Killer Bees game notes

Published on February 8, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME

The Killer Bees (20-18-3, 43 pts) will try to snap a season-high six-game losing streak tonight against the Laredo Bucks (29-11-3, 61 pts). This is the third meeting in a row between the two clubs and the 12th of 14 meetings overall. Laredo won last weekend's games by 3-1 and 6-1 finals. The Bucks hold the top spot in the Southern Conference, while the Bees and Amarillo are tied with 43 points for fourth place in the Conference.

QUICK HITS

- The Killer Bees are just 1-6-2 in their last nine road games dating back to a 3-2 OTL at Austin. Their last road win was a 3-2 shootout victory at Corpus Christi on Jan. 13.

RADIO/TV

Radio: ESPN 1240 (6:45 p.m.), audio stream available at killerbeehockey.com (audio/video stream at CHLTV.COM when available)

Tune in all season long on ESPN 1240 to follow the Bees home and away. Rich Bocchini has the call beginning 15 minutes prior to faceoff. Email your comments and questions to killerbeesradio@yahoo.com. Selected emails will be answered during the second intermission.

SEASON SERIES

- The Bees are 5-6-0 vs. the Bucks and have picked up two 5-4 overtime wins (Nov. 19, Dec. 18)...Rio Grande Valley is 1-4-0 at the Laredo Entertainment Center...Laredo has won the last three games...The teams close out the season series with a kid's day game at Laredo (March 1) and a Tuesday night battle in Hidalgo (March 21).

ALL TIME SERIES

The Killer Bees are 13-21-1 vs. Laredo all time.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE Friday, February 10 vs. Amarillo, 7:30 p.m. (Radio: ESPN 1240) presented by T-Mobile, first 2,500 fans receive Thunderstix.

Sunday, February 12 vs. Corpus Christi, 6:00 p.m. (Radio: ESPN 1240) presented by MS Healthcare.

Tuesday, February 14 at Oklahoma City, 10:35 a.m. (Radio: ESPN 1240)

Friday, February 17 vs. Corpus Christi, 7:30 p.m. (Radio: ESPN 1240), presented by RGV Ice Center/Subway, first 1,500 fans receive a team trading card set courtesy of Hughes and Associates.

Saturday, February 18 vs. Youngstown, 7:30 p.m. (Radio: ESPN 1240) presented by Obra Homes, first 2,500 fans receive Thunderstix.

TONIGHT'S OPPONENT

Laredo started off the season 1-4-0 and has gone 28-7-3 since then, including an 11-1-1 November...The Bucks are an impressive 25-2-2 when scoring first, 16-0-1 when leading after the first period and 21-0-1 when leading after two...Laredo's 15 shorthanded goals leads the CHL...The Bucks have had two former players called up to the NHL in the past two weeks. Forward Petr Taticek, who played in Laredo last season, was called up to the Florida Panthers on Jan. 20. Dave Gove, who played for the Bucks in the 2002-03 season, was called up by the Carolina Hurricanes.

TEAM NOTES

TEAM GOALS AGAINST THIRD IN CHL

The Killer Bees have allowed the third fewest goals (124) in the CHL. Only Bossier-Shreveport (110) and Laredo (107) have allowed fewer. Rio's 3.02 team GAA is fifth in the league.

TOUGH STRETCH

The Killer Bees went 2-6-2 in games 31-40, their worst 10-game stretch of the season. They were outscored 27-17 and managed just five power play goals on 65 chances. They set a season-high with a six-game road winless skid from Jan. 14-Feb.3 (0-5-1). By comparison, the team went 9-1-0 in games 21-30.

CONFERENCE CALL

The Killer Bees are 16-11-2 vs. Southern Conference teams and 4-7-1 vs. Northern Conference clubs.

BEES SOLID IN ONE-GOAL GAMES

The Killer Bees are 9-5-3 in one-goal games.

FIRST GOAL IS THE GOAL

The Killer Bees are 14-1-1 when scoring first and 6-17-2 when allowing the first goal.

COMEBACK NOW?

With a record of 0-16-0, the Bees have yet to come back from trailing after the second period. They are only marginally better (1-10-1) when trailing after the first, earning a point in an overtime loss to Colorado. Rio's 4-1 win over Corpus Christi on Dec. 16 marked the first time the team came back from trailing after the first period to win. On the road, the Bees are 0-8-0 trailing after the first and 0-11-0 trailing after two.

ONE, TWO THREE.....WE WANT FOUR!

The Killer Bees are a perfect 16-0-0 when scoring four or more goals and 4-0 when scoring six or more. When scoring three or fewer goals, the record is just 4-15-3.

HOME, SWEET HOME

The Bees have won seven of their last nine home games dating back to Dec. 11. Their four-game home winning streak was snapped Dec. 27 vs. Laredo in a 3-1 final.

