Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update
December 29, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Dec. 26 @ New Mexico Scorpions, 6-2 Win - The Rage generated a season-high 22 shots on goal in the first period as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead through 20 minutes and never looked back. Brent Cullaton led the way with two goals and one assist, and goaltender Scott Reid made a team season-high 40 saves in the winning effort.
Dec. 27 vs. Laredo Bucks, 3-2 Shootout Win - Down 2-1 after two periods, Mike Bulawka scored 6:55 into the third to eventually force overtime. Following a scoreless extra session, David Morelli, Cullaton, and Colt King all scored in the shootout while Marty Magers stopped three of four Bucks shooters to secure the victory.
Dec. 28 vs. Laredo Bucks, 3-2 Overtime Win - In the finale of a two-game set, the tables were turned from the night before as Laredo was forced to come from behind after trailing 2-1 to begin the third. The Bucks' Erick Lizon tied the game at two 4:47 into the final frame before Morelli delivered the game-winner for Rocky Mountain 1:40 into overtime.
THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING GAMES
Wednesday, Dec. 31, @ Rapid City Rush, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, 7:05 p.m.
Radio: ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 6:55 p.m.
Live Audio & Video Webcast: CHL Network on www.rockymountainrage.com
Friday, Jan. 2, @ New Mexico Scorpions, Santa Ana Star Center, 7:15 p.m.
Radio: ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 7 p.m.
Live Audio and Video Webcast: CHL Network on www.rockymountainrage.com
Saturday, Jan. 3, vs. Amarillo Gorillas, Broomfield Event Center, 7:05 p.m.
Radio: ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 6:55 p.m.
Live Audio and Video Webcast: CHL Network on www.rockymountainrage.com
Sunday, Jan. 4, vs. Rapid City Rush, Broomfield Event Center, 3:05 p.m.
Post-game Party: Join all the Rage players at LoDo's Bar & Grill in Westminster (104th and Federal) following the game!
Radio: ESPN Radio 1600, LIVE at 2:55 p.m.
Live Audio and Video Webcast: CHL Network on www.rockymountainrage.com
LONG ROAD BACK TO .500
Rocky Mountain began the opening weekend of the season getting outscored a combined 14-3 by Laredo and Rio Grande Valley, and things only got worse as its record spiraled downward to 1-7-0 through eight games. Since then, though, the club has gone 12-6-2 to climb back to the .500 mark. The Rage begin the week five points ahead of the Rapid City Rush for both second place in the Northwest Division and the fifth and final playoff position in the Northern Conference.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMP- ... GETS YOU BACK TO .500
Rocky Mountain's resurgence since the first month of the season certainly isn't due to its offense which is still ranked 14th in the league by generating only 2.86 goals per game. Team defense has been the key. Throw out those first eight games when the club was giving up an even 5 goals/game, and the Rage would be sixth in the defensive rankings having yielded 2.80 goals/game over their 20-game run.
FINALLY, THE TRIFECTA
Saturday's shootout victory against the Bucks marked the fourth time the Rage won consecutive games this season, but they had failed on the three prior occasions to extend their winning streak. David Morelli's heroics on Sunday finally captured that elusive third win in a row.
WORKING OVERTIME
Rocky Mountain has played a league-high eight extra time games this season, including six of its last 10. The club has prevailed in six of the eight, going 3-0 in overtime and 3-2 in shootouts. Contrast the Rage's success rate with that of the team with the next most OT/SO games, Rapid City, which is 0-2 in overtime and 0-5 in tie-breakers. Two more extra time tidbits: 1) Rocky Mountain's last four home wins have all required at least overtime and have all been tied at two through 60 minutes, and 2) Scott Reid has been in goal for all three overtime-decided contests while Marty Magers has manned the pipes during all five shootouts.
SHORT-HANDED RARITY
Brent Cullaton's second goal on Friday in New Mexico was a short-handed tally, but this was no ordinary shortie. He converted on a break-away to score the team's first-ever short-handed goal while down 5-on-3. The Rage have given up one such short-handed goal in their 2+ seasons in the league. Ironically, it occurred in the same building when former Scorpion Mike Prpich scored with his club down two men.
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