Killer Bees Weekly Notes

Published on December 28, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

2004-05 WEEKLY RELEASE

FOR THE WEEK OF Dec. 27 - Jan. 2nd

EARLY "MAKE OR BREAK" WEEK FOR BEES TO CLOSE OUT CALENDAR YEAR

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees have not produced the first half of the season that they would have liked, to open the 2004/2005 season, but fortunately for them, no team has consistently dominated their competition to secure standing positions. The Killer Bees have plenty of time to make their run just as they did last season, and this week will give the Bees a great opportunity to make that run, or could just as easy place them further back in the pack. The Bees are 8-15-1 this season through 24 games, with games this week against Southeast Division co-leading Laredo Bucks (Tuesday, Friday) and Corpus Christi Rayz (Thursday) before closing the weekend and opening the new year Saturday in San Angelo. Last season, the Killer Bees were 12-10-2 through 24 games and were 15 points out first place. Heading into this week's action, the Killer Bees are 12 standing points out of first place and a playoff spot. The Bees defeated the Bucks last season on Dec.30th at the Dodge Arena, which the Bees reflected on as a turning point of the season... the Bees are hoping to be looking back on the upcoming week down the road with positive results.

THINK OF ALL THE POSSIBILITIES

On Wednesday, the Central Hockey League will announce the non-starting all-star game members (starting members were announced last week) and at least one Killer Bee will be selected to the Southern Conference squad for the 2005 All-Star Game on January 12th in Laredo. Last season, Bill Newson was the lone Bees representative and he will be waiting on Wednesday, along with several other Bees members, to find out if he is selected by Southern Conference Head Coach Chris Dashney of Lubbock in conjunction with the CHL hockey operations department. The Bees roster consists of five players with prior all-star game experience (combining for eight games played). Here is a brief glimpse of possible all-star selections:

Sean Gillam - Bees Team Captain and player/assistant coach is not only known for his smart defensive decisions, but the Detroit Red Wings draft selection leads the Bees defensemen in scoring and is on pace for a 35-point season, which would be a career high for the ninth-year pro.

Joe Guenther - The former ECHL All-Star ranks second on the Bees squad in points and was recognized earlier in the season as a CHL Oakley Player of the Week, becoming the first Bee ever to receive the honor. Holds the Bees all-time record for most consecutive games with a goal (4).

Derek Holland - Three-time all-star selection ranks fifth among CHL defensemen in shots (81) and has one of the hardest shots in the league, already clocked at 104 MPH (conducted by KGBT TV) this season. Also known for his hard-nosed defensive style of play.

Bill Newson - Last season's lone Bees all star led the Bees in points last season through 24 games with 10 goals and 4 assists for 14 points, and leads the Bees in scoring this season through 24 games (9g,13a,22pts.), and in several other offensive categories (including multi-point games with 6). His 112 shots on goal ranks seventh in the CHL. Would certainly help the Southern Conference's chances in the skills competition for the fastest skater competition.

Jason Tessier - A finalist for the CHL Defenseman of the Year award last season ranks sixth in the CHL for shots by a defenseman (79) and is second on the Bees squad in scoring amongst defensemen with 12 points (6g,6a). The fifth year pro is on pace for a career high season in goals.

THIS WEEK'S "INSIDE THE NUMBERS"

1 - Win Needed - By goaltender Jeff Levy to reach his 100th pro-career win in net.

12 - Consecutive Games With a Penalty - Ryan Shmyr has received a penalty in 12 straight games, which currently leads the CHL this season.

13 - Shots Needed - By forward Bill Newson to notch 1,000 in his pro career.

A MONTH BETWEEN THE PIPES

Bees goaltender Jeff Levy has received the start in net for a franchise record 12 consecutive games and has started in every December contest. Levy has a 5-7-0 record in the span, which began November 24th. He ranks seventh in the CHL in minutes played at 1128:52.

