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Killer Bees Weekly

December 15, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


LEVY CONTINUES TO SET CAREER HIGHS

Killer Bees goaltender Jeff Levy is a seventh year pro and the oldest member of the Bees roster at 33 years of age. Last season, Levy remained in his hometown of Salt Lake City choosing not to play. The Bees are more than happy that Levy chose to play this season and Levy is already on pace for some career high numbers. Levy co-leads all North American minor leagues in shutouts (Levy joins 3 others throughout the minor pro ranks) with 4 on the season, which does lead the CHL. If you include the National Hockey League, Levy ties for second in all of North American professional hockey behind Martin Brodeur's (NJ. Devils) 7 shutouts. The 4 shutouts recorded by Levy are already a single season high for him. As a team, the Killer Bees lead the CHL with 5 shutouts and they have been involved in 6 shutout decisions in their last 8 games, coming up on the positive side of the decisions in 4 of them. The two-time Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award winner currently has a career low 2.15 GAA and career best 92.6 save percentage.

BEE OF THE WEEK

This week's "Bee of the Week" honor, for their role in the previous week's games, goes to speedy forward Bill Newson, who scored three goals for the Killer Bees in the week. Newson, an Enfield, Connecticut native, ended the longest scoreless sequence in team history by scoring the Bees first shorthanded goal of the season on Friday night against the Laredo Bucks. The one-time WPHL All-Star forward notched his second two-goal performance of the season the following night to help the Bees shutout the Austin Ice Bats 3-0. Newson leads the Killer Bees in goals with 10 and points with 14.

THE FURIOUS AND THE FAST

After consecutive shutout losses, the Bees were wondering if they were ever going to be able to put the puck in the back of the net while having another zero on the scoreboard during the second intermission of Friday night's game. The Bees were determined to end the drought during the third period and they came out out-shooting the Laredo Bucks 15-5 and eventually finding the back of the net. Bill Newson's goal 9:40 into the third period ended the Bees scoring drought at 181:06. The Bees went from the longest scoreless drought to their fastest pair of goals the following night against Austin. Bill Newson and Matic Kralj scored goals 12-seconds apart in the third period to dodge an Austin shutout and claim a shutout win over Austin.

BEE-ING COOL

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will make two special trips to local health facilities to visit young patients. Wednesday night from 6-7 PM, the Bees will make a visit to San Lucas Family Health Clinic in McAllen, and then on Friday, the Bees head to Rio Grande Regional Hospital (McAllen) from 1:30-2:30. The Bees will spend most of their visit meeting and greeting children and encouraging them through their health concerns. While visiting patients, the Bees will also sign autographs and fulfill any photo opportunities.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tue. Dec. 9 0-3 L @ Laredo

Top Star: LAR-David Guerrera (25 of 25 saves)

Fri. Dec. 12 1-2 L vs Laredo

Top Star: LAR-Steve Simoes (2 goals)

Sat. Dec. 13 3-0 W vs Austin

Top Star: RGV-Bill Newson (2 goals)

WEEK AHEAD

Thu. Dec. 18 7:30 vs Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: The Killer Bees look for their second consecutive victory over the Rayz and their first in the series on home ice. The Bees are 1-1-2 against the Rayz, who lead the series with a 3-1-0 record. Rayz forward Jay Woodcroft leads the series offensively with 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 4 games. The Bees' Troy Linna and Matic Kralj each have a goal and 2 assists for 3 points in the series to lead the Bees. 12 of the 24 goals scored by both teams in the series have been scored in the first period of play. It is just the eighth road game for the Rayz this season, who have already played 16 home games.

Sat. Dec. 20 7:30 vs Laredo Bucks Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: The Bees get the luxury of having Friday off in between their two games for the week, as the Bucks come to town Saturday night, but the Bees 0-2-0 this season when playing after one day rests this season. Laredo is 3-0-0 at the Dodge Arena this season and Brent Cullaton leads the series in scoring with 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points. The Bees have been held to 2.8% on the power play against the Bucks this season. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive Thundersticks courtesy of The Fiesta Pages.

PRACTICE TIMES: TUE- WED: 10 - 11:15 AM, THUR-SAT: 10 - 10:30 AM

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