Lubbock @ Rio Grande Valley Preview

Published on March 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

GAMENIGHT PREVIEW

Lubbock Cotton Kings (17-34-9) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (30-22-8)

DATE: 3/9/04 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

REGULAR SEASON HOME SCHEDULE COMES TO A CLOSE

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees play their final regular season home game of the season tonight hosting the Lubbock Cotton Kings. The Bees start off a busy week this week, playing the first of four games on the week to wrap up regular season play. The Killer Bees have won two straight at home, while the Cotton Kings have lost five straight on the road. This is Lubbock's lone visit to the Dodge Arena this season, wrapping up a three game season series. Lubbock will miss the playoffs this season and Rio Grande Valley still has a chance in making some ground in playoff positioning. The Bees would have to win their final four games and have either Amarillo or San Angelo lose all four of their remaining games for a series other than Rio Grande Valley vs. Laredo to take place.

THE SERIES

This is the third meeting between the Cotton Kings and Bees this season and the first to be played at the Dodge Arena. Rio Grande Valley has the season series lead with a 2-0-0 record. Killer Bees forward and former Cotton King Matic Kralj leads the series scoring with a goal and 2 assists. Lubbock's Paul Fioroni and J.F. Labarre each have two points in the series.

THE LAST MEETING

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees clinched a playoff spot Friday night, with Bees head coach Tracy Egeland leading his squad past his former squad, the Lubbock Cotton Kings, 3-2 at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum.

The Bees jumped on the scoreboard first with a goal 7:46 into the opening period by Justin Van Parys, as he squeezed through traffic in the left circle and wristed a low shot past Cotton Kings rookie goaltender Rob Anderson. The Cotton Kings responded four minutes later with a goal by Paul Fioroni. Fioroni screened Killer Bees goaltender Jeff Levy in front of net and then tipped a shot from the point by Vinnie Jonasson over the left shoulder of Levy. Mike Rees helped regain the Killer Bees lead with 6:39 remaining in the period with a power play blast from the point through traffic.

Former Cotton King and their all-time penalty minutes leader, Ryan Shmyr, tallied what proved to be the game winning goal with 8:28 remaining in the contest as he was sprawled out in front of the net and knocked a loose puck past Anderson. Chris Duggan answered back 13-seconds later with a goal to keep the Cotton Kings within one and place the score at 3-2, but that is as close as the Cotton Kings would get.

ROSTER CHANGES

Rio Grande Valley lists a healthy squad for tonight's game. Lubbock is without the services of Derek Holland (14 Day IR), Russ Guzior (season ending IR), Mathieu Paul (14 Day IR), and Jeff Dewar (season ending IR).

STANDINGS

Bees - 68 points, 2nd place, 34 points back, Southeast Division.

Cotton Kings – 43 points, 4th place, 33 points back, Southwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Bill Newson 55 points; Bill Newson 28 goals; Several tied with 27 assists; Ryan Shmyr 240 penalty minutes.

Cotton Kings – Paul Fioroni 49 points; Dave MacIntyre 24 goals; Paul Fioroni 37 assists; Gerry Hickey 252 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 14.8% 13th, Penalty killing: 85.5% 6th.

Cotton Kings – 14.3% 14th, Penalty killing: 80.5% 16th.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (25-15-5, 4 SO, 2.24), Jacque Vezina (5-7-3, 3 SO, 2.68).

Cotton Kings – Jeremy Symington (13-17-7, 0 SO, 3.10), Rob Anderson (0-2-0, 0 SO, 3.03)

WHAT'S NEXT

Rio Grande Valley – Friday, March 12th 7:30 PM @ Laredo Bucks Laredo Entertainment Center

Lubbock – Thursday, March 11th 7:05 PM vs. San Angelo Saints Municipal Coliseum

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2004


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