Killer Bees Game Notes

Published on January 19, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


The Killer Bees (13-17-5, 31 pts.) face off for the only time this season against the Wichita Thunder (14-14-3, 31 pts.) tonight at Dodge Arena. The Bees snapped an eight-game winless skid Friday night with a 4-3 shootout win over Amarillo but lost Sunday 4-1 to Laredo. Wichita last played Friday at Lubbock and took home a 3-1 win. The Thunder, which has won two in a row and is 4-0-1 in its last five, is led by vets Joe Blaznek (13-26-29), Jason Duda (10-120-30) and Travis Claton (13-16-29). Despite the recent struggles, Rio remains in the thick of the Southern Conference playoff race. The Bees are four points behind third place Austin in the Southeast Division and eight points behind second place Corpus Christi. In the Southwest Division, Arizona and New Mexico sit with 33 points, while Division leader Odessa has 36 points and second place Amarillo has 35. A total of twelve of seventeen Central Hockey League member teams will qualify for post-season play, consisting of six clubs from each conference.

BROADCAST INFO

Radio: ESPN Radio 1240 (Rich Bocchini)

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

TV: none

Email contact during broadcasts: radio@killerbeehockey.com

QUICK NOTES

- Join the Bees every Monday night at Fanatic's, inside Valley Bowl on Business 83 in Mission for Coaches Corner from 6-7 p.m. each week. Listen live on Jammin' 104.9/95.3 FM.

- This Saturday, January 20, is Harley Night. All tickets are $12 and beer is $1 all night. Harley bandanas will be given out at the door. The Bees will wear special Harley jerseys that will be auctioned after the game.

TONIGHT'S STAT FACTS

- The Bees went 3-1-0 in October, 5-5-1 in November, and 4-8-2 in December. They are 1-3-2 in January so far.

- This is the first Northwest Division matchup of the season for Rio.

- Jason Cirone played in his 1001st pro game (including playoffs) and his 890th regular season pro game last Sunday. His 1000th game was at Laredo on Dec. 31.

- Last Friday's comeback win over Amarillo marked the first time Rio has won a game this season when trailing after two periods.

- The Bees and Thunder had mirror-like records up until the New Year. Both teams started off 3-1 in October, had so-so Novembers (Rio went 5-5-1, Wichita went 4-6-1), then struggled through the holidays (Rio went 4-8-2, Wichita 4-7-1). The Bees are 1-3-2 in 2007 while the Thunder are 3-0-1.

TEAM VS. TEAM

ALL TIME SERIES

Rio is 0-2-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) all time vs. Wichita (0-1 at home, 0-1 on the road)

SEASON SERIES

First and only meeting...

LAST MEETING

Nov. 25, 2005...The Thunder scored five unanswered goals in a 5-2 win at Dodge Arena...Jason Duda and Travis Clayton each had two points (1-1-2)

SCORING BY PERIODS 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL

Rio Grande Valley 31 28 33 2 94

Opponents 41 47 22 5 115

Wichita 32 33 25 2 92

Opponents 32 35 32 3 102

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

All times listed are CST

1/19/07 - 7:35 PM vs. Wichita (ESPN 1240)

1/20/07 - 7:35 PM vs. Rocky Mountain (Jammin' 104.9/95.3 FM, Televisa)

1/26/07 - 6:05 PM at Youngstown

1/27/07 - 6:05 PM at Youngstown

1/28/07 - 3:05 PM at Youngstown

2/01/07- 7:30 PM vs. Corpus Christi

2/02/07- 7:05 PM at Corpus Christi

2/03/07- 7:30 PM vs. Corpus Christi

TRANSACTIONS

01/15/07 ADD Butland, Dale (D) acquired in trade from OKC

01/15/07 DEL Olauson, Emery (RW) traded to Oklahoma City Blazers

01/14/07 ADD Cirone, Jason (C) activated from IR

01/11/07 DEL Lovell, Jamie (D) traded to Tulsa Oilers

01/11/07 DEL Dulle, Kurtis (D) traded to Tulsa Oilers

01/11/07 DEL Newson, Bill (LW) traded to Tulsa Oilers

01/11/07 ADD Medley, Matt (D) acquired in trade from Tulsa Oilers

01/11/07 ADD Masse, David (LW) acquired in trade from Tulsa Oilers

01/06/06 ADD Mathieu, Max (F) activated from IR

01/05/06 DEL Cummings, Brent (D) placed on 14-day IR

01/05/06 ADD Casey, Joe (C) activated from IR

12/31/06 DEL Cirone, Jaosn (C), placed on 14-day IR

12/21/06 DEL Rogers, Matt (LW) waived

12/21/06 ADD Voltera, Rob (RW) activated from IR

12/21/06 ADD Orr, Doug (RW) signed contract

12/17/06 DEL Mathieu, Maxime (LW) placed on 14 day IR

12/16/06 ADD Dulle, Kurtis (D) activated from IR

12/10/06 DEL Casey, Joe (C) placed on 14 day IR

12/07/06 ADD Rogers, Matt (LW) signed contract

12/03/06 DEL Voltera, Rob (RW) placed on 14 day IR

12/02/06 DEL Dulle, Kurtis (D) placed on 14 day IR

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

- Snapped a six-game winless streak (0-3-3) on January 12.