MONTH BY MONTH

The Bees got off to the best start in franchise history, going 4-1-0 in October. After a tough November (3-7-1), the Killer Bees went 9-3-0 in December and went 4-5-2 in January. They are 0-2-0 in February so far.

BEES STRONG AT HOLDING LEADS

At 16-1-1 when leading after two periods, the Bees have been strong with the lead. They are 8-0-1 on the road when leading after 40 minutes, and 6-0-0 on the road leading after the first.

NEW FRANCHISE ROAD-WINNING STREAK

The Killer Bees set a new franchise record with their fourth consecutive road win Dec. 30 at Fort Worth. The previous mark of three in a row last occurred Feb. 15-21, 2004.

BEES SET FRANCHISE WINNING STREAK

With a 5-4 win in overtime on Dec. 18, the Bees set a new franchise streak with five wins in a row. They extended the streak to six games overall with a 5-1 win at Corpus Christi on Dec. 23 The team had two previous win streaks of four wins in a row, most recently Feb. 15-21, 2004.

ALL TIME SHOTS RECORD SET

The Killer Bees broke another franchise record Dec. 31 by firing 55 shots at Fort Worth's Larry Sterling. The previous mark of 54 happened Jan. 6, 2005 vs. Odessa. The teams combined for 93 shots (a Bees record) and fell eight shots short of the CHL season high of 102 set by Colorado and Odessa on Oct. 22.

SHOTS AND EVEN MORE SHOTS

The Killer Bees have managed 22 shots on goal in a period twice this season (Nov. 15 at Corpus Christi and Dec. 18 vs. Laredo). The franchise record for shots in a period is 27 set Jan. 6, 2005 vs. Odessa. On Dec. 31, the Bees allowed a season-high 19 shots in the first period vs. Fort Worth as the teams combined for a season and franchise-high 40 shots.

BEES AND RAYZ COMBINE FOR PIM HIGH

The Bees and Corpus Christi Rayz combined for 112 PIM on Dec. 23, the most this season between the Bees and an opponent. Ryan Shmyr set a team high with 26 PIM, while the Rayz' Shawn Legault racked up 29 PIM. That included three major penalties, the most in the CHL this season. Wichita holds the league-high for team PIM in a game this season with 134 (5-4 loss vs. Oklahoma City on Dec. 27), while the Thunder's Chris Bain (Wichita) had the distinction of having a league-high 40 PIM assessed during that game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

POWER PLAY (15.77%)

The Killer Bees are eighth in the CHL with 50 power play goals for...They are 0-for-21 in the last four games...The team went 5-for-65 (7.69%) in games 31-40 after going 16-for-87 (18.39%) in games 21-30...The Killer Bees set a franchise record with four power play goals Dec. 10 at Austin and matched that performance Dec. 31 vs. Fort Worth...Daymen Bencharski (8) and Trevor Weisgerber (7) lead the team in power play goals.

PENALTY KILLING (85.24%)

The Killer Bees have allowed the fewest power play goals in the CHL (41) while they are third with10 shorthanded goals...RGV has killed off 12 of the last 14 power play chances over the last three games, and 39 of 45 over the last eight (86.6%)...The team has been shorthanded just 271 times, second least in the CHL...The penalty kill went 8-for-53 (84.9%) in games 31-40 after going 6-for-67 (91.04%) in games 21-30... They broke a franchise record Dec. 31 vs. Fort Worth with their ninth SHG...Trevor Weisgerber (3), Bobby Davis and Daymen Bencharski (2) lead the team in SHG.

NEW POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITES HIGH SET

The Killer Bees went 3-for-14 on the power play Dec. 23 at Corpus Christi and tied a franchise high set Feb. 14, 2004 vs. Laredo when the Bees went 2-for-14 on the man advantage. It eclipses the season-high of 12 power play chances, set Dec. 17 at Laredo when the Bees went 2-for-12.

FRANCHISE POWER PLAY GOALS RECORD SET, AGAIN

A four-goal night on the power play set a franchise record Dec. 10 at Austin. The Bees matched the output Dec. 31 vs. Fort Worth, going 4-for-13. The Bees have scored three power play goals numerous times, including a three-goal performance on Dec. 3 at home vs. the Ice Bats and a 3-for-14 night Dec. 30 at Fort Worth.

GOALIE NOTES

LINDSAY AMONG GOALIE WINS LEADERS, FINALLY GETS THE GOOSE EGG

Evan Lindsay's 16 wins are fifth in the CHL. He earned his first shutout of the season Jan. 7 vs. Corpus Christi with 24 saves. His closest shutout bid prior to that was ended with Derrick McIver's goal with only 19 seconds in regulation at Corpus Christi on Dec. 23.

LINDSAY THE WORKHORSE

Evan Lindsay has started six of the last seven games and four in a row, going 1-5-0. This season he has made 35 or more saves in eight games and set a franchise record with 48 saves vs. Colorado in a 2-1 OTL on Nov. 11.

