NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Cotton Kings Weekly Notes

March 21, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


The Lubbock Cotton Kings lost consecutive 5-1 outcomes last week and had their winless streak extended to three consecutive games after losses at Arizona on Wednesday and to Tulsa at home Friday, but closed out the week with a 4-3 overtime win over the Southwest Division leading New Mexico Scorpions to remain four standing points behind the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for the final playoff spot in the CHL's Southern Conference. Lubbock is running out of time on the season if they want to surge past Odessa and Rio for the final spot, as the regular season wraps up this weekend for the Kings with just three games remaining. The Cotton Kings have not been mathematically eliminated, but must win their three remaining games and get some help from Austin, who plays two games against the Killer Bees. Lubbock needs Austin to win both in regulation for them to keep from being eliminated. If Rio Grande Valley obtains at least one standing points in their remaining games, it would eliminate the Kings playoff chances. For the Kings, they play at Colorado Wednesday and then play Odessa Friday in Odessa before wrapping up

WHAT'S LEFT

Let's take a look at what remains for Lubbock, Odessa and Rio Grande Valley, as the teams fight for the last playoff spot in the Southern Conference:

ODESSA RIO GRANDE VALLEY LUBBOCK GAME OPP. WP GAME OPP. WP GAME OPP. WP

vs. AMA 54.1 vs. LAR 70.2 @ COL 73

vs. LUB 44.3 vs. AUS 45 @ ODE 45.1

@ AMA 54.1 @ AUS 45 vs. AMA 54.1 50.8 53.4 57.4

The "OPP.WP" column represents the winning percentage (as of March 19th) of the remaining opponents, with the total representing the average winning percentage of the remaining opponents. Lubbock faces the toughest remaining schedule, while Odessa faces the easiest schedule based on the average winning percentage of the opponent.

CMN IS SEEING WHAT BROWN CAN DO FOR THEM

Back during the inaugural 1999/2000 season of Lubbock Cotton Kings hockey, Kings forward Bobby Brown involved himself in charity functions with the Children's Miracle Network (CMN). Brown returned back to Lubbock with the Kings last season and this season he formed the "Goals for Kids" program by once again teaming up with CMN. Bobby's objective was to make a contribution towards the Children's Miracle Network and invite other parties to join him and donate as well to CMN for each goal Brown scores this season. So far, over $200 is donated to CMN for each goal Brown scores, and with 22 goals, Brown has already exceeded over $4,000. Prior to the game Saturday night, Brown and all the joining donors will present a check to CMN of the overall amount raised.

Here is a list of the individuals and business that have joined Bobby Brown and have made contributions to the "Goals for Kids" program this season:

Andy Mears City Bank Doug Halcomb Dr. Brian Norkiewicz Dr. Jimmy Lovering Kim Britz Mr. & Mrs. Gary Greenstreet Sherhonda Ginn Stacey Bauman Texas Roadhouse

Its not too late to contribute to the "Goals for Kids" program, and individuals seeking additional information to contribute can contact Stacey O'Brien at 747-7825.

HANGING WITH THE STARS

Former Lubbock Cotton Kings Captain Paul Fioroni might be doing some name-dropping this week after hanging out with some NHL legends Saturday night in Frisco. Another former Cotton Kings forward Adam Robbins contacted Fioroni to join him to fill a roster spot in the third annual Pros vs. Prospects III Tornado Charity Classic. The event was highlighted by not only the Hanson Brothers from Slapshot fame, but by NHL great Mark Messier playing against (and eventually with) his son Lyon Messier. The Pros won 6-5 in a shootout and Fioroni, playing for the Pros team coached by Brett Hull, played on the same line as the Hanson Brothers and then played on a line with Robbins and Messier. Fioroni practiced with the Kings to remove some rust off last week and it paid off as he registered a goal in the event.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FANS AND PLAYERS

Sunday: Join the Lubbock Cotton Kings for an afternoon of fun and entertainment. Come out to Fan Fest to celebrate the season and mingle with players. Look for lots of fun including player and mascot appearances, autographs, partner displays, interactive games, pictures with players and on the ice resurfacing machine, prizes and refreshments. It all takes place from 2-5 PM this Sunday at City Bank's Main location at 5219 City Bank Pkwy!

