CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point for February 17, 2014

February 17, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


Three Things You Need to Know

1.) Déjà vu During Mavs Streak- The Missouri Mavericks (31-13-2) are men among boys right now sitting with three wins in three days over the weekend beating powers Allen (26-17-4) and Quad City (24-12-8). The wins on Friday and Saturday versus Allen and the Sunday afternoon versus Quad City all came by an identical 5-2 score. Over their last 10 games, the Mavs are 8-2-0, while other conference leaders from two weeks ago, Allen (3-7-0) and Rapid City (1-8-1), are struggling. Over the last 10 games, Missouri has beaten Allen three straight times and Quad City twice. Sebastien Thinel is setting the table (18 assists over his last 10 games) with Mike Ramsay (eight goals) and Eric Castonguay (seven goals) benefitting from the generosity. The Mavs and Mallards meet again on Wednesday, this time in Moline and then Missouri heads west to play second place Denver (24-13-10) on Friday and Saturday in what should be a couple of outstanding games.

Note: The Mavericks lead the league in goals for (3.67), goals against (2.72), power play (22.6%) and penalty kill (86.4%)

2.) Beast/Thunder Wrap Up Series- The Wichita Thunder (22-22-4) and Brampton Beast (24-21-5) finished their three-game series on Presidents' Day with the Thunder taking a 4-2 decision in the early start game. Matt Robinson scored a pair of goals for Wichita who won on Friday and Monday in the series and fell on Sunday. The Thunder now finds themselves just three points behind both Arizona and Tulsa for the final playoff spots. Brampton is now 10-8-3 at home this season and they stay in sixth place, two points ahead of both the Sundogs and Oilers. With the win, Wichita improves to 13-10-2 away from home this season. Matt Summers and Jon Madden also scored goals for the victors on Monday.

3.) Bumpy Road for Rush- The Rapid City Rush (28-18-1) have to take small victories these days and on Saturday, they did just that by earning a point in their 4-3 shootout loss to Quad City. It marked the first points for the Rush since February 4, a streak that covered five straight regulation losses. Back on December 23, the Rush were well atop the standings with a 20-3-0 record (first CHL team ever to record 20 wins in their first 23 games) but since that time, they have won just eight times in 24 games (8-15-1). Rapid City's start has afforded them the opportunity to get back on top as they trail first place Missouri by just seven points with roughly 20 games remaining for both teams. The Rush host St. Charles (10-33-5) on Presidents' Day and then red-hot Arizona (24-20-3) come to town for games on Friday and Saturday.

By the Numbers

5: The current point streak for the Denver Cutthroats (24-13-10) as they have climbed all the way into second place with 58 points (six fewer than conference-leading Missouri). The Cutthroats have gone 4-0-1 over their last five games winning their last four. They host Allen on Presidents' Day who is just two points behind Denver in the standings. Troy Schwab (5-3=8) and Garret Bembridge (1-7=8) have each scored eight points during the Cutthroats win streak and Kent Patterson has been in net for all five games during the streak with a 1.77 GAA and a .952 save percentage.

One-Timers

-The Tulsa Oilers (24-23-3) and the Arizona Sundogs (24-20-3) are tied with 51 points and are currently occupying the final two post-season spots. The two clubs split a pair of games in Tulsa this past weekend and they will go head-to-head on Tuesday and Wednesday in Prescott Valley where the Sundogs are 6-1-1 in their last eight home contests.

-Wichita's David Brown won his league-best fourth shootout of the season on Friday in Brampton and improved his overall record to 15-11-0. Brown has stopped 18 of 21 shooters in the extra session this season (.857 save%).

-Despite a strong performance (30 saves) in Sunday's 5-2 loss in Missouri, Quad City goalie Thomas Heemskerk suffered his first regulation loss in more than two months (Dec. 14). Heemskerk is 11-2-4 on the season with a 2.43 GAA and .921 save percentage.

-The St. Charles Chill have dropped 10 of their last 11 games which includes seven straight losses on the road. The Chill play in Rapid City on Monday night and then head to Brampton for three games this weekend (Thursday, Friday and Sunday).

-The Denver Cutthroats have earned points in six of the 14 games they have trailed after two periods going 5-8-1 in those contests.

-The four consecutive regulation losses for the Allen Americans is a franchise first.

-CHL-TV, powered by America ONE Sports, is back for a second season with monthly and season packages available as well as all games on a given night available for $8.00. Visit www.americaonesports.com for ordering information.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central