CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point

November 23, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


After starting the season on a 14-game road trip, the Youngstown SteelHounds become the final CHL team to play their home opener. The Hounds host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs tonight at the Chevrolet Centre in the first of back-to-back games between the two rivals. The SteelHounds lead the CHL with a 12-1-1 mark and currently lead the Mudbugs by 14 points in the standings and hold a five point lead over Mississippi, their closest divisional competitor. The 'Bugs are 5-1 in their last six games and carry a 5-6-1 mark.

The two teams boast two of the top goaltenders in the CHL with Andy Franck manning the pipes for Youngstown and John DeCaro for the Mudbugs. Franck leads the CHL with 10 wins and has a 2.22 GAA, while DeCaro is 4-3-1 (winning four straight starts) with a 1.86 GAA. The Mudbugs activated Jason Campbell off the Injured Reserve and placed defenseman on Jason Basile on the IR.

BUCKS LOOK TO TURN IT AROUND AT HOME

The Laredo Bucks return home after a disappointing three-game roads trip that saw them post an 0-2-1 record. The Bucks will host the New Mexico Scorpions in a pair of games this weekend at the LEC. The Scorpions are coming off a 5-2 loss at Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday night but are 6-2-0 in their last eight games. Laredo's Jeff Bes is tied for the CHL points lead with 29 points (12-17=29) equaling Rocky Mountain's Scott Wray (9-20=29). Laredo is 5-1-0 at home this season and New Mexico is 3-3-0 on the road.

GORILLAS SNAP LOSING SKID

The Amarillo Gorillas snapped a four-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 5-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder. Chris Lipsett scored a pair of third period goals helping his team to the two points. Amarillo is 2-8-3 on the season and face a tough stretch of the schedule that will see them play four games versus Colorado and one versus Odessa in their next five contests. Amarillo travels to Colorado to face the Eagles on Friday and Saturday nights.

KILLER BEES HAVING A GRANDE TIME!

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are playing outstanding hockey during their current four-game point streak (3-0-1) and are coming off a solid performance on Wednesday night versus the New Mexico Scorpions, a 5-2 win. The Bees travel to Texas on Friday night for the first of three straight games away from home. The Bees will have to do it without forward David Masse (5-7=12) who has left the team to deal with personal family matters. There is no timetable for his return. The hottest Bee is David Maxwell who has three goals and seven assists during his current five-game point streak. Rob Voltera is also on a five-game point streak scoring three times and adding six assists. Goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten, the reigning Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week, is 3-0-1 in his last four starts with a .934 save percentage.

FRIDAY'S GAMES (ALL TIMES LOCAL)

Bossier-Shreveport @ Youngstown, 7:05 PM

Mississippi @ Wichita, 7:05 PM - - NOT AVAILABLE ON CHL NETWORK

Rio Grande Valley @ Texas, 7:05 PM - - NOT AVAILABLE ON CHL NETWORK

Austin @ Arizona, 7:05 PM

Amarillo @ Colorado, 7:05 PM

New Mexico @ Laredo, 7:30 PM

Odessa @ Oklahoma City, 7:35 PM

Rocky Mountain @ Tulsa, 7:35 PM - - NOT AVAILABLE ON CHL NETWORK

SATURDAY'S GAMES (ALL TIMES LOCAL)

Bossier-Shreveport @ Youngstown, 7:05 PM

Oklahoma City @ Wichita, 7:05 PM - - NOT AVAILABLE ON CHL NETWORK

Rio Grande Valley @ Corpus Christi, 7:05 PM

Austin @ Arizona, 7:05 PM

Amarillo @ Colorado, 7:05 PM

New Mexico @ Laredo, 7:30 PM

Tulsa @ Odessa, 7:05 PM

Rocky Mountain @ Texas, 7:05 PM - - NOT AVAILABLE ON CHL NETWORK

SUNDAY'S GAMES (TIME IS LOCAL)

New Mexico @ Corpus Christi, 3:05 PM



Central Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2007


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