Rio Grande Valley Killers Bees Weekly

Published on November 10, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


AMERICAN MADE

The thought of having a hockey team in the Rio Grande Valley playing three miles north of the Mexican border in a brand new arena that has sold out 3 of 4 of its home games would be shocking to some and classified as a "rare." As rare as it may be, what is rare is what's on the Killer Bees roster... two American goaltenders. Hudson, Wisconsin native Jacque Vezina and Jeff Levy, who lists Salt Lake City, Utah as his hometown, complete the goaltenders on the Killer Bees roster. The pair make the Killer Bees the only CHL team and one of only four teams in all of minor professional hockey (99 teams in all) to have two active American born goaltenders on their roster, joining the American Hockey League's (AHL) Rochester Americans (how ironic), the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, the United Hockey League's (UHL) Kalamazoo Wings and the World Hockey Association 2's (WHA2) Jacksonville Barracudas. Both goaltenders have also gained success this season, as Levy earned Vaughn Central Hockey League Goaltender of the Week honors in week two of the season and the rookie Vezina built up a shutout sequence of 62:46 in a span of three appearances.

BEE OF THE WEEK

Each week, a Killer Bee will be highlighted as the Killer Bees "Player of the Week" for their efforts in the prior week's games. This week's "Bee of the Week" honor goes to forward Roger Holeczy. Holeczy (ho-leh-kee), a native of Lake Forest Illinois, led all Killer Bee scorers on the week, contributing 2 goals and an assist for 3 points in 3 games. He led the squad with a goal and an assist for 2 points in Austin and then capped off the weekend with a goal Sunday against Amarillo to earn his 100th point of his professional career. Holeczy currently ranks third on the squad in points with 5 off of 2 goals and 3 assists.

POWER PLAY CONTINUES TO LEAD THE CHL

The Killer Bees are 0 for 7 in their last two games on the power play, but still continue to lead the CHL in power play percentage with a percentage of 22.9%. On the week, the Killer Bees were 2 for 11 on the power play, scoring both goals on the road in Austin Friday night to push their road power play goals total to a league high 8. Killer Bees defensemen Mike Rees and Jason Tessier each have two power play goals to co-lead CHL defensemen.

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE

There is a correction to be made to the Killer Bees pocket schedules that have already been published and distributed throughout the Valley. The pocket schedules mention that the Killer Bees are in Odessa on Friday, November 14th, but the Killer Bees will actually be in San Angelo battling the Saints.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Fri. Nov. 7 3-4 L @ Austin

Top Star: AUS-Brent Hughes (3 goals - Hat trick)

Sat. Nov. 8 0-6 L vs Laredo

Top Star: LAR-Patrik Nilson (3 points - 2g,1a)

Sun. Nov. 9 2-3 L vs Amarillo

Top Star: AMA-Darrell Upton (2 goals)

WEEK AHEAD

Fri. Nov. 14 7:05 @ San Angelo Saints Radio: XERT 1170 AM Notes: The Killer Bees open up their third consecutive three-in-three weekend set of the season as they make their second voyage to San Angelo this season. The Killer Bees played their first inaugural contest in San Angelo and lost 3-1 to the Saints. The season series is tied, with each team holding a 1-1-0 record against each other. San Angelo's Chris Minard (3 goals) and Ryan Finnerty (3 assists) lead the series offensively with 3 points each. Minard has tallied 3 of his 5 goals against the Killer Bees this season. Mike Rees leads the Bees in the series with 2 points (1g,1a).

Sat. Nov. 15 7:05 @ San Angelo Saints Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: For the first time this season, the Bees play consecutive road games at the same location in consecutive nights, as the Bees square off once again with the Saints. The Bees are 2-2-0 on Saturdays.

Sun. Nov. 16 3:00 vs Austin Ice Bats Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: The Bees will try once again to gain their first division win, as they currently sit with a 0-2-2 division record. This will be the first meeting between the two squads at the Dodge Arena and second of the season. Brent Hughes recorded a hat trick in the series opener last Friday night to defeat the Bees 4-3. Roger Holeczy leads the Bees in the series with 2 points (1g,1a). Game begins at 3PM to not conflict with the Dallas Cowboys game.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2003


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