
Lubbock Weekly Notes
January 13, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS
2002-03 WEEKLY RELEASE
FOR THE WEEK OF JAN 13 â 19TH A PERFECT WEEK
While the Cotton Kings went 2-0-0 on the week, the Southwest Division leading Odessa Jackalopes went 0-2-0, which cuts the Jackalopes lead to seven points over the âKings. Lubbock has two games-in-hand over Odessa, so if Lubbock could win those games-in-hand, it could place Lubbock 3 points behind Odessa with an even amount of games played. Odessa has struggled of late as they are enduring a nine game road trip. The Jacks' have not won a game in January and have been outscored 27-9 in their current five-game winless streak (only one goal in each of their previous four games). Odessa's road show continues this week as they play in El Paso on Friday and in New Mexico on Saturday. The âKings will not be able to sit back and see how Odessa does this weekend, as the âKings play a ferocious three-in-three weekend. Lubbock goes from Laredo on Friday to Corpus Christi on Saturday before returning home to face Amarillo Sunday evening. The âKings are 4-1-1 in three-in-three contests this season and are 2-2-0 in games played at home following games played the prior night eight hours away. Amarillo shutout Lubbock 2-0 in Lubbock the night after Lubbock was Laredo and Lubbock lost to Memphis 7-3 the night after playing in Corpus Christi on December 14th.
A RISING STAR
Cotton Kings defenseman Derek Holland made a surprise return to the âKings line-up Saturday against New Mexico. The Brandon, Manitoba native was sidelined December 15th after going in for arthroscopic knee surgery. The recovery process was quicker than normal and doctors cleared Holland to player after only missing 10 games. Holland was also named to the Dodge 2003 CHL All-Star Game last week by Austin head coach Brent Hughes and the Central Hockey League. The 6'1" 200 pound defenseman receives his third invitation to a league all-star game and his first as a non-starter in his three-year career. He has 3 goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 19 games, which is a career high pace for Holland. Holland co-led the squad in scoring amongst defensemen for the month of November with 8 points (1g,7a). He marks as the eighth Cotton Kings player appearance in a league all-star game and the only Cotton King to appear in three all-star games. Holland recorded a goal in last season's CHL All-Star Game in Corpus Christi for the winning Southern conference squad.
âKING OF THE WEEK
Blaz Emersic and Paul Fioroni have been awarded Co- âKing of the Week honors for January 6 - 12th. Emersic collected 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points in 2 games, which included his second four-point night this month to match career highs. He tallied the first hattrick of the season for Lubbock and added an assist Saturday night against New Mexico. His hattrick clinching goal was tallied in the overtime shootout to convert as the game-winning goal for Lubbock to cap off their perfect week. Fioroni is on pace for a career high season and he broke some career marks during the week. He broke a career mark with 3 assists in a game Friday night hosting San Angelo and then matched it the following night against New Mexico. Fioroni collected 6 points in two games during the week, all off of assists.
DINING WITH THE âKINGS
Chick-fil-A will be hosting "Dining With The âKings" tonight (Monday) at their 69th & Slide location from 5-9PM. Cotton Kings players will be on hand signing autographs and also working with Chik-fil-A crews to raise tips for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Fri. Jan. 10 5-1 W vs San Angelo Top Star: LUB-Paul Fioroni 3 pts. (3a)
Sat. Jan. 11 5-4 W (so) vs New Mexico Top Star: LUB-Blaz Emersic 4 pts (3g,1a)
WEEK AHEAD
Fri. Jan. 17 7:30 PM @ Laredo Bucks Radio: KKAM 1340 AM
Notes: The âKings will have their final road trip of the season to Laredo Friday night, seeking their first win in Laredo. Lubbock is 0-2-1 in Laredo this season and 1-3-1 overall against the Bucks. Blaz Emersic leads Lubbock against Laredo with 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points. All-Star Eric Schneider, who has 10 points off of 4 goals and 6 assists in 4 games, leads Laredo against Lubbock. Schneider, Chris Grenville, and Joey Sewell have combined for 14 of the 18 goals the Bucks have tallied against Lubbock this season. Sat. Jan. 18 7:05 PM @ Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: KKAM 1340 AM
Notes: This is the third match-up of the season and the first with the new nickname for Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi recently changed their name from Ice Rays to Rayz after their in-season ownership change. This will be the first time the âKings have played on the road on a Saturday night since November 16th, which is a span of eight consecutive weeks. Lubbock is 7-0-0 all-time against Corpus Christi.
Sun. Jan. 19 6:05 PM vs. Amarillo Gorillas Radio: KFYO 790 AM
Notes: The Cotton Kings close out the weekend traveling over 535 miles to host Amarillo, who travels 125 miles to Lubbock. The âKings opened up the series winning the first two games with a combined 12-0 score, but have gone 0-2-1 since and now trail the season series with the Gorillas. Amarillo shutout Lubbock 2-0 in their last visit to the Coliseum.
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- Lubbock Weekly Notes - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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