- Won six in a row from Nov. 22 - Dec. 9.

- Selected as the Southern Conference starting goaltender in the 2007 Dodge CHL All Star Game at Bossier-Shreveport on January 17.

- Signed with Rio on Nov. 17 after beginning the season with Youngstown. Is 5-2 since signing with the Bees.

- 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, and earned Oakley CHL Goalie of the Week Honors for Week Six.

- Symington's string of shutout hockey ended at 171:47, a new team record (Nov. 18-Nov. 28, eight consecutive periods-plus)

- Has played five games in the AHL (2002-03) 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 eighth 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 0-5-1 in his last six starts...looking for his first win since Nov. 17.

- 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.

- Stopped Ryan Campbell on a penalty shot at Memphis (Nov. 25, 2006)

KILLER BEES PLAYER NOTES

MEDLEY NAMED CHL NORTHERN CONFERENCE ALL STAR MVP

Killer Bees defenseman Matt Medley was named the 2007 CHL Northern Conference All-Star Team Most Valuable Player at the Dodge All Star Game Wednesday Night in Bossier-Shreveport. Medley recorded a goal and two assists and was plus-5 in the contest, which the Northern Conference won 9-6. It was the fourth year in a row the Northern Conference took home bragging rights. Wednesday Night's All-Star appearance was the first of Medley's pro career. The Montreal native had a standout rookie campaign with Rio Grande Valley in 2005-06 and was recently reacquired by the Bess from the Tulsa Oilers.

BEES ACQUIRE BUTLAND FROM OKLAHOMA CITY

The Bees acquired defenseman Dale Butland from the Oklahoma City Blazers for right wing Emery Olauson on January 15. Butland is a physical, 6-foot-4, 215-pound blueliner from Steinbach, Manitoba. The rookie has three assists and 105 minutes in penalties in 31 games this season. His penalty minute total was second on the Blazers.

MASSE FACTORS INTO TYING, GWG GOALS IN FIRST BEES GAME

David Masse picked up an assist on Rob Voltera's game-tying goal, then scored the shootout game-winner in his first game as a Bee on January 12, 2007. He is now 4-for-5 in shootouts this season.

BANGED UP BEES

Jason Cirone was placed on the 14-day injured reserve on Dec. 31. He returned to the lineup on January 14. On January 5 at Corpus Christi, Brent Cummings left the game in the second period and did not return. He was placed on 14-day injured reserve following the game.

BEES ACQUIRE MASSE AND MEDLEY

The Bees acquired left wing David Masse and defenseman Matt Medley from the Tulsa Oilers in exchange for left wing Bill Newson and defensemen Kurtis Dulle and Jamie Lovell. Masse, 24, is tied for second among CHL goal scorers (20) and is tied for sixth overall in CHL scoring. He departs the Oilers tied for the team lead in scoring (20-19-39). Medley, 23, played for the Bees last season and set a franchise record for goals in a season by a defenseman with 13.

MASSE AMONG SCORING LEADERS.

David Masse is tied for 5th in CHL scoring (21-21-42) and is 3rd in goal scoring.

DEFENSE SCORING LEADERS

Dennis Maxwell and Matt Medley are tied for 9th in CHL defensemen in scoring.

KILLER BEES TEAM NOTES

GET THE FIRST GOAL

Rio is 5-13-2-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL) when allowing the first goal and 8-4-1 when scoring first.

IT'S NEVER EASY TO COME BACK

The Bees are 1-10-1-1 when trailing after the first period, and 1-17-1-1 when trailing after two. They are 10-0-0 when leading after two.

EACH DAY, BY DAY, DAY BY DAY, BY DAY

Rio has been the most successful on Fridays (6-5-2). Their least successful day of the week? Sundays (0-5-1).

BEES EARN FIRST SHOOTOUT WIN

The Bees won in the shootout vs. Amarillo on January 12, 2007, their first SO win in four attempts to that point. It was Rio's first SO win since March 7, 2006 (3-2 vs. Bossier-Shreveport).

BEES LOSE AT CORPUS CHRISTI FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST TWO YEARS

A 6-1 loss at Corpus Christi on January 5, 2007, marked the first time the Bees lost at American Bank Center for the first time since March 17, 2005.

CORPUS SETS OPPONENT HIGH FOR SHOTS

Corpus Christi peppered Jeremy Symington with 21 shots in the second period on Dec.1, a season high. The franchise record is 23 shots allowed at Odessa (3/4/05, 2nd).

