Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update

January 7, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 2-0-1

OVERALL RECORD: 22-4-3, 47 pts.

1st Place Northwest Division

Jan. 7 vs. Amarillo Gorillas, 3-1 Win - The Rage opened 2008 with a victory as Nathan Rosychuk and Brent Cullaton each scored break-away goals in the third period to end a 1-1 stalemate after two periods. Goaltender Guy St. Vincent was very sharp between the pipes, picking up the victory in his first start of the season.

Jan. 5 @ Wichita Thunder, 2-1 Overtime Loss - Although they peppered Wichita goaltender Sebastien Laplante with 42 shots on goal, only David Morelli found the back of the net to tie the game at one mid-way through the third period. After failing to convert on a power play to begin overtime, Rocky Mountain ultimately fell when the Thunder's only shot on goal in the extra session was actually a pass that deflected off a Rage player and into the net for the game-winner.

Jan. 6 @ Oklahoma City Blazers, 3-2 Win - A more disciplined Rocky Mountain team skated on seven power plays to just one for the Blazers in this tight contest, which in the end proved the difference as Daymen Rycroft scored the game-winner on the man advantage with exactly eight minutes remaining in regulation.

THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, Jan. 9, vs. Amarillo Gorillas, 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

Friday, Jan. 11, vs. Wichita Thunder, 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, Jan. 12, @ 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.

RYCROFT SETS RAGE GOAL-SCORING RECORD

With his game-winning goal on Sunday, Daymen Rycroft set a new team goal-scoring mark and in the process became the first player to score 20 goals in a single season in a Rage sweater. His 20 tallies are currently the second highest total in the CHL and are one more than the 19 goals former Rocky Mountain centerman Mark Wires posted last season. Rycroft's difference-maker was also his league-leading 10th power play goal. Linemate Trevor Weisgerber scored 20 goals last season, but only half of them were scored with the Rage as he arrived in a mid-season trade from the Lubbock Cotton Kings.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Rage have the best road record in the league with a mark of 10-2-1. The club is riding a six-game road unbeaten streak (5-0-1) that began with a 6-2 win in Wichita on Dec. 5. Quick starts have been the key to their success away from the BEC as they are 8-0-0 when scoring first on the road.

SHOOTING GALLERY

Rocky Mountain averages the third most shots on goal in the CHL, firing just more than 36 pucks on net per game. Shot totals are a good barometer of the team's success. The Rage are basically unbeatable at 16-0-2 when out-shooting their opposition but mere mortals when they've been outgunned with a 6-4-1 record.

CULLATON PASSES WRAY ON TEAM SCORING ROLLS

The Rage's two All-Star starters figure to battle it out for the team's top scoring honors throughout the rest of the season as Brent Cullaton (44 pts.) passed Scott Wray (43 pts.) last week. Wray had been leading the way ever since he recorded three points (2g-1a) on opening night in a 3-2 win over Odessa. But the league's seventh-leading scorer has hit a bit of a dry spell as of late, recording just two points over his last seven games played. His goal to open the game on Sunday was his first tally since Dec. 14. Cullaton, meanwhile, has points in 19 of the last 22 games. The Rage captain is the CHL's most prolific play-maker with 38 assists and is tied for sixth in overall scoring.

RAGE SNAPSHOTS

Goaltender Scott Reid leads the league in wins after running his record to 17-2-2 following Sunday's win in Oklahoma City...Tyler Butler is still tied for fourth in the CHL in scoring among defensemen with 30 points (9g-21a) but has hit a drought after setting a team record with points in 16 straight games. He's been held without a point over the past six games since the streak ended on Dec. 26...As last week showed, the Rage are a clutch hockey team in close games. They are 9-0-3 in one-goal contests and 6-0-1 when tied heading to the third period.

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 are on sale with prices ranging from $18-$43 per seat (parking included). 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 January 7, 2008


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