Iguanas enjoy new surroundings

by CHL Press Release
Published on November 27, 2001 under Central Hockey League (CHL)

CHL Press Release

When the Central and Western Professional Hockey Leagues merged on May 30th of this year, the benefits of operating as a single entity were numerous, and the new geographical structure of the Central Hockey League would immediately aid several teams. Most notably affected by the CHL's revised structure were the San Antonio Iguanas, who have reaped the benefits of a much friendlier travel schedule to start the season with an impressive record of 11-5-0.

Last year, only two of the Iguanas' opponents were within 500 miles of San Antonio, creating many difficult road trips throughout the year. This season, the Iguanas face-off against eight teams closer than 500 miles, including Southeast Division rivals Austin (80), Corpus Christi (143) and San Angelo (212). To suggest that the Iguanas success this year has been solely due to improved travel would be insulting, but it certainly has helped San Antonio, who suffered a deciding game 5 overtime loss against the eventual champion Oklahoma City Blazers last season in the CHL playoff semi-finals.

San Antonio Coach Chris Stewart has assembled a team that he hopes can take the next step this season. The Iguanas lead the CHL in goals for (69), and have three players (Blair Manning, Johnny Brdarovic and Scott Green, the CHL's Player of the Week) among the CHL's top twenty scorers. Despite their obvious offensive prowess, San Antonio should hardly be considered a finesse team. In fact, the Iguanas' 635 penalty minutes also leads the CHL. On special teams, San Antonio's power play and penalty killing units both are among the CHL's top 5, and goaltender Brent Belecki has been tremendous in net, posting a goals against average of 2.55 while recording eight wins.

Still, despite San Antonio's remarkable start to the 2001-2002 season, they find themselves in second place in the Southeast Division behind Austin, a game better at 12-4-0. The Ice Bats have claimed two of three head-to-head contests with the Iguanas this season. Tonight in San Antonio, the Iguanas host Austin with a chance to not only even their record with the 'Bats, but to claim a share of the divisional lead. Whatever tonight's outcome, expect the CHL's two closest teams geographically, the Iguanas and Ice Bats, to remain just as close in the standings throughout the season.

CHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Scott Green - San Antonio Iguanas
#:      9
HT:     6-0
WT:     195
D.O.B.: 08/26/70

Green, a native of Richmond, British Columbia, established a CHL season-high by scoring six points against the San Angelo Outlaws November 24th. Green's two-goal, four-assist performance in the 9-3 victory moves him into the CHL's top 20 in scoring, with 10 goals and 9 assists this season.

GP:  3
G:   3
A:   4
PTS: 7

CHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Sebastien Centomo - Memphis RiverKings
#:      39
HT:     6-1
WT:     196
D.O.B.: 03/26/81

The RiverKings have been one the CHL's most dominant teams this season, in large part due to their tremendous goaltending tandem of Sebastien Centomo and Mark Richards. This week Centomo, a Toronto Maple Leafs assignee, won three contests, making 75 saves while allowing just four goals against.

GP:   3  MIN:      160:00
GA:   4  SAVE %:   .949
Wins: 3  Losses:   0
SOL:  0  ShutOuts: 0

CHL QUOTABLES

Dale Henry, Corpus Christi IceRays Coach (November 25th, 2001, In The Crease)

"I played here for four years and won three championships. I went to battle with some of the guys who are still with the team and I can't help but have mixed emotions. I feel like I am still part of the Mudbugs club, and it's tough to come back here as a coach."

(Following the IceRays 4-3 win in Bossier-Shreveport, preceded by a special ceremony retiring Henry's # 19 jersey in the rafters of the CenturyTel Center.)

Joe Ferras, Amarillo Rattlers Coach (November 25th, 2001, Amarillo Globe News)

"This was just a great effort by the guys. This was by far our best weekend of the season and now they hopefully can start believing in themselves. The game is so much mental. You can start doubting yourself after a few losses. But not now."

(Following Amarillo's two victories in a home and home series with the powerhouse Oklahoma City Blazers.)

Jason Clarke, Fort Worth Brahmas Forward (November 25th, 2001, San Angelo Standard-Times)

"I enjoyed it here, they have great fans. If they boo me - I hope they do, I hope they have fun with it. I'm looking forward to it. To a point, it's fun."

(Commenting on returning to San Angelo to face the Outlaws, where he played the 1997/1998 season)

Johnny Brdarovic, San Antonio Igianas Forward (November 26th, 2001, San Antonio Express-News)

"If there was one guy who you could kind of watch for a couple games and say that he's going to make it to the next level, in my opinion, it would be Henry. He does everything so well, and on top of that he's a really good team guy."

(Commenting on teammate Henry Kuster, one of the CHL's top all-around players.)

Central Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2001

• Iguanas enjoy new surroundings - OSC Original by CHL Press Release

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