Lubbock vs Odessa Preview

Published on March 17, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


IT IS THE END OF THE RAINBOW, BUT THERE IS NO POT OF GOLD Even though it is St. Patrick's Day today, there is no "Luck of the Irish" floating around for Lubbock, as the Cotton Kings wrap up their season today hosting the Odessa Jackalopes. Lubbock will seek to close out the season on a high note, as they look to grab their only win of the season over the Jackalopes. The Jackalopes are the Southwest Division Champions and they will finish the regular season with the CHL's best regular season record. New Mexico's loss to El Paso last night and Lubbock's win over Amarillo insured the Cotton Kings at least a tie of third place in the division.

THE SERIES This is the tenth meeting of the season between Odessa and Lubbock and the 29th overall regular season meeting all-time. Odessa leads the season series 9-0-0 and the all-time regular season series with an 18-9-1 record. Odessa's Trevor Allman leads the season series in scoring with 14 points (8g,6a) and John Bossio leads the all-time series with 27 points (15g,12a). Jan Melichercik leads Lubbock in the season series with 8 points (5g, 3a), and he also leads the Cotton Kings active roster in the all-time series scoring with 12 points. THE LAST MEETING On March 2nd,Odessa Jackalopes forward Mike Sanderson scored a "walk-off" overtime game winning goal 2:23 into the overtime frame to defeat the Lubbock Cotton Kings 5-4 in front of 5,740 fans at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. The Cotton Kings came storming back from a 3-1 deficit in the second period with Walker McDonald tapping in an Adam Robbins rebound and ending the period with a Blaz Emersic power play goal. With less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Cotton Kings took their first lead of the game with a power play goal by Jan Melichercik. It appeared as if the Cotton Kings were going to grab their first win over the Jackalopes this season until the Jacks' tied it up at 4-4 with 4:47 remaining. Tim Stay was able to shuffle the puck towards the net from the right circle and Lubbock goaltender Neil Savary lost it under his pads to give Stay his first goal of the season. The score remained tied until Sanderson's game winner. Lubbock out-shot the Jacks' 45-18, but Odessa converted on every Lubbock miscue, and Savary was only able to stop 13 of the shots. The Jackalopes scored on their very first shot and their very last.

ROSTER CHANGES Lubbock is without Adam Robbins (thumb) and Grady Manson (orbital bone), who each remain on the injured reserve list. The Jackalopes roster lists a healthy Jacks' squad.

STANDINGS ‘Kings - 71 points, 3rd place, 27 points back, Southwest Division. Jackalopes – 98 points, 1st place, Southwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS ‘Kings – Several tied with 63 points; Blaz Emersic 29 goals; Cosmo Dupaul 45 assists; Paul Fioroni 224 penalty minutes. Jackalopes – Trevor Allman 64 points; Trevor Allman 37 goals; Mike Sanderson 34 assists; Rob Frid 223 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS ‘Kings – Power play: 17.4% (45/258), 10th , Penalty killing: 82.4% (224/272) 6th. Jackalopes – 16.8% (52/309), 12th, Penalty killing: 86.8% (224/258) 2nd.

GOALTENDERS ‘Kings – Lance Leslie (13-12-5, 0 SO, 2.92), Neil Savary (12-9-5, 0 SO, 2.90). Jackalopes – Mike Gorman (32-7-3, 5 SO, 2.16), Joe Harris (14-4-3, 1 SO, 2.34)

WHAT'S NEXT Today ends the 2001-2002 CHL Regular Season!

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2002


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