LAREDO BOMBS NINE GOALS VS. BEES

The nine goals scored by Laredo on Dec. 10 set a new opponent regular season record. The previous high was eight, scored by the Bucks on Dec. 17, 2004. Laredo scored nine goals vs. the Bees in Game 5 of the first round of 2006 CHL playoffs (April 9, 2006).

AUSTIN TIES OPPONENT RECORD

Austin scored goals 11 seconds apart on Nov. 11, setting a new opponent record for quickest goals.

COMPACTING THE SCHEDULE

The Bees play 12 three-in-three stretches this season. The Bees close the season with a trio of three-in-three weekends in March.

SITUATIONAL GOALS

GOALS FOR - 94

5-ON-5: 46

5-ON-4: 28

5-ON-3: 3

4-ON-4: 6

4-ON-3: 1

4-ON-5: 5

3-ON-5: 2

EA: 1

EN: 1

SO: 1

GOALS AGAINST - 115

5-ON-5: 68

5-ON-4: 23

5-ON-3: 5

4-ON-4: 6

4-ON-3: 1

4-ON-5: 4

EN: 4

EA: 2

SO: 3

SPECIAL TEAMS

POWER PLAY

- Is 2-for-18 in the last four games.

- Held scoreless in three games (Dec. 1-3, 0-for-14).

- Went 14-for-67 (20.9%) in first 10 games...6-for-64 (9.38%) in games 11-20...9-for-57 in games 21-30 (15.79%).

- Tied a season-high with 11 opportunities (2-for-11) at Laredo Nov. 28.

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

PENALTY KILL

- Has killed off 18-of-21 in the last four games.

- Gave up six PPG in three games (Dec. 30-Jan. 5) after stopping 27-straight in the four previous games.

- Killed off 23-straight in the three games (Dec. 3-9).

- Scored two shorthanded goals at Odessa on December 22.

- Entering this weekend only Lubbock (18, 3rd) and Bossier (17, 1st) have allowed fewer than Rio's 20 power play goals allowed.

- Laredo set new opponent record with 13 power plays Nov. 28 at the LEC.

- Had killed off 24-straight over two-plus 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.

- The Bees allowed four power play goals on opening night (4-for-9).The opposition had not scored multiple PPG since opening night until Memphis scored twice on Nov. 25.

OVERTIME AND SHOOTOUTS

Overtime

Nov. 11, 2006 - 6-5 loss vs. Austin (Terry Virtue)

Dec. 1, 2006 - 4-3 win vs. Corpus Christi (Mike Looby)

Jan. 7, 2007 - 3-2 loss at Laredo (Chris Korchinski)

Shootout

Dec. 8, 2006 - 3-2 loss vs. Corpus Christi (Todd Paul)

Dec. 29, 2006 - 3-2 loss vs. Laredo (Bobby Chaumont)

January 9, 2007 - 4-3 loss vs. Austin (Julian Smith)

January 12, 2007 - 3-2 win vs. Amarillo (David Masse)

THE LAST TIME...

A GAME WAS DECIDED IN OVERTIME

RGV win: 12/1/06 vs. Corpus Christi (4-3 win, Mike Looby GWG)

RGV loss: 1/7/07 at Laredo (3-2 loss, Chris Korchinski GWG)

A GAME WAS SCORELESS HEADING INTO OVERTIME

3/11/06 @ Lubbock (LUB 1, RGV 0) SO, Mike Brolsma

A GAME WAS DECIDED IN A SHOOTOUT

RGV Win: 1/12/07 vs. Amarillo (3-2, David Masse)

RGV Loss: 1/7/07 vs. Austin (4-3, Julian Smith)

KILLER BEES SHUTOUT

AN OPPONENT: 11/24/06 at Bossier-Shreveport (3-0, Jeremy Symington, 31 saves)

BY AN OPPONENT: 12/3/06 at Austin (1-0, Miguel Beaudry, 25 saves)

HAT TRICK

RGV - 12/11/05 vs. Laredo (Daymen Bencharksi, 1st period, natural hat trick)

Opponent - 12/10/06 at Laredo (Adam Rivet)

A KILLER BEES PLAYER TALLIED A FOUR-GOAL GAME

N/A

A KILLER BEES PLAYER TALLIED A FIVE-GOAL GAME

N/A

ATTEMPTED PENALTY SHOTS

RGV: 12/8/06 vs. Corpus Christi (Jon Robert vs. Ron Vogel, no goal)

OPPONENT: 01/06/07 at Austin (Tim Earl vs. Jeremy Symington, no goal)

SCORED ON A PENALTY SHOT

RGV: N/A

OPPONENT: N/A

GOALTENDER RECORDED AN ASSIST

RGV: 3/12/06 at Amarillo (Evan Lindsay)

Opponent:

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2007


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