Killer Bees game notes

November 25, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


The Bees (7-5-1, 15 pts.) travel to Memphis to face the Riverkings (8-3-2, 18 pts.) on the heels of their second consecutive 3-0 shutout of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Rio remains in third place in the Southeast Division thanks to Corpus Christi earning a shootout point at Youngstown. The Bees sit one point behind the Rayz and four points behind first place Laredo, which lost in overtime to Oklahoma City last night. Memphis has dropped two in a row and is now one point behind Youngstown in the Northeast Division race. The Kings fell 3-1 to Wichita last night and scored their only goal (Ryan Campbell) on a penalty shot.

BROADCAST INFO

Radio: ESPN 1240 (Rich Bocchini)

Internet: Live Audio at killerbeehockey.com; audio/video stream at chltv.com

TV: none

TONIGHT'S OPPONENT

Prior to Friday night's game with the Wichita Thunder, the Memphis RiverKings signed goalie Brad Buss to a five game contract. The team required the second year Buss' services with goalie Ben Conway being slowed by a groin injury that has forced him to miss practice this week. .. Forward Darrell Stoddard had a career high 5-game point streak. He has 2 goals and 6 assists during the streak...Defenseman Jason Tessier had a career high matching 4 game assist streak entering this weekend's games. He had also registered at least one point in 6 of the last 7 games.

TEAM VS. TEAM

ALL TIME SERIES

Rio is 2-4-0-2 (2-1-0-2 at home, 0-3-0-0 on the road).

SEASON SERIES

First of three meetings...only meeting at Memphis...Kings come to Hidalgo Feb. 16 and March 18.

LAST MEETING

Sat. March 18, 2006

Rio won 7-3 at Dodge Arena. The Bees went 4-for-7 on the power play while Bill Newson posted four points (1-3-4).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

November 25 -- 7:05 PM at Memphis Riverkings

November 28 -- 7:00 PM at Laredo Bucks

December 1 -- 7:30 PM Corpus Christi

December 2 -- 7:05 PM at Corpus Christi

December 3 -- 4:00 PM at Austin

NOTES OF THE NIGHT

- The Bees play four of their next five games (including tonight) away from the Dodge Arena.

- With a pair of 3-0 shutouts over Bossier-Shreveport on Nov. 22 and 24, Rio strung together shutouts for the first time since Dec. 5 and 6, 2003. The Bees beat Fort Worth 2-0 and Corpus Christi 1-0, then went on to lose the next two games 2-0 and 3-0 to Colorado and Laredo.

- Jeremy Symington's string of scoreless hockey is at 121:34. Jacque Vezina holds the franchise record of 149:19 minutes without allowing a goal set during the 2003-04 season.

- The Bees have killed off 44 of its last 45 shorthanded situations, including 24-straight over two games (Nov. 16 at Odessa and 17 vs. New Mexico). Arizona snapped the string on its' fourth power play of the game on Nov. 18.

- Jeremy Symington's 1.78 GAA is tops in the CHL.

- The Bees have scored a power play goal in all but three games this season. They went 1-for-6 last night.

TRANSACTIONS

11/17/06 ADD Symington, Jeremy (G) signed

11/17/06 DEL Blanchard, Mathieu (G) waived

11/14/06 DEL Hult, Alexander (C) waived

11/14/06 ADD Looby, Mike (D) signed contract

11/11/06 ADD Looby, Mike (D) claimed off waivers

11/09/06 ADD Voltera, Rob (RW) signed contract

11/06/06 DEL Faris, Mark (RW) waived

10/27/06 ADD OLeary, Mark (LW) signed contract

10/27/06 DEL Bickel, Ted (F) waived

KILLER BEES GOALIE NOTES

Symington

- Signed with Rio on Nov. 17 after beginning the season with Youngstown.

- Went 2-0 with the Steelhounds, winning two games at Memphis opening weekend.

