Lubbock Cotton Kings Weekly Notes

Published on December 6, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


FOR THE WEEK OF Dec. 5 - Dec. 11th

WEEK OF FIRST PLACE BATTLES

The Lubbock Cotton Kings returned from their longest (mileage) road trip of the season, which logged 3,000 miles and 50 hours on the bus, splitting a pair of games with the first-year Youngstown SteelHounds. Friday night's game saw the two teams combine for six power play goals, as the Cotton Kings three power play goals led them to a 5-3 win on what Youngstown promoted as a guarantee win night. The SteelHounds also scored three power play goals on Saturday night, and the Cotton Kings couldn't match their Friday night production and lost 3-1 to end a three game winning streak. This week, the Kings face an even tougher schedule, as they play four games on the week (only one of the four at home) and three will be first place battles, as the Kings are in Odessa on Tuesday for a battle for the Southwest Division lead before returning home Friday night to begin a home-and-home series with the Southern Conference and Southeast Division leading Laredo Bucks, which concludes Saturday night in Laredo. Lubbock wraps up the week in Corpus Christi on Sunday for their first meeting of the season with the Corpus Christi Rayz.

KILLER AWARD

Playing in his first full month of professional hockey, Lubbock goaltender Brett Koscielny had a month to remember, as he was named the Sher-Wood CHL Goaltender of the Month for November by the CHL on Friday. The 20-year old netminder appeared in five games in the month of November and posted a 4-1-0 record. He stopped 144 of 151 shots, allowing just 7 goals for a 95.4% save percentage. "Killer" also registered a 1.40 GAA in November. The Brandon, Manitoba native leads the CHL with a 2.15 GAA and ranks tied for third, with fellow teammate Lance Leslie, with a 92.5% save percentage. It is Koscielny's first league honor and it is the second CHL Goaltender of the Month honor received by a Kings netminder after Leslie earned the honor in February of last season.

"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 veteran forward Jan Melichercik. The sixth-year King led all Cotton Kings in scoring on the week with four points off a goal and three assists. He produced all four points Friday night in the Cotton Kings 5-3 win over Youngstown to tie a career best performance in points. Melichercik, the only European born member on the Kings roster, remains as the club's all-time leading scorer and currently leads the Cotton Kings with 11 assists.

CHL JUNIOR REPORTER PROGRAM

The CHL Junior Reporter Program is back for the 2005-2006 CHL season, with six opportunities with the Lubbock Cotton Kings for kids to closely interact with the team and players. To participate, children must be between the ages of 8 and 16.

Interested participants can apply for a "Junior Reporter" slot with the Lubbock Cotton Kings for one of four dates listed below. Those selected, along with an accompanying adult will receive a pair of tickets to the game, a tour of the arena, an opportunity to meet with team beat writer Adam Zuvanich of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, will view the game from the press box, and interview a player or Coach Chris Dashney following the contest. CHL Junior Reporters will also be interviewed on the team's radio broadcast with Chris Due. Once their game is complete, Junior Reporters will file their article (and pictures of their experience) on the Central Hockey League website and the Cotton Kings website. Each Junior Reporter is limited to one game per season to allow others an opportunity to participate.

Those selected will also receive a press package from the CHL containing a personalized Press Pass, a CHL puck, and personalized notepaper for use at their scheduled game.

To apply for a CHL Junior Reporter position with the CHL, please email Steve Cherwonak, Vice President, Communications, at cherwonak@centralhockeyleague.com and/or log onto the CHL's website (www.centralhockeyleague.com) and click on the Junior Reporter link. Here are the following dates available:

Saturday, December 17 vs. Odessa (7:05 PM)

Saturday, January 14 vs. Colorado (7:05 PM)

Friday, February 3 vs. Amarillo (7:05 PM)

Saturday, February 25 vs. Amarillo (7:05 PM)

THIS WEEK'S "INSIDE THE NUMBERS"

2 - Goals - The Cotton Kings have only allowed two even strength goals over the past four games, but have surrendered 8 power play goals in the span. The Kings have not allowed an even strength goal in their last two games, as all six Youngstown goals were scored on the power play.

12 - Points - Cotton Kings rookie forward Kyle Nosan has 12 points (4g,8a) on the season to rank fifth among CHL rookies. He has a four-game point streak with a goal and three assists in the span.

199 - Assists - Jan Melichercik currently has 199 career assists and is one away from 200 career assists.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Dec. 2 @ Youngstown W 5-3 Top Star: LUB - Jan Melichercik (1g,3a 4pts.)

Dec. 3 @ Youngstown L 1-3 Top Star: LUB - Jonathan Gagnon (2 PP goals)

WEEK AHEAD

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

Tue. Dec. 6 7:00 pm @ Odessa Jackalopes Radio: KKAM 1340 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Lubbock Cotton Kings close out a four-game road trip in a Southwest Division leading showdown in Odessa against the Jackalopes. The contest is the fifth meeting of the season and the fourth in Odessa, where the Jacks have a 2-1-0 record against Lubbock this season. The overall season series is split 2-2-0 this season and the both teams enter the contest tied atop the Southwest Division with 21 standing points. Nolan Graham (3g,2a) has five points to lead the season series offensively for the Kings, while Odessa's Matt Cressman (3g) and Sebastien Thinel (1g,2a) each have three points for Odessa against Lubbock. Lubbock is 23-34-5 all-time against the Jacks', while Odessa is 39-20-3 against the Kings in the all-time series. Odessa's Scott Hillman is the all-time series scoring leader with 8 goals and 38 assists for 46 points. Jan Melichercik is the Cotton Kings all-time leader in scoring against Odessa with 35 points (15g,20a).

Fri. Dec. 9 7:05 pm vs. Laredo Bucks Radio: KKAM 1340 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: It is "Powerade Rally Towel Night" for the first 1,000 fans and an individual from Crestview Elementary School will have a chance to win $10,000 Friday night, as the Cotton Kings return home to host the Southern Conference and Southeast Division leading Laredo Bucks, who will come to Lubbock with a 13-6-1 record. It will be the first game of a two-game home-and-home series between the two clubs and the second meeting overall on the season. The meeting is also the 16th, all time meeting between the two clubs. Laredo, who leads the season series 1-0-0 after a 4-0 win on November 23rd, has dominated the all-time series with a 12-1-2 series mark. Lubbock is 3-11-1 all-time against the Bucks. Laredo's Chris Grenville leads the all-time series with 16 points (9g,7a), while Lubbock is led in the series by Paul Fioroni, who has registered 8 points (1g,7a) all-time against the Bucks.

Sat. Dec. 10 7:30 pm @ Laredo Bucks Radio: KKAM 1340 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The home and home series with Laredo will conclude Saturday night in Laredo. Lubbock is 1-6-2 all-time at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Bucks are 8-1-0 this season on home ice. The meeting is the final meeting between the two teams this season.

Sun. Dec. 10 5:00 pm @ Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: Lubbock wraps up the week on the road with a Sunday matinee contest against the Corpus Christi Rayz. The meeting is the first of four meetings on the season, with each team hosting a pair of games. Lubbock has dominated the all-time series with Corpus Christi with an 11-1-1 record. The Kings are 6-1-1 all-time in games played in Corpus Christi. Last season, the Kings swept the two-game season series with former Kings Darren Shakotko (1g,2a) and Matt Turek (3a) each gathering three points to lead the series. Corpus Christi has a revamped roster from last season, anchored by former San Angelo goaltender Scott Reid, who is 10-6-2 all-time against the Kings.

KING BIRTHDAYS:

Nolan Brown (26) 12/5

Nolan Graham (26) 12/8

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2005


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