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Killver Bees vs. Odessa Game Night Preview

March 8, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

Odessa Jackalopes (23-20-10) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (16-35-3)

DATE: 3/8/05 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

BUSY BEES ARE BACK HOME

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees close out a span of four games in five nights, which began a 1,000 away Friday in Memphis, tonight, while also kicking off a three game homestand as they host the Odessa Jackalopes. The Bees are in the process of trying to snap a four-game home winless streak and extend their overall winning streak to two games. They also want to play the spoiler role tonight against the Jackalopes, who come in six standing-points back from the Lubbock Cotton Kings for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference with seven games remaining.

THE SERIES

The Killer Bees are hosting the Odessa Jackalopes for the second time this season and the fourth time all-time. The Bees, who are 3-0-0 all-time at the Dodge Arena against the Jackalopes, hold a 4-2-0 all-time series record and are looking for a season series sweep with a 2-0-0 series record this season heading into the game. Odessa's Sebastien Thinel leads the all-time series with 9 points (3g,6a) and there are several Jackalopes with just one point this season against the Bees. The Bees have several players leading the all-time series with 6 points and are led this season in the series by Troy Linna, who has a goal and an assist for two points.

THE LAST MEETING

3/8/05 - Joe Guenther opened the game's scoring and he closed the game's scoring with one minute remaining in overtime to hold off the Odessa Jackalopes and give the Rio Grande Valley a 4-3 overtime win to end a franchise high 13-game road winless streak.

Guenther's game winner in overtime came as he tipped a shot by Darcy Smith past Odessa rookie goaltender Derek Dolson, sending the Bees into jubilation. The multi-goal game by Guenther is his team leading third of the season.

His first goal of the game was the first period's only goal and it gave the Bees a 1-0 lead. Dolson stopped a Calle Aslund shot from the top of the zone, immediately following a Matic Kralj face-off win, but the rebound came to Guenther, who cashed in 3:57 into the contest. The Bees had the early momentum in the period, but a couple power play opportunities for the Jacks' led to a shift of momentum and a lot of shots on goal. Bees netminder Jeff Levy was there to secure the Bees lead and stopped all 16 Jackalopes shots in the period.

Jason Hawes dropped a pass from the left circle to the top of the circle where Ryan Shmyr ripped a one-timer into the top shelf to give the Bees a 2-0 advantage. Odessa bounced back with a pair of goals 2:23 apart midway through the period to tie the game at 2-2. Aaron Davis was able to tip a pass, while tied up, past the reach of Levy 8:31 into the period and then Jackalopes Captain Don Margettie converted on a power play opportunity. The Bees were able to regain the lead by period's end with a power play goal of their own by Bill Newson, as Newson registered his team-leading 18th goal of the season by redirecting a Darcy Smith slap shot off the elbow of the goal and into the net.

Odessa, who held a 0-13-2 record when trailing after two periods of play entering the game, quickly tied the contest up for a third time with a goal by Don Margettie 19-seconds into the period. Margettie tallied his second of the game by wrestling the puck away from the grasp of Levy in the crease and slamming it into the net to tie the game at 3-3. Neither team would score the decisive goal in the final 19:41 forcing the game's outcome in overtime.

ROSTER CHANGES

Rio Grande Valley has the league maximum, with 17 active skaters, and still lists Darren Partch on the team's suspended list. Odessa‘s Mike Hampton is on the 45-Day IR list and is eligible to return.

STANDINGS

Bees - 35 points, 4th place, 26 points back, Southeast Division.

Jackalopes – 56 points, 4th place, 9 points back, Southwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Bill Newson 48 points; Joe Guenther 20 goals; Bill Newson 30 assists; Ryan Shmyr 246 penalty minutes.

Jackalopes – Mike Rutter 55 points; Mike Rutter 23 goals; Mike Rutter 32 assists; Don Margettie 137 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 16.4% 7th, Penalty killing: 78.0% 17th.

Jackalopes – 16.4% 7th, Penalty killing: 85.4% 3rd.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (15-23-1, 0 SO, 3.16), Jacque Vezina (1-12-2, 0 SO, 4.34).

Jackalopes – Mike Gorman (12-14-7, 0 SO, 2.94), Derek Dolson (11-6-3, 2 SO, 1.85)

WHAT'S NEXT

Rio Grande Valley – Friday, March 11th 7:30 PM vs. Austin Ice Bats Dodge Arena

Odessa – Thursday, March 10th 7:00 PM vs. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Ector County Coliseum



Central Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2005


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