CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point for November 30, 2012

November 30, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


Three Things You Need to Know

1.) Moving in the Right Direction- The Missouri Mavericks (6-7-2) have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and will look to make it three in a row on Friday night when they host the struggling Quad City Mallards (6-7-3). The Mavs outscored their opposition 10-2 over their last two games while the Flock have been outscored 12-2 during their current two-game slide. One of the main reasons for the Mavericks recent turnaround is outstanding play in net by rookie Mathieu Corbeil, the reigning Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week. The netminder has stopped 50 of 52 shots (.962 save percentage) over his two-game win streak. The Mavs other goalie is Mike Clemente who won the 50/50 Central CHL Rookie of the Month award for October. He is 3-2-1 on the season while Corbeil is 3-5 with a .910 save percentage.

2.) Beware of the Fish- The Denver Cutthroats (9-7-1) have rebounded nicely since their three-game blemish in Arizona in early November when they lost three straight games by going 6-1-1 in their next eight games. Currently on a three-game winning streak and winners of seven of their last eight home games, the Cutthroats host the red-hot Wichita Thunder (10-5-2) on Friday and Saturday as someone's streak has to give. The second place Thunder have won four straight games overall and three straight on the road. The Denver offense is paced by Brad Smyth who is on a four-game point streak and A.J. Gale who is second in the CHL with 24 points (10-14$). Wichita's hot hands are R.G. Flath who has goals in three straight games and defensemen Kevin Young who has points in four straight games.

3.) Steffes On Top- Tulsa forward Gary Steffes has netted five goals in his last five games and had a hat trick on November 23 in an overtime loss to Bloomington. He heads into the weekend leading the CHL with 11 goals on the season. The third year forward is already halfway to his total of 22 goals last season playing in less than a third of the games. Steffes has been thrifty with his scores netting his 11 goals on 55 shots. Tulsa has home games versus Allen and Arizona this weekend sandwiched around a quick trip to Fort Worth on Saturday night.

By the Numbers

657: The number of games that legendary CHL coach Terry Ruskowski will have coached after Friday's game between his Quad City Mallards and the Missouri Mavericks. Ruskowski is currently tied for third on the league's all-time games coached list with Chris Stewart and trails only Doug Sauter (918) and Scott Muscutt (709). During his 10 seasons in the CHL, Ruskowski has only missed the post-season once and has won two CHL titles (2004 and 2006 with Laredo).

One-Timers

- Missouri's Captain Sebastien Thinel is on the longest current point streak in the CHL with points in the Mavericks last seven games (four goals and seven helpers during the streak). Thinel is just three games away from tying Don Margettie for 10th on the league's all-time games played list at 585 games.

- Rapid City (8-6-3), Arizona (8-6-3) and Denver (9-7-1) are all tied for fourth in the CHL with 19 points. Rapid City is at home against Bloomington, Arizona is at Fort Worth and Denver is at home hosting Wichita.

-The first place Allen Americans (12-2-1) and Tulsa Oilers (6-9-2) meet tonight for the fifth time this season with Allen owning the series so far winning all four games. The first period has been a big advantage for Allen outscoring the Oilers 6-1 in the opening frame. Jarret Lukin has four goals in the series versus Tulsa. Allen is 6-0-1 in their last seven road games and Tulsa is 0-4-1 in their last five games overall.

-Bloomington rookie Tyler Gron has been on a tear lately scoring three goals with three helpers in his last five games. Gron's 10 goals on the season are the most among rookies and tied for second among all players.

-Be sure to catch all of the action on CHL-TV all season long.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2012


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