAST TIME

11/16/06 - Ross McCain's goal with 7:23 remaining proved the difference, as the Lubbock Cotton Kings won their third consecutive game in a 3-2 victory over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

Joseph Ori collected the first goal of the contest at 7:28 of the first period to give the Mudbugs a 1-0 advantage. However, Lubbock answered back with a pair of Jimmy Callahan goals at the 12:09 mark of the second period and at 8:50 of the third period giving the Cotton Kings a 2-1 advantage. Jason Basile tied up the game for Bossier-Shreveport at 11:27 of the third period. It would be a McCain wrister coming from the right side of Mudbug goaltender Ken Carroll that would clinch the win for the Hub City squad.

Kyle Stanton earned his sixth win of the year with 29 saves to his credit and extends his personal winning streak to four consecutive games. His shutout streak ended with Ori's goal for a team season high total of 94:18. Ken Carroll also entered the contest following a shutout, and his shutout streak ended with Callahan's first tally for a total of 117:36. Teams combined for 20 power play advantages with Lubbock converting on one of 12 chances, while the 'Bugs went scoreless on eight opportunities. For Carroll, it is the first time he has suffered a regulation loss against the Kings in franchise history (he carries six wins against the Cotton Kings).

ROSTER CHANGES

The Cotton Kings will be without Head Coach Chris Dashney, who is tending to a family emergency. Bossier-Shreveport activated Chris Murphy from the IR and placed Cam Abbott on the 14-Day IR. They also have defenseman Ryan Fairbarn and Rob Sutherland placed on the 14-Day IR.

STANDINGS

Kings - 19 points, 1st place, Southwest Division.

'Bugs - 17 points, 3rd place, 5 points back, Northeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Kings - Points: 18 Several Tied, Goals: 9 Simon Watson, Assists: 12 Kyle Nosan, Penalty Minutes: 51 Paul McBrien.

'Bugs - Points: 16 Chris Brassard, Goals: 8 Daniel Pegoraro, Assists: 9 Chris Brassard, Penalty Minutes: 78 Dan Wildfong.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kings - Power play: 17.5% 8th, Penalty killing: 87.1% 3rd.

'Bugs - Power play: 8.8% 17th, Penalty killing: 90.3% 1st.

GOALTENDERS

Kings - JF Perras (3-2-0, 0 SO, 3.56), Kyle Stanton (6-2-0, 1 SO, 2.62).

'Bugs - Ken Carroll (4-3-0, 1 SO, 1.84), John DeCaro (3-4-3, 0 SO, 2.42).



Central Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2006


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