Killer Bees Weekly

Published on November 1, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


BEES PREPARE FOR NOVEMBER

The Bees schedule might appear light this week, with only one game, but it marks the calm before the storm. After this weekend's tilt with Corpus Christi at the Dodge Arena, the Bees will play 11 games over a 19-day period. It includes their longest geographic road trip of the season, which has the Bees playing a pair of games in Fort Collins, Colorado against the Colorado Eagles and games in New Mexico and Lubbock, Texas in a span of five days (Nov. 12 - 16th). Of the 12 games scheduled in November, seven are on the road and nine are against non-division opponents (12-9-4 last season against non-division opponents). The Bees play three division games during the month and they are all against Corpus Christi. Rio Grande Valley wrapped up October with a 2-1-0 record and are 4-2-2 all-time in October. Last season, the Bees were 7-6-0 in the month of November.

THIS WEEK'S "INSIDE THE NUMBERS"

4 - Avg. Goals Per Game - Bees are tied for second in the CHL with an average of 4 goals scored per game.

5 - Defensive Goals - The first five Bees goals of the season were tallied by defensemen. Since then, the forwards have rolled off 7 consecutive Bees goals.

20 - Seconds - Bill Newson set the franchise record for the fastest goal to begin a game by scoring a goal 20-seconds into Saturday night's contest against Austin. The goal tied as the fastest goal to begin a period, as Jason Tessier had tallied a goal 20-seconds into the second period on 2/6/04 against Corpus Christi.

25 - Shots Fired - The Bees fired off an individual-period franchise high 25 shots on goal in the third period of Saturday nights game against Austin. They ended the night with 48, which was the second most in franchise history.

29 - Games - The Bees did not score five goals in a game until their 29th game of the season (Dec.30). They completed the task twice already this season in their two previous games.

HITTING THE POLLS

As the Presidential Election takes center stage this week, the Killer Bees are actually one team that could help in determining the winning candidate. The Bees have seven American born players on their team, which is the second most in the CHL behind Memphis' eight. With this being "Election Week," the Killer Bees will be wearing special commemorative patriotic jerseys Saturday night, which will be auctioned off to fans after the game. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, hygiene items, entertainment items, and some small household items, which the Bees will convert into Care Packages to be sent to military members serving time in Iraq. A full list of items requested from military personnel can be found at the Killer Bees website: www.killerbeehockey.com.

BEE OF THE WEEK

This week's "Bee of the Week" recipient, for their role in the previous week's game, goes to Bees goaltender Jeff Levy, who also earned league honors as the Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week. Levy saw his first action of the 2004/2005 season this past week and went 2-0-0 and posted a 2.00 GAA, allowing just four goals in the two games combined. The Salt Lake City, Utah native stopped 61 of 65 shots in the two games (93.8% save percentage). Levy, a CHL Most Valuable Player finalist and two-time Scott Brower Memorial Trophy (most outstanding goaltender) finalist, built up a shutout sequence of 65:34 from Friday night's 5-3 win over Laredo into Saturday's 5-1 win over Austin. The sequence ended when Austin converted a late 5-on-3 power play goal with 1:50 remaining in the game to end the shutout sequence. The eighth year pro claims his first league award of the season and is his fourth as a Bee. Last season, Levy was a two-time "Goaltender of the Week" recipient and was the co-Goaltender of the Month for February. Ironically, Levy's first Goaltender of the Week honor last season was earned during the CHL's second week of play, which was during the final week of October.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

As the Bees practice in Laredo and Corpus Christi this week, every move made will be documented on video. The CHL is in a partnership with Ontario, Canada based Maple Leaf TV and Maple Leaf America to air 20 CHL contests and a 12-episode series called "On the Bus." The Maple Leaf TV production crew will be joining the Killer Bees for their practice session Tuesday in Laredo and will continue with the team through their game Saturday night against Corpus Christi at the Dodge Arena, video taping every move the Bees make. "On the Bus" will begin airing on Maple Leaf TV in January and will primarily focus on the four strongest rivalries in the CHL. Maple Leafs TV is a 24 hour a day, seven day a week network formed in 2001 focusing on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ontario-related hockey players.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Fri. Oct. 29 5-3 W vs. Laredo Bucks Top Star: RGV- Jason Tessier (2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points)

Sat. Oct. 30 5-1 W vs. Austin Ice Bats Top Star: RGV- Jeff Levy (30 of 31 saves)

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Tue. - Wed.: @ LEC in Laredo Thur - Fri: @ Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi

WEEK AHEAD

Sat. Nov. 6 7:30 vs. Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: Real Country 840 AM TV: Televisa (XERV Ch.9/19)

Notes: The only game for the Bees this week is against the only division opponent the Bees have not seen in the regular season, the Corpus Christi Rayz. All Bees regular season games so far have been against Southeast Division opponents and this contest marks the fourth consecutive game against a division opponent. This is the first of 11 meetings this season and the first of six at the Dodge Arena. Rio Grande Valley is 8-3-3 all-time against Corpus Christi and 4-1-2 against the Rayz at the Dodge Arena. Bees forward Bill Newson is the series all-time leading scorer with 18 points (10g,8a), while Corpus Christi's Matt Noga is the returning Rayz leader in the all-time series with 9 points (2g,7a). Noga is the only returning Rayz member from last season's squad. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive megaphones compliments of Rio Home Care.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2004


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