CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point for November 8, 2010

November 8, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


CHL Headlines for Monday, November 8

Thunder Stays Hot/End Two Other Streaks- The Wichita Thunder (5-4-0) have turned things around dramatically since dropping their first four games of the season by winning each of the last five contests. With their overtime win in Missouri (3-3-2) on Saturday, the Thunder ended another streak which was on the negative side, winning for the first time against the Mavericks in 11 tries. The Thunder also put an end to a long streak on Friday night when they defeated Doug Groenestege and the Arizona Sundogs (2-6-0). The Sundogs netminder was a perfect 12-0-0 in his career versus Wichita. The Thunder's win on Saturday night came in dramatic fashion with Jesse Bennefield tying the game with less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation and Andrew Martens winning the game in overtime with just four seconds remaining.

Strong Start for the Eagles is Nothing New- The Colorado Eagles typically get out of the gate strong and this season is no different as they are 7-1-0 and leading the Turner Conference. This marks the fifth time in eight seasons that the Eagles have won seven of their first 10 games and the fourth time they have had at least a seven-game winning streak. An eighth win in a row would tie the third-longest winning streak in franchise history. That chance for Colorado will come on Wednesday night when they host the Rapid City Rush (4-4-0) in a game that will broadcast LIVE nationally on Altitude Sports and Entertainment. The Eagles are 15-7-2 all-time versus the Rush and 9-3-0 in the Budweiser Events Center.

Bees Buzzing in the South- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (5-2-2) have won three straight games and have climbed to third place in the Berry Conference with their 12 points. Last weekend, the Bees defeated the Odessa Jackalopes (2-6-1) twice, including 5-4 in a shootout on Friday night. The Bees lead the league with three games decided in a shootout and the win on Friday was their first victory in those games. Aaron Lee is on a four-game point streak (2-2=4), helping pace the offense and goaltender Juliano Pagliero has points in seven of eight decisions this season going 5-1-2.

Numbers Game

1/8/10 - The date the Odessa Jackalopes (2-6-1) lost their sixth game in regulation last year. Odessa had 25 wins before their sixth regulation loss, but with Saturday's 4-1 loss to RGV, they have already reached that number. The Jacks have started slow allowing the first goal in six of their nine games this season. Forward Todd Robinson has three goals and six assists in his last four games while carrying a +3 plus/minus rating. His 15 points are tied for the league lead (Laredo's Neil Trimm)

13- The combined number of consecutive losses for the Arizona Sundogs (2-6-0) and the Tulsa Oilers (2-7-1) who are both stuck in the bottom two spots in the Berry Conference. The Oilers won their first two games of the season, both versus Wichita, but have gone 0-7-1 since. Arizona has dropped five straight games and are 0-2 on their season-long eight-game road trip. The Oilers look to break their losing slide on Friday night in Colorado (7-1-0) and Arizona squares off against Evansville (3-4-1) on Thursday night.

:07- The time left on the clock in the third period when Evansville's Damian Surma notched his hat trick and gave the IceMen the 6-5 comeback win. Evansville trailed 5-3 midway through the final period before Surma scored twice and Joe Grimaldi tied the game.

100- The point milestone with the Komets that Fort Wayne's Sean O'Connor reached with the first of two helpers in Saturday's 4-3 win over Evansville. The third-year pro has three assists in six games this season.

32- The number of consecutive power plays the Tulsa Oilers went without a score before Harrison Reed struck in Friday's 4-2 loss at Missouri. Reed is tied for the team-lead with nine points and four goals. Tulsa is just 5 for 53 with the man advantage ranking last in the CHL at 9.4%.

Slap Shots

-The Allen Americans (8-2-0) victory over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (7-4-0) on Saturday night was their fifth straight win at the CenturyTel Center as they have never lost to the Mudbugs when playing in Bossier City. The win moved Allen into sole possession of first place in the Berry Conference with 16 points. The Americans are on a season-long five-game road trip that continues Friday night in Laredo (4-3-1).

-In a dazzling debut for the Quad City Mallards (4-4-0), goaltender Adam Russo made a team-high 47 saves in the Flock's 3-1 win over Bloomington on Saturday night. Russo stopped 20 shots in the second period alone and helped the Mallards in their current hot streak of four wins in their last five games. Quad City hosts Missouri on Thursday night.

-Mississippi RiverKings (4-4-0) forward Chris Richards has scored goals in each of the last two games for the 'Kings, both wins, and has increased his league all-time standing ranking fifth in points with 777, ninth in goals with 260 and fifth in assists with 517.

-The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and the Laredo Bucks will meet on Tuesday night in Laredo in a re-match of the 2004 and 2006 Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals, both won by Laredo. The Bucks are happy to have two-time all-star Darryl Smith back with the team. The former CHL Rookie of the Year has scored 71 goals in two seasons with the Bucks.

-Dayton goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is off to a strong start for the Gems starting every game for the team and posting a 4-2-1 record. Jakaitis is second in the league in both minutes played and saves.

-Be sure to catch CHL action all season long on CHL-TV. Live games are just $7.00 per game and you can relive the action with the game archives for just $4.00 per game. Visit http://chl.neulion.com/chltv/ for ordering information.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2010


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