Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update

December 23, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 1-1-0

OVERALL RECORD: 18-3-2, 38 pts.

1st Place Northwest Division

Dec. 21 vs. New Mexico Scorpions, 4-2 W - The third time was the charm for the Rage as they defeated the Scorpions for the first time in three tries this season. Tyler Butler recorded four points (1g-3a), including the game-winning goal on the power play mid-way through the third less than a minute after New Mexico had tied the game at two.

Dec. 22 vs. Wichita Thunder, 4-1 L - Scoreless through nearly 35 minutes of hockey, Rocky Mountain took a 1-0 lead off Simon Watson's 14th of the year. The Thunder stormed back, though, scoring twice before the second period ended and adding an insurance goal 1:21 into the third on their way to ending a 10-game road losing skid. It was the Rage's first regulation loss at Broomfield Event Center this season, ending a 12-game home unbeaten streak (10-0-2) and snapping the team's six-game winning streak overall.

THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, Dec. 26, @ Colorado Eagles, Budweiser Events Center, 7:05 p.m.

Radio: The New ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 6:55 p.m.

Live Audio and Video Webcast: www.rockymountainrage.com

Friday, Dec. 28, vs. Oklahoma City Blazers, Broomfield Event Center, 7:05 p.m.

Radio: The New ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 6:55 p.m.

Live Audio and Video Webcast: www.rockymountainrage.com

Saturday, Dec. 29 vs. Tulsa Oilers, Broomfield Event Center, 7:05 p.m.

Promotion: The Rage will wear Throw-back Jerseys, which will be auctioned off following the game to support the Broomfield Event Center Foundation

Radio: The New ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 6:55 p.m.

Live Audio and Video Webcast: www.rockymountainrage.com.

FRONT RANGE RIVALRY RESUMES

The Rage still sit atop the Northwest Division with the league's highest winning percentage (.826) and 38 points in the standings, but they did give up a little ground to the second-place Colorado Eagles last week. Rocky Mountain's loss to Wichita on Saturday coupled with the Eagles' 3-2 shootout win over the Scorpions trimmed Rocky Mountain's edge in the division to eight points. A big "four-point" game looms on Wednesday between the two division rivals in the fourth game of their 12-game season series. The Rage lead the season series with a record of 2-0-1, which includes a 5-3 win the last time the teams clashed on Nov. 21 at the Budweiser Events Center.

BUTLER KEEPS STREAKING

While several streaks came to an end for the Rage on Saturday, one impressive streak did not. Tyler Butler's team-record point-scoring streak remained intact for a 16th straight game. Butler is now the leading scorer among league defensemen with 30 points (9g-21a), 24 of which have come since his streak began on Nov. 9.

SCOTT REID MOVES INTO A TIE FOR 8TH ALL-TIME

Goaltender Scott Reid picked up his 110th career CHL victory on Friday against New Mexico, moving the seventh-year pro into a tie for eighth on the league's all-time wins list with former CHL netminders Chad Erickson and Nathan Grobins. Despite taking the loss on Saturday - his first in regulation this year - Reid still leads the league with 14 victories.

LEAGUE LEADERS UPDATE

Scott Wray ended Saturday's action as the second leading scorer in the CHL with 42 points. His 17 goals are tied for second league-wide, along with teammate Daymen Rycroft...Brent Cullaton had his fourth three-assist game of the year on Friday, giving him 32 helpers on the season. The Rage captain is tied as the league's most prolific playmaker with Arizona's Tyler Redenbach...Rycroft is tied for second in the CHL with eight power play goals this season.

STUNG BY THE SCORPIONS

Wray is thankful the Rage won't see the Scorpions again until March 15, their second-to-last home game of the year. Rocky Mountain's leading scorer has points in 20 of the team's 23 games this season - all three pointless nights coming against New Mexico.

The Rage will host the 2008 CHL All-Star festivities on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 15 and 16, at Broomfield Event Center. The All-Star Banquet, which is open to the public, will be held on the 15th. The banquet features the introduction of the two All-Star Teams plus a performance by Denver resident and 2005 Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue. The All-Star Game will be played on the 16th, when the Northern and Southern Conferences will square-off in a battle for supremacy between the most talented players in the league.

Single-game tickets for the 2007-08 regular season are on sale now with prices ranging from $18-$43 per seat (parking included). Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also still available by calling 303-439-RAGE.

To purchase tickets to both All-Star events or single-game tickets for the remainder of the 2007-08 regular season, please visit www.rockymountainrage.com or www.Ticketmaster.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2007


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