Game Night Preview - Memphis @ Rio Grande Valley

Published on November 19, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

Memphis RiverKings (5-8-0) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (3-6-0)

DATE: 11/19/04 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

GLAD TO BE HOME

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees return home after a grueling four-game road trip to host the Memphis RiverKings. Both teams are trying to break off losing skids, as Rio Grande Valley has lost five consecutive games and Memphis has lost four straight. Rio Grande Valley is in the midst of an 11 games in 19 days period, as tonight opens their second consecutive three-in-three weekend. The Bees host Corpus Christi Saturday night before heading to Corpus Christi to wrap up the weekend Sunday.

THE SERIES

This is the first of three meetings this season and the only match-up at the Dodge Arena between the Killer Bees and the RiverKings. Memphis leads the series 0-0-2 with a pair of overtime shootout wins, which occurred on consecutive nights at the Dodge Arena last season in December. Bill Newson has 3 points (1g,2a) in the head-to-head series to lead the Bees, while Don Parsons (2g,1a) and Jay Neal (1g,2a) each lead the ‘Kings in the series with 3 points.

THE LAST MEETING

12/27/03 -The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees started the season with an 8-0-0 record when leading after two periods of play, but it came to an end at the Dodge Arena, as the Bees lost 4-3 in an overtime shootout to the Memphis RiverKings.

The Bees were leading 3-2 going into the third period until Memphis' Brian Tucker lofted a perfect pass across the attacking zone to the tape of the stick of Alexandre Mathieu, who was crashing hard down the right slot. Mathieu poked the puck past Killer Bees goaltender Jeff Levy with 6:49 remaining to tie the game up at 3-3. The game eventually went into overtime and into the shootout. Levy stopped Memphis' first two attempts until Derek Landmesser, Jay Neal and Don Parsons each converted on their opportunities, while Chris Peach was the only Bee to get the puck past Jean Francois Racine. Parson's goal ended the game and credited the game winning goal towards Jay Neal, giving Neal a three point night (1g,2a) to lead all scorers.

Memphis opened the game with the lead 1:39 into the contest, as Don Parsons danced around Killer Bee defenders to score what was his 21st goal of the season. Killer Bees Sean Gillam and Matic Kralj each scored goals 3:39 apart to give the Bees the lead midway through the first, but the scoring for the period was not complete. RiverKings defender Jeremy Goetzinger was able to hack a deflection off of Matic Kralj's stick past Levy to tie the game 2:26 later. The Bees were able to regain the lead late in the second period as Kevin Mackie, crashing in from the blueline, received a pass from Bill Newson and fired it on Racine. Racine made the save but could not hold onto the rebound and Mackie capitalized on the opportunity. The Bees took the 3-2 lead to the locker room during the second intermission, where they were 8-0-0 with second intermission leads and had only allowed a CHL best 17 goals in the third period of play at the time.

Racine improved his record to 4-4-0 and was thrown into the starting role after starter, Mike Minard, was called up to St. John's of the American Hockey League.

ROSTER CHANGES

Rio Grande Valley reports a healthy roster, while Memphis comes in with a few roster adjustments. Earlier in the week, Memphis traded Dan MacPherson to Oklahoma City for Ryan Rome, and then yesterday activated Alan Carr from emergency leave and waived Cory Norris.

STANDINGS

Bees - 6 points, 4th place, 4 points back, Southeast Division. ‘Kings – 10 points, 3rd place, 5 points back, Northeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Jason Hawes 8 points; Jason Tessier 4 goals; Jason Hawes 7 assists; Ryan Shmyr 40 penalty minutes. ‘Kings – Don Parsons 16 points; Don Parsons 9 goals; Several tied with 9 assists; Ken Goetz 83 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 23.5% 4th, Penalty killing: 75.0% T-15th. ‘Bugs – Power play: 21.6% 5th, Penalty killing: 82.4% 9th.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (2-4-0, 0 SO, 3.85), Jacque Vezina (1-2-0, 0 SO, 3.85). ‘Kings – David Lemanowicz (3-4-0, 0 SO, 3.11), Daniel Boisclair (2-4-0, 0 SO, 3.97)

WHAT'S NEXT

Rio Grande Valley – Saturday, November 20th 7:30 PM vs. Corpus Christi Rayz Dodge Arena

Memphis – Saturday, November 20th 7:30 PM @ Laredo Bucks Laredo Entertainment Center

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2004


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