Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update

January 14, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release


Jan. 9 vs. Amarillo Gorillas, 5-2 Win - Leading 2-1 through two periods, Rocky Mountain gave-up a tying goal about six minutes into the third but rebounded to score three times over the final 5:13. Five different Rage players found the back of the net throughout the contest, and Guy St. Vincent stopped 35 of 37 to grab his second victory in as many starts this season.

Jan. 11 vs. Wichita Thunder, 7-5 Win - In the final game of their seven-game season series, the Rage nearly squandered two separate three-goal leads but finally held on to prevail in a chippy contest. The line of Brent Cullaton, Daymen Rycroft, and Trevor Weisgerber combined for 13 points (4g-9a) as the team closed out play against Wichita this year with a 5-1-1 record.

Jan. 12 @ Colorado Eagles, 6-5 Loss - Rocky Mountain concluded the first half of the campaign looking to defeat the defending President's Cup Champions for the fourth straight game in the season series and for the third consecutive game on the Eagles' home ice. The Rage jumped out to an early 3-1 lead before Colorado rode a dominant second period to a 4-3 edge heading to the third. Rocky Mountain twice tied the game at 4-4 and 5-5, but in the end it wasn't enough despite a hat trick from Rycroft.

THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, Jan. 16, CHL All-Star Game, Broomfield Event Center, 7:05 p.m.

Radio: The New ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 6:40 p.m.

Live Audio and Video Webcast: www.rockymountainrage.com

Friday, Jan. 18, @ Amarillo Gorillas, Amarillo Civic Center, 6:05 p.m.

Radio: The New ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 5:55 p.m.

Live Audio and Video Webcast: www.rockymountainrage.com

Saturday, Jan. 19, vs. Colorado Eagles, 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

RYCROFT KEEPS ROLLING

Daymen Rycroft became the first Rage player to score 20 goals in a season when he scored a game-winning goal last Sunday against the Oklahoma City Blazers, but that achievement was only a prelude to the three games this past week during which he racked up another six tallies to take over the league goal-scoring lead and match his career high of 26 goals. In addition to his hat trick on Saturday against the Eagles, the fourth-year pro recorded three points (1g-2a) on Wednesday and five points (2g-3a) on Friday on his way to an 11-point week (6g-5a). Rycroft is also first in the CHL with 12 power play markers, tied for second with five game-winning goals, and tied for ninth with 45 points (26g-19a) overall.

CULLATON SETS RAGE SCORING RECORD

While Rycroft keeps adding to his team record for most goals in a season, his linemate, Brent Cullaton, has set a new Rage record for most points in a season. With three assists on Saturday, Cullaton now has 53 points, surpassing the 50 points Mark Wires posted last season. The Rage captain reaches the All-Star Break with a league-leading 45 assists and tied for third in overall scoring.

STORY OF THE FIRST HALF

It's only fitting that the CHL is holding its mid-season celebration at Broomfield Event Center as the Rage have to be the top story league-wide from the first half of the campaign. The club leads the CHL in winning percentage (.797) with a record of 24-5-3 only a year after going 17-40-7 on its way to a last-place finish. As the entire league travels to Broomfield for the All-Star Game on Wednesday, goaltender Scott Reid leads the CHL with 18 wins, three players are in the top 10 in scoring (Cullaton, Rycroft, and Scott Wray), and Tyler Butler is tied for second in scoring among defensemen.

MORELLI MAKES HIS MOVE

Rage centerman David Morelli had just three points through the season's first 23 games. But beginning with his game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory over the Eagles on Dec. 26, the second-year pro now has points in five straight and seven of the last nine.

DUNBAR ELIGIBLE TO RETURN

It's been a long six weeks for Terry Dunbar as the Rage netminder finally re-gained his eligibility to play on Saturday after serving a 15-game suspension. To make room for Dunbar on the active roster for the first time since Dec. 1, Rocky Mountain waived fellow goaltender Guy St. Vincent prior to the game in Colorado.

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 14, 2008


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