CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point

Published on December 3, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


BRAHMAS BURY A PAIR OF DIVISIONAL RIVALS

The Texas Brahmas have had a nice re-introduction into the CHL after sitting out last season and are currently sitting pretty with a 10-5-0 record. Texas' 20 points are good for third place in the Northeast Division and tied for a playoff spot if you're looking that far ahead. The Brahmas are currently on a nine-game home stand that has them 4-2-0 thus far and looking back at this past weekend one would have thought it would have been a tough one for the Brahmas facing the two teams ahead of them in the NE Division standings, the Mississippi RiverKings and the Youngstown SteelHounds.

On Friday, the Brahmas made quick work of the RiverKings holding a 3-0 lead at one point in the second period. Anders Strome had a pair of goals and Blair Manning had a goal and two helpers. The game had its physical moments as the teams combined for 239 penalty minutes. On Saturday night, the Brahmas defeated the SteelHounds 5-2 with Strome once again doing some damage scoring the game's first two goals. Scott Sheppard netted a hat trick giving him a team-leading 13 goals.

The Brahmas home stand concludes this week with games against Austin, Laredo and Amarillo. Then the Brahmas head out on the road for six straight games.

SUNDOGS STAY STEADY

The hottest team, in not only residence, is the Arizona Sundogs who are currently sitting on a four-game winning streak and are one point behind Odessa for first place in the Southwest Division (they have three games in hand on the front-running Jacks). In their only game of the week, the Sundogs defeated the Rocky Mountain Rage ending their seven-game winning streak. Tyler Redenbach scored the game winning goal in overtime, while shorthanded, to defeat the Rage. Redenbach finished with two goals and an assist extending his league-high point streak to 15 games good for 32 points (8-24=32).

RAGE AND SCORPIONS START A RIVALRY

The Rocky Mountain Rage has visited the New Mexico Scorpions twice this season and both games were memorable. On November 3rd, the Rage were dismantled by the Scorps by a 10-0 score. The loss propelled the Rage into a seven-game win streak putting a cushion between themselves and the rest of the Northwest Division. On Saturday, the Scorpions once again got the better of Rocky Mountain with a 4-2 win but it was the 128 third period penalty minutes that will have both teams eagerly awaiting the rematch on December 21st in Broomfield. Kevin Harvey was assessed 39 minutes and Blair Stayzer 31 minutes for the Scorpions and Justin Schmit had 46 minutes for the Rage. There could be several suspensions from the game that will affect the two teams for the upcoming week.

BUTCH KAEBEL RESIGNS FROM TULSA

The Tulsa Oilers were one of the most talked about teams in the off-season with the acquisition of Jeff Christian (the CHL's MVP from the 2006-07 season), Lance Herauf and goaltender Kevin St. Pierre. However, the Oilers have gotten off to a slow start this season sitting at 5-10-1 with 11 points, nine in back of a playoff spot. Kaebel took over as the coach of the Oilers as Christmas of 2003 and posted a 108-107-27 record over his tenure. Assistant Coach Dan Hodge will take over as head coach on an interim basis.

THE STREAKS ARE OVER

Two CHL clubs came up with big wins this past week ending extended long losing streaks against specific clubs. On Friday night, the New Mexico Scorpions defeated the Colorado Eagles for the first time since March 4, 2005, a span of 10 straight games with a loss for New Mexico. Last season, the Eagles went 7-0 versus New Mexico. On Saturday night, the Texas Brahmas defeated the Youngstown SteelHounds for the first time in franchise history, also a stretch of 10 straight games. Youngstown went 8-0 versus the Brahmas during the 2005-06 season and had won each of the first two match-ups this season.

MISC NOTES

The Austin Ice Bats have played in three straight shootouts winning each of the last two...Colorado is 6-1-3 when scoring four or more goals this season...Riley Nelson's SH goal on Sunday was the first for the Eagles this season, last year they had 13 at this stage of the season en route to their record-setting 30...Saturday's game for Rio Grande Valley's Jeremy Van Hoof was his 400th professional game...Chris Brassard's goal on Saturday afternoon versus Tulsa was his 500th professional point...The Mudbugs John DeCaro has won seven straight decisions after starting the season 0-3-1...The Brahmas host the Laredo Bucks on Friday night, Texas is 4-1-0 on Friday's this season...The Arizona Sundogs are the only CHL team not to allow a SH goal this season...Youngstown's Andy Franck remains on re-call with the Providence Bruins (AHL) and is 2-0 with a 2.00 GAA.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2007


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