Killer Bees Weekly Notes

Published on February 24, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

2003-04 WEEKLY RELEASE

FOR THE WEEK OF Feb. 23 - Mar 1st

HAPPY DAYS FOR KILLER BEES

Times are good for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. The Bees have the best record in the CHL in February with an 8-1-0 record, outscoring their opponents 38-16 during the month. The Bees have also gone 12-3-1 over their last 16 games, 9-1-1 in their last 11, picked up standing-points in 10 of their last 11 and have won 8 straight on home ice, which is the third longest in the CHL this season. The magic number to clinch a playoff spot for the Bees currently stands at 8. A Bees win or an Austin Ice Bats loss subtracts two off the magic number count. It is possible the Bees could clinch a playoff spot this weekend. The Bees play three straight on home ice, while Austin hosts San Angelo on Friday, Corpus Christi on Saturday and on the road in Fort Worth Sunday. Heading into the week, the Killer Bees are 13 standing-points ahead of Austin for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference and 6 standing-points back of Amarillo for the third seed.

MILESTONES

Saturday was a big night for some members of the Bees squad. Veteran defenseman Sean Gillam played in his 500th game of his professional career. Gillam has 23 goals and 109 assists for 132 points so far through his career. Jason Tessier also celebrated a milestone Saturday night, playing in his 250th professional game. Tessier had a career high night with a 4-point performance with a goal and 3 assists. Upcoming for the Bees, Head Coach Tracy Egeland will be coaching in his 100th game of his young coaching career on Monday against San Angelo.

BEE OF THE WEEK

This week's "Bee of the Week" recipient, for their role in the previous week's games, goes to second year forward Matic Kralj. The Ljubljana, Slovenia native had 2 goals and 3 assists in three games for five points on the weekend. Kralj, the youngest Bee on the squad at 21 years of age, was the "Number One Star" Friday in Corpus Christi with a goal and an assist and on Saturday against Austin with a goal and an assist. He currently ranks second on the squad in points with 36 points off of 16 goals and 20 assists.

MAKE A RUN FOR THE BORDER

The Bees will make a trip to Mexico this week to meet and greet with their fans to the south. The Killer Bees will be at Rico's Sports Bar in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico at their Zona Central location on the corner of Porfirio Deiz and Mandez on Wednesday beginning at 8 PM. This will be a fun time for the Bees to meet their fans from Mexico and learn more about their culture.

THE CUP COMES TO THE VALLEY

The CHL President's Cup trophy is making eight city trip through the league and makes its first stop in the Southern Conference this Friday night at the Dodge Arena. A collection of limited edition sports memorabilia will also be on display in conjunction with the Cup Tour, with all items available through a silent auction. The Cup will also make several special appearances at local team sponsors and team events during the 24-day tour of CHL cities, designed to promote the upcoming CHL post-season.

The Ray Miron President's Cup is a sterling silver trophy with a black base standing 28.5 inches tall and weighing 19.5 pounds, and honors both CHL founder Ray Miron, recently named a recipient of the NHL's Lester Patrick trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States, and original Western Professional Hockey League President Rick Kozuback, who now serves as President/CEO of Global Entertainment Corporation, operator of the CHL. The trophy was named in May of 2001 following the CHL and WPHL merger.

CHL fans will be encouraged to get their photographs taken with the Ray Miron President's Cup at all locations. During the trip, the Cup will travel nearly 7,000 miles round trip from the CHL front office in Phoenix, Arizona.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Thu. Feb. 19 3-2 W @ Corpus Christi Rayz

Top Star: RGV-Matic Kralj 2 pts. (1g,1a)

Fri. Feb. 20 5-2 W vs. Austin Ice Bats

Top Star: RGV-Matic Kralj 2 pts. (1g,1a)

Sat. Feb. 21 5-1 W vs. Corpus Christi Rayz

Top Star: RGV-Jason Tessier 4 pts. (1g,3a)

WEEK AHEAD

Fri. Feb. 27 7:30 vs. Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: XERT 1170 AM TV: Televisa (CH.7)

Notes: The Bees and Rayz battle for the twelfth time this season and the final time at the Dodge Arena. The Bees lead the series with a 7-2-2 record and have won 5 straight. Bees forward Bill Newson leads the series offensively with 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. The Rayz are led by Jay Woodcroft, who has 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points against the Bees. The Bees will be wearing special commemorative Mardi Gras jerseys for Friday and Saturday night's games.

Sat. Feb. 28 7:30 vs. Odessa Jackalopes Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: Odessa and Rio Grande Valley meet for the third time this season and final time at the Dodge Arena. The Bees and Jacks' have split the season series (1-1-0), with the host squad winning each game. Jason Tessier (2g,1a) and Bill Newson (3a) each lead the Bees in the series with three points, as Sebastien Thinel leads the Jackalopes in the series with 3 points (3a). As of noon Tuesday, only 50 tickets remained for the contest. The game is sponsored by Texas Lottery, so several fans will receive Texas Lottery scratch-off tickets.

Mon. Mar. 1 11:00 am vs. San Angelo Saints Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: The Killer Bees host their first annual "Kids Day" game, as over 4,000 elementary students from McAllen ISD, Sharyland ISD, Mission CISD, Hidalgo ISD, PSJA ISD and Harlingen CISD will enjoy the game between the Killer Bees and the San Angelo Saints. The contest will be the seventh and final meeting between the two teams and the first since January 2nd. The Bees lead the series with a 4-1-1 record and Bill Newson (5g) and Mike Rees (1g,4a) lead the Bees in the series with 5 points each. San Angelo's Chris Minard leads the series in scoring with 7 points off of 5 goals and 2 assists.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2004


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