Rio Grande Valley vs. Corpus Christi Preview

Published on February 8, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

GAME NIGHT PREVIEW

Corpus Christi Rayz (16-26-3) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (21-20-6)

DATE: 2/8/04 TIME: 6:00 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

HOMECOMING

Finally, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees return back to "The Hive" after a season long two-week six-game road trip and face off with the Corpus Christi Rayz. The Bees, who split the road trip with a 3-3-0 record, return home seeking to begin a new winning streak and extend a three-game home winning streak. Corpus Christi, who has lost six of their last seven, is looking to end a three-game winless streak. The Rayz are the seventh seeded team in the Southern Conference and are 13 standing-points behind the Killer Bees, who hold the last playoff spot. The Bees are two standing-points ahead of Austin, who hosts the Tulsa Oilers today.

THE SERIES

This is the ninth meeting between the Rayz and Bees this season and the fifth at the Dodge Arena. The Killer Bees have won four of the last five meetings and lead the series with a 4-2-2 record. Bees forward Bill Newson leads the series in scoring with 9 points off 5 goals and 4 assists, while the Rayz are led by forwards Dan Shermerhorn (4g,4a) and Jay Woodcroft (3g,5a), who each have 8 points.

THE LAST MEETING

On January 17th, the Bees last trip to Corpus Christi, Bees goaltender Jacque Vezina had his worst performance of the season, allowing six goals. His return trip would be much better, as Jacque Vezina stopped all 25 shots fired by the Corpus Christi Rayz to shutout the Rayz 4-0 Friday night for Vezina's second consecutive shutout and third shutout of the season.

Wednesday night in Austin, the Bees scored their earliest goal to begin a period, opening the third period with a goal 28-seconds into the period. The Bees topped that mark in the second period of play with a goal 20-seconds into the second period. Jason Tessier drove in from the point and fired the puck off of the leg pads of Rayz goaltender Greg Hewitt, retrieved the rebound and put the puck past Hewitt for the 4-on-4 even strength goal. The Bees grabbed more production from their blueliners at the end of the second period of play. With 1:49 remaining in the period, the Bees grabbed a 2-0 lead with their fifth shorthanded goal of the season. Bees forward Andrew Taylor pressured Rayz defenseman Clint Way, forcing Way to cough up the puck behind his own net. Matic Kralj took the puck in the left circle and passed the puck to a streaking Sean Gillam, who was streaking in from the blueline. The Bees defenseman deked Hewitt and slid the puck through his five-hole for his fifth goal of the season and his second shorthanded goal of his eight year pro career.

It would be the forwards helping out in the third period of play. Veteran forward Ryan Shmyr scored his single-season career high ninth goal of the season 5:37 into the period, capping off a great individual effort by Bill Newson. Newson brought the puck down the left side and danced past defenseman Mike Rodriguez to put nothing between him and Hewitt. Newson couldn't get the shot past Hewitt, but the rebound fell right on the stick of Shmyr in the left slot, and he slid the puck across the goal line. Bees closed out the scoring with 6:29 remaining, as Troy Linna received the puck from rookie Jason Hawes and put it in the back of the net for his tenth goal of the season.

ROSTER CHANGES

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees list a full roster for tonight's game. The Rayz are without forwards Dan Shermerhorn (thumb) and Jim Leger (leg), who are each on the 14-Day IR. Forward Team Captain Ken Richardson has missed the last two games with a foot injury.

STANDINGS

Bees - 48 points, 2nd place, 32 points back, Southeast Division.

Rayz – 35 points, 4th place, 45 points back Southeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Bill Newson 41 points; Bill Newson 22 goals; Several Tied with 19 assists; Ryan Shmyr 182 penalty minutes.

Rayz – Mike Tilson 33 points; Jay Woodcroft 16 goals; Mike Tilson 23 assists; Brad Wingfield 215 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 14.2% 12th, Penalty killing: 85.5% 6th.

Rayz – Power play: 12.8% 15th, Penalty killing: 80.3% 16th.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (17-15-4, 4 SO, 2.34), Jacque Vezina (4-5-2, 3 SO, 2.34).

Rayz – Greg Hewitt (3-5-0, 0 SO, 2.95), Craig Hillier (0-2-0, 0 SO, 5.92)

WHAT'S NEXT

Rio Grande Valley – Friday, February 13th 7:30 PM vs. Laredo Bucks Dodge Arena

Corpus Christi – Wednesday, February 11th 7:05 PM vs. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Memorial Coliseum

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2004


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