Kings Suspend Two... Highlights Weekly Notes

Published on December 19, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


FOR THE WEEK OF Dec. 19 - Dec. 25th

BACK WITH THE JACKS

The Lubbock Cotton Kings completed their first week without bus travel last week with just one home game, and the Odessa Jackalopes edged out the Cotton Kings 5-4 in a contest held at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum Saturday night. The contest was just the second regulation loss of the season on home ice, as the Kings home record dropped to 6-2-1 on the season. The Kings continue this week with a light schedule, as they only have two games on the docket this week, but the two games are highly important for the Kings. Lubbock will face the Odessa Jackalopes in both contests this week, facing the Jackalopes in Odessa on Wednesday and returning back to Lubbock to host the Jackalopes on Friday. The Cotton Kings enter the week with a 12-11-1 record and with 25 standing-points, while Odessa sits in first place of the Southwest Division with a 13-8-3 record and 29 standing-points. If Lubbock wins both contests in regulation, they will tie Odessa atop the standings entering the Christmas break.

SUSPENDED LIST

Lubbock made their first rosters moves in December today (12/19) with the placement of Barry Horman and Aaron Goldade on the team's suspension list. The reasons were non-detrimental and will be fully disclosed at a later time. Cotton Kings Head Coach Chris Dashney will comment in depth to the moves made tonight on the Cotton Kings Call In Show on KKAM 1340 AM from 6:30-7:30 PM. Horman, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, ranks third in rookie scoring for the Kings with 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points in 21 games. Goldade, who is returning to the pro ranks after completing a college tenure at the University of Manitoba, was injured in the Cotton Kings first game of the season against Rio Grande Valley and has not seen any action since. League rules state that a player placed on a team's suspension list must remain inactive for at least 30 days. If a player that is on the suspension list is traded, they become immediately active with their new team.

"HEROES & LEGACIES" COTTON KINGS "HERO OF THE WEEK"

Each week a member of the Cotton Kings is selected as the "Heroes & Legacies Hero of the Week" for their performance in the previous week's games, and this week's recipient for their effort last week is rookie defenseman Matt McNeely. The Almonte, Ontario native led all Kings scorers on the week with two points in Saturday's 5-4 loss to Odessa. He opened the game assisting on Mike Brolsma's goal to tie the contest at 1-1 and then tied the contest at 4-4 in the third period with his first pro shorthanded goal. His efforts led to McNeely earning the #3 Star of the game. On the season, McNeely has 7 points off 3 goals and 4 assists, and he leads rookie defensemen for the Kings with a plus/minus rating of 3.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Lubbock Cotton Kings, like all Central Hockey League teams, will play 32 home and 32 road games this season, but the Kings are probably wondering when they will have a steady flow of home games. The Kings, who would like a couple of home games to build some continuity with their record, are the only team in the CHL that has not played in three consecutive home games and the only team in the league that has not played in two consecutive home games on consecutive nights. Lubbock co-leads the CHL in fewest home games played with Memphis, with just nine home games played. They have made the most of their home games, as Lubbock is 6-2-1 at home. They will play their first set of consecutive home games in consecutive nights on December 30th and 31st. They will also host a home game on January 6th to mark their first set of three straight home games.

THIS WEEK'S "INSIDE THE NUMBERS"

5 of 6 - Points - Cotton Kings rookie forward Mike Brolsma has five of his seven points and 4 of his 5 goals this season against the Odessa Jackalopes.

17.8- Power Play Percentage - The Kings have a power play percentage of 17.8% on home ice this season to rank third in the CHL.

2-0-0 - Record - The Lubbock will have one off day in between their game Wednesday in Odessa and Friday at home against Odessa. The Kings are 2-0-0 this season in games played after a one-day break.

299 - Points - Jan Melichercik, the Kings all-time leading scorer, is one point away from 300 career points.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Dec. 17 vs. Odessa L 4-5 Top Star: ODE - Mike Rutter (2 goals)

WEEK AHEAD

PRACTICE TIMES: Tue: 10 - 11:15 AM... Wed: 10 - 11 AM... Thur: 10 - 11:15 AM... Fri: 10-11 AM

Wed. Dec. 21 7:00 pm @ Odessa Jackalopes Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Lubbock Cotton Kings start the week in Odessa with another trip to the Ector County Coliseum, where the Cotton Kings are 1-3-0 this season and 9-24-2 all-time. The contest is the seventh meeting of the season and already the fifth in Odessa. The overall season series is led by Odessa 4-2-0 this season. Nolan Graham (3g,3a) has six points to lead the season series offensively for the Kings, while Odessa's Sebastien Thinel (2g,5a) has seven points for Odessa against Lubbock. Lubbock is 23-36-5 all-time against the Jacks', while Odessa is 41-20-3 against the Kings in the all-time series. Odessa's Scott Hillman is the all-time series scoring leader with 8 goals and 41 assists for 49 points. Jan Melichercik is the Cotton Kings all-time leader in scoring against Odessa with 36 points (15g,21a).

Fri. Dec. 23 7:05 pm vs. Odessa Jackalopes Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Kings wrap up the week at home, as they host the Odessa Jackalopes to end a set of three consecutive games against the Jackalopes. The contest will be the final game before the Cotton Kings hit the Christmas break. Lubbock is 1-1-0 in the series this season against Odessa at home and 14-12-3 all-time. Lubbock has won their previous five games on Friday nights.

KING BIRTHDAYS:

Brett Koscielny (21) 12/27

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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