LINDSAY EARNS GOALIE OF THE WEEK NOD, WEEK 12

Evan Lindsay was named the Oakley CHL Goalie of the Week after earning two wins the weekend of Jan. 6 and 7. The Bees edged Austin 4-3 in OT on Lindsay's 29 saves and Kurtis Dulle's OT winner. Lindsay made 24 saves in a 1-0 win over Corpus Christi the following night.

TOUGH-LUCK T-BAR

Terry Dunbar is 0-1-2 in his last three outings despite allowing just six goals and making 81 saves over that stretch.

DUNBAR GETS EARLY BIRTHDAY GIFT

Terry Dunbar (DOB 12/31/79) earned his fourth win of the season and second in a row with 23 saves just hours before turning 26 at Forth Worth on Dec. 30.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

EGELAND WINS AS HE REACHES 200 PRO GAMES AS HEAD COACH

Tracy Egeland earned a win in his 200th pro game as a head coach on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. The Bees edged Corpus Christi in a shootout 3-2 at American Bank Center.

KUCZMANSKI IN, ROSYCHUK OUT

Jason Kuczmanski has been activated from the Injured Reserve list and Nathan Rosychuk has been placed on the 45-day Injured Reserve list retroactive to Saturday, January 7. Kuczmanski had been on the shelf since Nov. 15 with a shoulder injury. In 10 games prior to his injury, the rookie out of SUNY-Geneseo had two goals. Rosychuk will be eligible for assignment on Monday, February 20. In 26 games this season, he has 18 points (2-16-18) including a power play tally.

BENCHARSKI BAGS A PAIR IN ALL-STAR GAME; LINDSAY SAW A SHOT PER MINUTE

Center Daymen Bencharski, a starter in the Obra Homes CHL 2006 All Star Game at Dodge Arena, bagged two goals in the South's 10-9 shootout loss to the North. Evan Lindsay saw nearly a shot per minute (26 saves, 31 shots in 35:29).

SMITH REACHES 250 PRO GAMES

Darcy Smith appeared in his 250th pro game Sunday, Jan. 8 at Austin. Already this season, he has surpassed career highs with three goals and 13 points (previous highs 2-10-12).

KRALJ HAS KNACK FOR BIG GOALS

Matic Kralj's game-winner in the shootout Jan. 13 at Corpus Christi was his third of the season. He has been involved in four overtime/shootout-winners, scoring vs. Laredo (Nov. 19), setting up an Aaron Phillips overtime goal with a clean faceoff win on Dec. 18, and scoring in the above mentioned shootout. He scored the game-tying goal Jan. 6 vs. Austin.

MUSHALUK AMONG ROOKIE LEADERS

Jeff Mushaluk is among CHL rookie scoring leaders with 19 points (3-16-19).

WEISGERBER SETS FRANCHISE ASSIST STREAK

Trevor Weisgerber's assist on Daymen Bencharski's goal Dec. 23 at Corpus Christi set a new franchise-high for consecutive games with an assist. The streak was broken Dec. 27 vs. Laredo in a 3-1 loss. Weisgerber's six-game streak eclipsed the five-game mark set by Joe Guenther in 2004.

INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS SET DEC. 30

Dwayne Hay set a personal high water mark with a four-point game (1-3-4) at Fort Worth on Dec. 30, while Matic Kralj matched Hay and his own personal season-high. Kralj had two goals and two assists back on Oct. 29 at Austin. Aaron Phillips chipped in with a three-point night (1-2-3), his second of the season. Matt Medley's two-goal night was the rookie defenseman's first multi-point game of the season.

TRANSACTIONS

01/22/06 , DEL Gajda, Tyson (G) waived

01/22/06 , ADD Dunbar, Terry (G) activated from leave by league

01/18/06 , DEL Dunbar, Terry (G) granted leave by league

01/18/06 , ADD Gajda, Tyson (G) signed contract

01/10/06 , ADD Kuczmanski, Jason (F) activated from IR

01/08/06 , ADD Shmyr, Ryan (RW) activated from suspension

01/07/06 , DEL Rosychuk, Nathan (LW) placed on 45 day IR

12/28/05 , DEL Shmyr, Ryan (RW) placed on league suspension for 5 games

12/16/05 , ADD Kralj, Matic (C) activated from IR

11/20/05 , DEL Kralj, Matic (C) placed on 14 day IR

11/16/05 , ADD Cherneski, Phil (LW) signed contract

11/15/05 , DEL Kuczmanski, Jason (F) placed on 45 day IR

11/11/05 , ADD Rosychuk, Nathan (LW) activated from IR

11/05/05 , ADD Phillips, Aaron (RW) activated from suspension

11/02/05 , DEL Phillips, Aaron (RW) placed on league suspension for 1 game

10/28/05 , DEL Rosychuk, Nathan (LW) placed on 14 day IR

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2006


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