El Paso @ Lubbock Preview

Published on January 4, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

El Paso Buzzards (10-18-3) @ Lubbock Cotton Kings (14-11-5)

DATE: 1/4/02 TIME: 7:05 pm LOCATION: Lubbock Municipal Coliseum

THE WILD WEST

Tonight, the Cotton Kings host the El Paso Buzzards, which the Cotton Kings like considering the ‘Kings 8-3-1 record against division opponents (6-0-0 at home), but the Buzzards did win the last match-up 4-1 on December 27th. The Buzzards are also the only team in the Southwest Division to collect a win last night, defeating the San Angelo Saints 4-3, while Odessa lost in Corpus Christi (5-1), New Mexico lost in Amarillo (5-1), and the Cotton Kings lost in Laredo (4-1). This is the only home contest for the ‘Kings this weekend, as the ‘Kings head to New Mexico for a Sunday tilt.

THE SERIES

This is the fifth meeting of the season between El Paso and Lubbock, and the 35th overall regular season meeting all-time. Lubbock leads the all-time series with a 20-11-3 record. The ‘Kings' Derek Holland and Jan Melichercik lead season series in scoring each with 5 points. The Buzzards season series leader is Josh Tymchak with 4 points (1g,3a) and former El Paso star Jeremy Vanin is the Buzzards all-time leader in scoring against Lubbock with 23 points (14g,9a), while Cotton Kings forward Jan Melichercik registers as the all-time leading scorer against El Paso with 22 points off of 9 goals and 13 assists in 21 games. Buzzards defenseman Jason Tessier is the Buzzards active leader against Lubbock with 21 points (3g,18a) in 23 games. THE LAST MEETING

El Paso top goal scorer, Russ Guzior, planted the game's first goal on a Lubbock power play and fellow forward Jeremy Vokes did likewise as the Buzzards ripped off their third straight win, out-manning the Cotton Kings in a 4-1 victory at the El Paso County Coliseum. The Buzzards scored their seventh and eighth shorthanded goals of the season, missing a ninth by a mere whisker when Jeff Scharf's penalty shot was kicked out by Lubbock's Jure Penko. Guzior provided that hard work nine minutes into the game, faking a slap shot to split two Cotton King defenders before sliding a wrister between Penko's legs for a 1-0 lead. Clinging to that lead late in the second period, Jeremy Vokes stole a pass in the defensive end, passed himself the puck off the right sideboards and fed linemate Troy Linna cross-ice before taking the return pass for a top-shelf goal and a 2-0 edge. Lubbock got within 2-1 three minutes into the third, but Buzzards forward Derrell Upton calmed the 3,148 in attendance, stealing the puck, headmanning it to Bob Rapoza for the defenseman's first goal as a Buzzard. Upton added his 11th goal less than three minutes later, cutting hard to the Lubbock net to convert Josh Tymchak's steal and pass for an insurmountable 4-1 advantage

ROSTER CHANGES

Lubbock is without goaltender Neil Savary (knee) and defensemen Craig Binns (knee) and Derek Holland (knee), who each remain on the injured reserve list. The ‘Kings are also without Anthony Donskov, who is listed Day-To-Day with a shoulder injury. El Paso lists a healthy roster.

STANDINGS

‘Kings - 33 points, 2nd place, 13 points back, Southwest Division. Buzzards – 23 points, 4th place, 23 points back, Southwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS

‘Kings – Blaz Emersic 35 points; Blaz Emersic 14 goals; Blaz Emersic 21 assists; Dave Ambler 96 penalty minutes. Buzzards – Jeff Scharf 33 points; Russ Guzior 16 goals; Rhett Dudley 20 assists; Josh Tymchak 186 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

‘Kings – Power play: 11.5% (20/174), 16th, Penalty killing: 83.0% (137/165) 11th. Buzzards – 14.2% (25/176) 11th, Penalty killing: 77.5% (158/204) 14th.

GOALTENDERS

‘Kings – Mike Brusseau (13-10-4, 3 SO, 2.71), Jure Penko (1-1-1, 0 SO, 3.75). Buzzards – Blaine Russell (5-2-1, 1 SO, 2.93), Matt Carmichael (5-14-2, 0 SO, 3.18)

WHAT'S NEXT

Lubbock – Sunday, January 5 4:00 PM @ New Mexico Tingley Coliseum El Paso – Sunday, January 5 4:00 PM vs Amarillo Gorillas El Paso County

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