CHL Central Hockey League

Laredo Bucks Continue to Pace Central Hockey League

Published on December 9, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


The second-year Laredo Bucks enjoyed a remarkable inaugural season, and fears of a "sophomore slump" have quickly been erased as the Bucks have streaked to an 18-3-1 mark to open the 2003-2004 campaign. What's even more impressive is that the Bucks are doing so well despite only returning four players from last season's club, which posted an overall record of 41-17-6 and led the CHL with 26 wins on home ice.

The Bucks have a quality mix of veteran leadership and youngsters, and their seven rookies are tied with Wichita for the most in the CHL this season. Accomplishments to date this season include leading the circuit in goals, power play goals, assists, and total points. Overall, Laredo is averaging 4.18 goals scored per game, nearly half a goal per game better than their closest competitor.

Already four Bucks (forwards Brent Cullaton, Jeff Bes, Patrik Nilson and Chris Grenville) have scored more than ten goals each, and 11 Laredo players have double-digit point totals. Despite their impressive offensive numbers, Laredo is also currently the CHL's leading defensive club, allowing just 2.23 goals against per game, and boasts a goaltending duo in Marco Emond and David Guerrera that has combined for 18 wins, three shutouts, and a save percentage of 92.6.

Laredo has also clearly benefited from a strong relationship with their American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio, with five Bucks on assignment, and Laredo sits atop the "In The Crease / Just Hockey AA Top 20 Rankings" for the second consecutive week.

Laredo's current .841 winning percentage tops the CHL, and the Bucks are on pace to shatter the previous CHL record of .781, established by the Odessa Jackalopes during the 2001-2002 season.

Pointstreak Performance of the Week

New Mexico center Chris Richards has been on a tear as of late, and produced a season high six points (tied later in the week by Corpus Christi's Jay Woodcroft) in a single game as the Scorpions posted an 8-6 victory over visiting Memphis on December 2nd. Richards scored two goals (his fourth and fifth of the season) and added four assists in the contest. His 26 assists are tied for the CHL lead this season, and his 32 total points rank him sixth overall in the CHL scoring race.

CHL Team Notes – Through 12/08/03

Amarillo
Gorillas have lost three of four games following CHL season high 11 game winning streak.

Austin
Ice Bats have earned 13 of 16 possible points in their last eight games.

Bossier-Shreveport
2nd year forward Chad Spurr leads the Mudbugs with 20 points, 9 goals, and a +9 plus/minus rating.

Colorado
G Ryan Bach recorded his 10th career pro shutout 12/7, the first shutout in franchise history.

Corpus Christi
Rayz are the only team in the CHL that has not allowed a shorthanded goal against this season.

Fort Worth
Brahmas holding "Teddy Bear Toss" 12/13 to benefit JPS Health Network hospitals and other charities.

Indianapolis
Defensemen Bernie John and Mario Doyon both tied for CHL lead in goals by blueliners.

Laredo
F Brent Cullaton has recorded a point in 10 straight games, and has scored nine goals in seven games.

Lubbock
Cotton Kings are a perfect 6-0-0 when leading after two periods of play.

Memphis
RiverKings lead CHL with four shorthanded goals on home ice, tied for overall lead with five total.

New Mexico
Scorpions lead the CHL with five hat tricks this season, two by center Mike Oliveira.

Odessa
Three of forward Mike Rutter's eight goals have come shorthanded, none on the power play.

Oklahoma City
D Hardy Sauter recorded his 600th pro point 12/5, first defenseman to reach 600 points in CHL history.

Rio Grande Valley
Killer Bees established CHL season high shutout sequence of 138:14, recorded two straight shutouts.

San Angelo
Saints have improved by 10 points in first 22 games compared to last season (12-8-2 vs 8-14-0).

Tulsa
LW Jason Bermingham has scored 15 points in last 10 games, five goals in last six games.

Wichita
Goaltender Nathan Grobins is three wins short of reaching 100 for his pro career.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2003


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