Killer Bees Game Night

Published on November 20, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Wednesday, Nov. 21 vs. New Mexico

Friday, Nov. 23 at Texas

Saturday, Nov. 24 at Corpus Christi

TODAY'S GAME

The Killer Bees (5-5-2, 10 pts.) face off against the New Mexico Scorpions (7-5-1, 15pts) for the first time this season. RGV holds the No. 2 spot in the Southeast Division and is unbeaten in regulation in three games (2-0-1). The Bees earned two wins over divisional rivals Austin (5-2) and Corpus Christi (6-4) last weekend. New Mexico holds the third spot in the Southwest Division and is just two points off the division lead shared by Odessa and Arizona. The Scorpions have won three in a row and six of seven, including a 5-4 victory over Arizona on Sunday.

OVERVIEW

Rio maintains the No. 2 spot in the Southeast Division by a six-point margin over Austin and six points over Corpus Christi. With last weekend's wins and a pair of Laredo losses, the Bees now sit 10 points behind the Bucks for the top spot in the division.

After tonight's game, the Bees travel to Fort Worth to face the Texas Brahmas on Friday, then visit Corpus Christi on Saturday. The three-game road swing continues Tuesday at Laredo before the Bees return home to battle the Bucks on Friday.

In the month of November, the Bees play nine games against Southeast Division rivals (LAR-5, CRP-3, AUS-1), the second-highest total this season. March is when they face 10 divisional games (AUS-5, LAR- 3, CRP-2). November is also the busiest month of the season for Rio; they'll pack 13 games into 30 days. The Bees play a three-in-four stretch later this month (Nov. 21-24) and wrap up the month with the first game of a three-in-three (Nov. 30-Dec. 2).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* Goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten earned the Oakley CHL Goalie of the Week Award for the period ending Nov. 18. Van Nynatten made 51 saves, including a franchise record 27 in the second period alone, in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss at Laredo. He then posted back-to-back wins in games vs. Austin and Corpus Christi on Friday and Saturday. For the week, Van Nynatten stopped 124 of 133 shots in 180 minutes played (.932 save percentage, 3.00 goals against average).

* Rob Voltera (3-4-7), Travis Banga (1-3-4) and Dennis Maxwell (3-4-7) enter this week's action with four-game scoring streaks. David Masse (2-3-5) has points in three of four games.

* Upcoming Player Milestones - 200th goal - Dennis Maxwell (2 needed), 100th goal - David Masse (8th goal - 3 needed), 400th game - Jeremy Van Hoof (18th game - 6 needed)

* Lance Herauf had two assists in his first game as a Bee on Friday, then and added another Saturday.

* The Bees dealt D Mike Looby to Tulsa last Wednesday in exchange for LW Lance Herauf. Herauf played 10 games for the Oilers this season and posted two goals and an assist. Last season with New Mexico, he had 58 points (20-38-58) and finished with a plus-21 rating. A total of 14 of his points (2-12-14) came via the power play. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Balgonie, Saskatchewan, native was one of six finalists for the CHL Rookie of the Year award last season.

* The Bees had Saturday, Nov. 10, off and used the morning to help distribute 1500 car seats to those in need. Rio has one more Saturday off (Dec. 22). They have one Friday off (Jan. 25); besides those days, the team plays every Friday and Saturday during the regular season.

* The Bees went 2-1-1 in October. All time in October they've posted a 13-5-3 (3 SOL) record with an 8-3-1 record at home.

* Historically in November, the Bees are 17-27-3 (0 SOL) all time including marks of 9-15-3 at home and 8-12-0 on the road. So far this year they are 3-4-1.

* Rio's all time record stands at 117-120-27 (16 SOL) (264 games played).

BROADCAST INFO

Wednesday Radio: none (Internet only, Rich Bocchini) TV: none

Friday Radio: KURV 710 Talk Radio (Rich Bocchini) TV: none

Saturday Radio: KURV 710 Talk Radio (Rich Bocchini) TV: none

Internet Audio: killerbeehockey.com via allinbroadcasting.com Internet Video: CHL Network (www.nifty-tv.com/chl) Listen in the Arena: 93.5 FM Email contact during broadcasts: radio@killerbeehockey.com

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from November 20, 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.

OurSports Central