Cotton Kings Road Game Preview
December 9, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
12/9/06 -LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS (10-8-1) @ ODESSA JACKALOPES (8-9-2)
- 7:00 PM ECTOR COUNTY COLISEUM RADIO- KKAM 1340 AM
KINGS CLOSE WEEK WHERE THEY STARTED IT
The Lubbock Cotton Kings return to the Ector County Coliseum tonight to close out week's play with a battle against the Odessa Jackalopes. Lubbock has lost two consecutive games heading into tonight and five of their last seven. The Kings co-lead the Southwest Division with a 10-8-1 record and seek to get back on track after suffering through injuries and offensive lapses. Odessa sits three standing-points behind the Kings in the standings and tied for third place in the division. Tonight completes a six-game home stand for the Jackalopes, who are 2-3-0 through the homestand.
THE SERIES
Lubbock is making their third trip of the season to Odessa to face the Jackalopes. Odessa leads the season series with a 2-0-1 record (Lubbock is 1-2-0 against the Jacks this season) and leads the all-time series with a record of 48-20-5. Lubbock is 25-43-5 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,3a) and Kyle Nosan (1g,4a) each lead the Kings in this season's series with five points, while Mike Rutter leads the Jackalopes this season against Lubbock with five points (1g,4a). This is the 74th all-time meeting between the two clubs.
THE LAST TIME
12/6/06 - The Odessa Jackalopes combined for a pair of third period goals 5:31 apart to steal a 2-1 win over the Lubbock Cotton Kings Wednesday night at the Ector County Coliseum.
Nathan Ward started the Jackalopes rally 9:02 into the third period, tying the game at 1-1 with a power play goal. Lubbock goaltender JF Perras was trying to cover up a shot in front of the crease and the Jackalopes continued to hack away at the pads of Perras and Ward was able to force the puck through Perras for his first professional goal. Steve Shrum earned the game winning goal with 5:28 remaining as he took advantage of an odd man breakout from the blueline as the Kings had trouble clearing the puck from their zone.
After a scoreless first period, Simon Watson grabbed his CHL rookie leading seventh power play goal to give the Cotton Kings a 1-0 lead. Philippe Lacasse and Trevor Weisgerber contributed with assists, setting up Watson's blast from the low point that beat Odessa netminder Mike Gorman 2:18 into the second period. Lubbock unfortunately couldn't hold the 1-0 lead through two periods of play and their record when leading after 40-minutes falls to 8-2-1.
Lubbock out-shot the Jackalopes 39-35, but Gorman was their to improve his record to 6-4-2 by making 38 saves. Perras' record drops to 4-4-0 after the hard-luck loss stopping 33 shots on goal. Both teams went 1 for 4 on the man advantage.
ROSTER CHANGES
The Cotton Kings have not made any roster moves in preparation for tonight's game, while Odessa has activated Josh Legge from IR.
STANDINGS
Kings - 21 points, tied-1st place, Southwest Division.
Jackalopes - 18 point, tied-3rd place, Southwest Division.
TEAM LEADERS
Kings - Points: 22 Simon Watson, Goals: 13 Simon Watson, Assists: 12 Kyle Nosan, Penalty Minutes: 69 Paul McBrien.
Jackalopes - Points: 24 Mike Rutter, Goals: 13 Steve Shrum, Assists: 17 Mike Rutter, Penalty Minutes: 96 Jeff Ewasko.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kings - Power play: 15.6% 11th, Penalty killing: 88.7% 3rd.
Jackalopes - Power play: 19.7% 5th, Penalty killing: 83.7% 7th.
GOALTENDERS
Kings - J.F. Perras (4-4-0, 0 SO, 2.76), Kyle Stanton (6-4-1, 1 SO, 2.97).
Jackalopes - Mike Gorman (6-5-2, 0 SO, 2.81), Derek Dolson (2-4-0, 1 SO, 2.68).
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