Sports stats



Rayz Hold Off Bees 4-3

December 22, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Tx - For the fifth time this season, out of six meetings, there was another game decided by one goal in a contest between the Corpus Christi Rayz and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, and the one goal difference came on a power play goal by Matt Noga, as the Rayz defeated the Killer Bees 4-3 Wednesday Night at the Dodge Arena.

The Bees had their opportunities in the opening period, with three power play opportunities (even a five-on-three opportunity) and 19 shots on goal, but it was the Rayz who struck first. 8:05 into the game, Ken McKay registered his fourth goal in five games and his tenth of the season by scraping up a loose puck between some skates at the low-point and placed a wrist shot into the top shelf over the shoulder of goaltender Jeff Levy. The 19 shots on goal for the Bees was the second most single-period production of shots on goal this season and a first period high for the year, and Josh Blackburn's 19 saves in the period ties as the third most saves by a Bees opposing goaltender in a first period.

The Rayz took a 2-0 lead with a goal by Dave Gilmore 6:15 into the second, before the Bees responded with their first goal of the game. Daymen Bencharski intercepted a Rayz outlet pass, just holding it in the zone at the point, and took two strides to the low-point before firing a shot over the shoulder of Blackburn for his first professional unassisted goal. The goal was just the fifth second period goal of the season scored on home ice.

Last time the two teams played (Dec. 11th), the Bees tied the contest up early in the third period but then gave up a quick goal to the Rayz and could not catch up from their. Tonight was almost a carbon copy, with the same score (2-1) to start the third period. The Killer Bees tied the contest up with a power play goal 1:53 into the period by Joe Guenther, but then came the Rayz to regain the lead. Clark Udle tallied a highlight-reel goal at the 6:08 mark by taking the puck deep in the right-slot and sliding it behind Bees defenseman Sean Gillam, as Bees defenseman Sean Gillam was grasping Udle, and Udle was able to regain possession of the puck just enough to stab it between the pads of Levy while being tossed to the ice. The Rayz then extended their lead to 4-2 with a power play goal 1:38 later by Matt Noga. Rio Grande Valley, who was able to overcome a 4-1 third period deficit Saturday night against Oklahoma City, attempted to do the same tonight with a goal by Bill Newson with 4:19 remaining to cut the lead to 4-3, but the Rayz were able to hold off the Bees the rest of the way.

The Bees out-shot the Rayz 40-24 in the contest, but Josh Blackburn, who now moves to 3-0-0 against the Bees this season, was the difference stopping 37 of 40 shots. Levy, who stopped 20 of 24 shots, was denied his 100th career win and will seek to complete the task Tuesday night as the Bees will host the Laredo Bucks to close the Christmas break. With the win by Corpus Christi, the Rayz move into sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with a 13-8-3 record. The Bees fall to 8-15-1.

-------------------------------------------------- Corpus Christi 1 1 2 -- 4 Rio Grande Valley 0 1 2 -- 3 --------------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: CRP-McKay (Gilmore, Carter) 8:05. Penalties: Smith, RGV (Fisticuffs, Major, 5 min) 0:04. Stayzer, CRP (Fisticuffs, Major, 5 min) 0:04. Shmyr, RGV (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Minor, 2 min) 0:31. Miller, CRP (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Minor, 2 min) 0:31. McIver, CRP (Tripping, Minor, 2 min) 3:16. Aslund, RGV (Hooking, Minor, 2 min) 5:58. Hawes, RGV (Holding Stick, Minor, 2 min) 8:27. Kralj, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 10:44. Baird, CRP (Roughing, Double Minor, 4 min) 10:44. McIver, CRP (Delay of Game, Minor, 2 min) 11:49. Holland, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 14:56. Udle, CRP (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 14:56.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: CRP-Gilmore (McKay) 6:15. RGV-Bencharski 7:14. Penalties: Shmyr, RGV (Slashing, Minor, 2 min) 20:00. McIver, CRP (Slashing, Minor, 2 min) 20:00.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: RGV-Guenther (powerplay) (Gillam, Mizerek) 1:53. CRP-Udle (Bullock) 6:08. CRP-Noga (powerplay) (Baird, Jackson) 7:46. RGV-Newson (Mizerek) 15:41. Penalties: Baird, CRP (Disputing Official Dec, Bench Minor, 2 min) 0:00. Tessier, RGV (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Minor, 2 min) 3:02. Baird, CRP (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Minor, 2 min) 3:02. Mizerek, RGV (Hooking, Minor, 2 min) 6:57.

Shots on goal: -------------------------------------------------- Corpus Christi 10 6 8 -- 24 Rio Grande Valley 19 14 7 -- 40 --------------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Corpus Christi - 1 of 3, Rio Grande Valley - 1 of 4 Goalies: Corpus Christi, Josh Blackburn (40 shots, 37 saves;) Rio Grande Valley, Jeff Levy (24 shots, 20 saves;) A: 4,875. Referees Mark Hulshof. Linesmen: Chris Libett, Moe LeBlanc.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central