BEE OF THE WEEK

This week's Killer Bees "Bee of the Week," for their performance in last week's three games, is defenseman Josh Mizerek. The Bees blueliner led the Bees in points with 2 assists, in the Bees only contest of the week (Dec. 22). Mizerek has three points in his last three games, which has doubled his offensive production on the season.

AT LEAST THREE

The Killer Bees are 7-2-1 this season when scoring at least three goals in a game this season. They have only one win this season when scoring less than three goals (1-13-0).

WEEK IN REVIEW

Wed. Dec. 22 3-4 L vs. Corpus Christi Rayz Top Star: CRP-Ken McKay (1g,1a, 2pts.)

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Mon, Wed : 10 am - 11 am Tue, Thur, Fri: 10 - 10:30 am

WEEK AHEAD

Tue. Dec. 28 7:30 pm vs. Laredo Bucks Radio: ESPN Radio 1240 AM TV: Televisa Ch. 7

Notes: The Killer Bees and the Bucks meet for the first time since October 29th at the Dodge Arena and for the first time since their December 17th match-up, which the Bees set a team record with 95 penalty minutes. It is the second of six visits to the Dodge Arena by the Bucks this season. Laredo Leads the all-time series with a 11-3-2 record, with Jeff Bes leading the all-time series with 32 points (11g,21a). The Killer Bees, who are led by Bill Newson (6g,6a,12pts) against the Bucks all-time, are 5-10-1 all-time against the Bucks and are 1-2-0 this season in the series. Rio Grande Valley is 3-5-0 all-time over the regular season at the Dodge Arena and have won three of the last four meetings at the Dodge. The Bees are led in the season series by Sean Gillam (2g,3a,5pts), while Adam Paiement leads the way for the Bucks in the season series, leading all scorers with 8 points (5g,3a). The Bees are 0-3-0 on Tuesdays this season and 1-7-0 all-time.

Thur. Dec. 30 7:30 pm vs. Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: ESPN Radio 1240AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: Its Dollar-beer Night at the Dodge Arena, as the Corpus Christi Rayz return to town. It is the seventh of 11 meetings this season and the 21st meeting all-time between the two teams. The Killer Bees lead the all-time series 10-6-4, but the Rayz lead the season series with a 4-0-2 record. Each game in the season series has been close, as three of the six meetings have been decided in overtime and five of the six games have resulted in a one goal differential. Bill Newson leads the season series for the Bees with 8 points (4g,4a) and is the all-time series leader with 26 points (14g,12a). Corpus Christi has Ryan Carter with 8 points (3g,5a) to lead the season series against the Bees and their all-time leader is Matt Noga, who has 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 points.

Fri. Dec. 31 7:30 pm @ Laredo Bucks Radio: ESPN Radio 1240 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: Not for sure if it is becoming a tradition, but for the second consecutive season, the Killer Bees will spend New Year's Eve in Laredo, battling the Laredo Bucks. The Bees hope that the outcome will not be traditional as last season's, as the Laredo Bucks defeated the Bees 6-1 last year on New Year's Eve.

Sat. Jan. 1 7:05 pm @ San Angelo Saints Radio: ESPN Radio 1240 AM TV: None

Notes: The Killer Bees spent Thanksgiving in San Angelo (played the Friday after Thanksgiving in San Angelo) and will spend New Year's Day in San Angelo. The Killer Bees did not play last season on New Year's Day, but did open the new year battling the Saints, which they lost in overtime 4-3. This contest is the second of four meetings on the season and the last trip to the San Angelo Coliseum. Rio Grande Valley is 5-2-1 all-time against the Saints and 2-2-0 all-time in San Angelo. Former Saint Ryan Finnerty is the series all-time leader in scoring with 8 points (4g,4a). Bill Newson leads the Bees in the all-time series with one goal and six assists for seven points. The Saints are 1-0-0 this season in the series, after topping the Bees 4-1 on November 26th , led by a three-point performance (2g,1a) by Nathan Rosychuk.

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