Kings Zing Past Blazers 6-3
March 24, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
Oklahoma City, OK - The Lubbock Cotton Kings received a five-goal second period outburst to surge past the Oklahoma City Blazers 6-3 Friday night in front of 9,799 fans at the Ford Center. The win ends the Kings four-game winless streak and improves their overall record to 27-29-6.
Lubbock was able to overcome four Blazers power play opportunities in the first period and come away with a 1-0 lead. Off a face-off draw in the left circle, Nosan won a draw pushing the puck to the left point, where Matt Macdonald flung the puck on net. Blazers goaltender Sean Connors lost sight of the shot and the puck banked off his leg pads and rolled across the goal line 7:12 into the period. Lubbock had an opportunity to open the scoring earlier in the game. Josh Anderson was awarded a penalty shot 3:54 into the game, but Connors made the save. The attempt was the first involving the Kings this season and a league-high seventh involving the Blazers.
On January 27th, the Blazers tied a CHL season high with five goals in the second period. Lubbock returned the favor with five goals in the second period and they completed the task in a span of 7:31. There was not a stoppage in play for the first 6:43 that was not due to either a goal or a penalty. Josh Anderson started the Kings scoring barrage 4:19 into the period by streaking past the Blazers defense on the left side and getting free in front, lifting a wrist shot over Conners for a 2-1 lead. The goal came exactly a minute after Marty Standish opened the scoring in the period, tying the game at 1-1. John Zeiler scored his first pro goal 1:05 after Anderson's goal t extend the Kings lead to 3-1. Standish, on a power play, grabbed his second goal of the period and of the game 6:30 into the period to cut the Kings lead to 3-2, but Zeiler matched Standish's two-goal period with a two-goal period of his own. Zeiler's two goals came 2:55 apart, giving the Kings a 4-2 edge. Lubbock received their only power play opportunity of the game moments later and Jon Foster capitalized on the opportunity with a power play goal 10:53 into the period. The goal would lead to a change in net as Sebastien Centomo replaced Connors. The changed didn't change the Kings scoring hopes, as Paul Fioroni found the net on a two-on-one conversion 57-seconds into Centomo's appearance.
Oklahoma City tried their best to mount a comeback attempt, out-shooting the Kings 19-6 in the final frame, but they would only end up getting one goal in the period. Jared Dumba put a loose puck in front past goaltender Brett Koscielny 8:47 into the period. The goal would be the last of the game cutting the Kings lead to 6-3.
For milestone purposes, Lance Leslie started in net for his 299th CHL/WPHL appearance, as he intends to close his career Saturday at home against Odessa in the home finale for his 300th CHL/WPHL appearance. He only stayed in for 40-seconds and Koscielny came in for the game's remainder. Koscielny finished with 42 saves off 45 shots to tie a career best in saves. Oklahoma City had seven power play opportunities compared the Lubbock's one and capitalized on just one of them.
Lubbock closes out their home schedule Saturday night at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum hosting the Odessa Jackalopes at 7:05 PM. There will be an awards ceremony prior to the game, as the team awards will be presented along with the CHL's "Man of the Year" award presentation.
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