Lubbock vs Amarillo Game Night Preview
March 16, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
AMARILLO BY MOURNING Last night, the Cotton Kings were excited to get back on the bus, return to Lubbock, and play another meaningful game tonight against the Amarillo Rattlers. Excited, because the âKings defeated Amarillo 3-1, Odessa defeated El Paso 3-1, and their last gasp of hope, San Angelo, was leading New Mexico 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining. The Cotton Kings were focused that if they could then have New Mexico beat El Paso for their two final games and have themselves win their final two games, then they could make their postseason plans. Unfortunately, the focus was then replaced of other thoughts, as the final score was announced from San Angelo. New Mexico scored 3 goals in the final nine minutes, including the game winning goal by Chris Richards with 5 seconds remaining. Ironic for Richards, as he leads the Scorpions with 10 game winning goals, and 4 are against the Lubbock Cotton Kings. Although this game winning goal was not credited towards the Cotton Kings, it could be listed as a sentimental game winning goal against Lubbock, because it knocks the Cotton Kings out of the playoffs.
THE SERIES Lubbock leads the all-time series 22-7-3, with a 7-2-1 series record this season. Cotton Kings defenseman Barry McKinlay leads the âKings in the season series scoring with 13 points off of 5 goals and 8 assists, while Dorian Anneck leads the Rattlers against the âKings with 14 points (8g,6a) this season. Dupaul is the all-time active series leader with 24 points (11g,13a) and ranks second overall all-time against Amarillo behind former Cotton King Kyle Reeves.
THE LAST MEETING These two squads met last night in Amarillo, with the Cotton Kings collecting a 3-1 victory. The game featured a goaltending display by Lubbock's Neil Savary and Amarillo's Jean-Francois Laniel, as the two teams combined for 81 shots on goal (AMA-40, LUB-41). The Rattlers jumped on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second period, but Dave MacIntyre would quickly answer Dorian Anneck's goal to tie the game at 1-1. âKings forward Jeff Dewar collected the third period highlights, as he scored the game winning goal and the empty net goal in the closing moments to record his first professional two-goal game.
ROSTER CHANGES Lubbock is without Adam Robbins (thumb) and Grady Manson (orbital bone), who each remain on the injured reserve list. Amarillo is without forward Eric Silverman, who is injured.
STANDINGS âKings - 69 points, 4th place (tied), 27 points back, Southwest Division. Rattlers â 44 points, 4th place, 33 points back Northwest Division.
TEAM LEADERS âKings â Jan Melichercik 62 points; Blaz Emersic 29 goals; Several tied with 43 assists; Paul Fioroni 209 penalty minutes. Rattlers â Dorian Anneck 73 points; Dorian Anneck 41 goals; Dorian Anneck 32 assists; David Rattray 258 penalty minutes.
SPECIAL TEAMS âKings â Power play: 17.5% (45/257), 10th. Penalty killing: 82.2% (221/269) 6th. Rattlers â 14.1% (39/277), 14th. Penalty killing: 78.6% (220/280) 15th.
GOALTENDERS âKings â Lance Leslie (15-13-5, 0 SO, 2.86), Neil Savary (14-9-6, 0 SO, 2.84). Rattlers â Al Rooney (7-10-0, 0 SO, 3.53), Jean-Francois Laniel (3-5-1, 0 SO, 3.80).
WHAT'S NEXT LUBBOCK â Sunday, March 17 vs Odessa Jackalopes 3:05 PM Lubbock Municipal Coliseum AMARILLO â Sunday, March 17 vs Wichita Thunder 6:11 PM Cal Farley Coliseum
Central Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2002
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- Lubbock vs Amarillo Game Night Preview - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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