- Earned first Bees win in a 34-save, 3-0 shutout of Bossier-Shreveport on Nov. 22. Followed that up with another 3-0 shutout (31 saves) two nights later at Bossier.

- Has played five games in the AHL with the top affiliate of the Ottawa Senators (Binghamton) where he went 3-1-1

- Went to the CHL finals with Laredo in 2005 after a solid regular season that saw him post an 18-10-1 record with a 2.39 GAA. He was also a CHL All-Star in 2005.

- Was an eight round draft selection of the NY Islanders in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

- Attended St. Lawrence University from 1997-2001, and was the ECAC Post-Season Tournament MVP his senior season.

Van NyNatten

- Is 2-2-0 in his last four outings.

- Earned first pro win with 24 saves in second pro start at Laredo on October 28.

- Made 41 saves in a 2-1 win at Odessa on Nov. 16.

- Teammate and roommate of Killer Bee Ryan Carrigan at Niagara from 2003-05.

- Ranks first on CHA chart in career wins and minutes.

- Made an NCAA season-high 59 saves in a 7-1 loss at Minnesota on Jan. 7, 2006.

KILLER BEES PLAYER NOTES

DULLE RIFLES 13 SHOTS ON OPENING WEEKEND

Kurtis Dulle had 10 shots on goal in Friday's season-opening loss and was held off the score sheet. He put three shots on Arizona netminder Kris Mayotte on Saturday and collected a goal and an assist. The 10 shots is tied with Oklahoma City's Marty Standish for a CHL season high.

ROBERT NETS TWO IN FIRST PRO GAME

Jonathan Robert scored twice in his pro debut (Oct. 20 vs. Arizona)

FIT TO BE TIED DOWN

The Bees had a player ejected for not properly having his jersey tied down on consecutive Saturdays. Bill Newson got the game on Nov. 11 vs. Austin, while Dennis Maxwell was shown the door on Nov. 18 vs. Arizona. Both game misconduct penalties were later rescinded.

KILLER BEES PLAYER NOTES

SECOND PERIOD BLUES, THIRD PERIOD REDEMPTION?

The Bees have been outscored 15-9 in the second period but have outscored opponents 18-7 in the third.

GET THE FIRST GOAL

Rio is 3-3-1 when allowing the first goal and 4-2-0 when scoring first.

IT'S NEVER EASY TO COME BACK

The Bees are 1-4-0 when trailing after the first period, and 0-5-1 when trailing after two. They are 5-0-0 when leading after two.

AUSTIN TIES OPPONENT RECORD

Austin scored goals 11 seconds apart last Saturday, setting a new opponent record for quickest goals.

COMPACTING THE SCHEDULE

The Bees play 12 three-in-three stretches this season. The next one is Dec. 1-3. The Bees close the season with a trio of three-in-three weekends in March.

SITUATIONAL GOALS

GOALS FOR

5-ON-5: 18

5-ON-4: 14

5-ON-3: 1

4-ON-4: 4

4-ON-3: 1

4-ON-5: 2

EN: 2 (1 was 4-on-6)

EA: 0

GOALS AGAINST

5-ON-5: 22

5-ON-4: 7

5-ON-3: 4

4-ON-4: 2

4-ON-3: 0

4-ON-5: 1

EN: 1 (1 was 5-on-4)

EA: 1

SPECIAL TEAMS

POWER PLAY

- They tied a franchise record with three power play goals on Oct. 27.

- The team has at least one PPG in all but three games this season.

- Rio was held scoreless on 10 chances Nov. 18 vs. Arizona.

PENALTY KILL

- New Mexico tied Austin's record (2/7/04) for most opponent PP chances in a game (11).

- The PK held Odessa scoreless on 10 opportunities after allowing a PPG in four straight.

- The Bees allowed four power play goals on opening night (4-for-9).

- The opposition has not scored multiple PPG since opening night.

OVERTIME AND SHOOTOUTS

Overtime Nov. 11, 2006 - 6-5 loss vs. Austin (John McNabb)



Central Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2006


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