Monday: The final scheduled event with players and fans for this season will be held at Chick-fil-A on 69th and Slide for a Fan Appreciation Party on Monday March 26th from 5 to 7pm. Fans are encouraged to come for food, fun, autographs, door prizes and more.

THE WIENERSCHNITZEL TOP DOG OF THE WEEK

Each week, a member of the Cotton Kings is selected as the "Wienerschnitzel Top Dog of the Week" for their performance in the previous week's games, and this week's recipient for their effort last week is forward Patrick Levesque. The first-year Kings member nabbed a point in each of the Cotton Kings three games last week, combining for a goal and two assists. Levesque assisted on the Kings lone goals in losses on Wednesday (at Arizona) and Friday (vs. Tulsa)and then opened Saturday night's 4-3 overtime win over New Mexico with a goal. The Trois Rivieres, Quebec native has produced points in four of the last five games and consecutively in the last three games.

THIS WEEK'S "INSIDE THE NUMBERS"

1 -Game - Saturday night's 4-3 overtime win over New Mexico saw a lot of firsts for a couple of Kings individuals. Marc Bianchi scored the overtime game winning goal for his first game winning goal, overtime goal and first goal of the 2007 calendar year. Anthony Feyock was making his first professional start and earned his first pro win.

3 - Points Away - Anders Strome is 3 points away from 200 career points.

84 -122 - Goals Allowed - Lubbock has allowed just 84 goals home ice which is tied for the third best on home ice, but they have allowed 122 on the road, which ranks 14th in the CHL.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Mar. 14 @ Arizona L 1-5 Top Star: ARZ - Cory Stillman (2 goals)

Mar. 16 vs. Tulsa L 1-5 Top Star: TUL - Bill Newson (2 SH goals)

Mar. 18 vs. New Mexico W (ot) 4-3 Top Star: LUB - Marc Bianchi (GW goal)

WEEK AHEAD

Wed. Mar. 21 8:05 pm @ Colorado Eagles

Radio: KKAM 1340 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: It is the third and final meeting of the season between the two clubs and the second of two visits to the Budweiser Events Center for the Cotton Kings. Colorado has a perfect 2-0-0 series record against the Kings this season. Craig Minard leads Lubbock this season in the series with 2 assists, while Ryan Tobler (1g,5a) and Ed McGrane (4g,2a) each lead the Eagles and the series with 6 points. It is the 17th meeting all-time between the two clubs and Colorado has an all-time series mark of 12-2-2, while Lubbock is 4-11-1 in the all-time series. Colorado's Ryan Tobler is the all-time series leader offensively with 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points. Lubbock's all-time leader against Colorado is former members Jan Melichercik (2g,6a) and Paul Fioroni (3g,5a), who each had 8 points.

Fri. Mar. 23 7:00 pm @ Odessa Jackalopes

Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: Lubbock is making their fifth and final trip of the season to Odessa to face the Jackalopes, and it marks the 79th meeting all-time. Odessa, who owns the all-time regular season series with a 51-22-6 record, is 5-2-2 this season against the Kings. Lubbock is 28-45-6 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 (3g,8a), leads the Kings in this season's series with 11 points, while Mike Rutter (4g,9a) leads the Jackalopes this season against Lubbock with 13 points.

Sat. Mar. 24 7:05 pm vs. Amarillo Gorillas

Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: Lubbock closes out the regular season at home for "Fan Appreciation Night" with the Cotton Kings hosting their I-27 rival Amarillo Gorillas. The game marks the 11th meetings on the year, the fifth in Lubbock and the 85th all-time meeting. Lubbock brings in a 46-26-12 all-time series record and Amarillo brings a 38-40-6 all-time series mark. Lubbock leads the season series 6-4-0 and has already clinched the season series. The Kings are led by Simon Watson and Kyle Nosan, who each have 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in the series. The Gorillas are led by Bill Vandermeer, who has 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points in the series. Former King Jan Melichercik (10g,34a) has 44 points against Amarillo to stand as the all-time leader in scoring against Amarillo for the Kings. Amarillo's all-time leader in scoring against Lubbock is Gorilla Derek Hahn, who has 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Lubbock Cotton Kings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central