CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point

January 4, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


MUDBUGS PUT HOME WINNING STREAK ON LINE THIS WEEKEND

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (18-7-3) put their 12-game home winning streak and eight-game overall winning streak on the line this weekend when they host the Oklahoma City Blazers (13-13-4) on Friday and the Mississippi RiverKings (18-9-1) on Saturday. The 'Bugs are currently tied with the Youngstown SteelHounds for first place in the Northeast Division with each team carrying 39 points. Bossier-Shreveport started the season 0-5-1 but have since gone 18-2-2.

The Mudbugs boast the two top goaltenders in the CHL with John DeCaro (11-4-2) and Ken Carroll (7-3-1) each holding a 1.93 goals against average. DeCaro had a seven-game win streak earlier in the season and now Carroll is one shy of that with a six-game personal winning streak. The duo has combined for a league-high seven shutouts. The Mudbugs have allowed just nine goals over their eight-game win streak.

Offensively, the Mudbugs have been paced recently by veteran Karlis Zirnis and Kevin Cooper. Zirnis has seven points (3-4=7) in his last five games and is a team-high +8. Cooper has five goals in his last five games including two game winners.

CHRISTIAN HOMECOMING

The Northeast Division leading Youngstown SteelHounds (19-8-1) host the Tulsa Oilers (8-16-3) on Friday and Saturday in what will be the first game in the Chevrolet Centre for Tulsa's leading scorer Jeff Christian, at least in the visiting locker room. Christian played 125 games for the SteelHounds during the 2005-06 & 2006-07 seasons scoring 93 goals, 130 assists and 223 points (the most for any player in the CHL over those two seasons). Last year, the veteran forward was named the CHL's Most Valuable Player and in each of the last two season he was named to the All-CHL Team. This season with Tulsa, he has six goals and 23 assists and has notched a point in each of the last 11 games (5 goals and 13 assists over that stretch).

REDENBACH'S STREAK RESUMES

The Arizona Sundogs were re-assigned center Tyler Redenbach from the AHL's San Antonio Rampage this week and he will be back in the line-up for the Sundogs on Friday when they travel to New Mexico to face the Scorpions. Redenbach was leading the league in points at the time of his re-call (Dec. 18) and has the longest point streak in the CHL this season (21 games). The Regina, Saskatchewan native has recorded a point in every game he has played this season totaling 44 points (12-32=44). Redenbach had one helper in six games with the Rampage.

COLORADO FACES SOUTH TEXAS THREE-IN-THREE

The Colorado Eagles face a tough road challenge this weekend when they have a three-games-in-three night's scenario versus Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley and Laredo. The Eagles appear to be weathering the storm of the great start to the season by the Rocky Mountain Rage and currently sit just eight points behind the Rage for first place in the Northwest Division. Colorado has won three straight games and are 10-3-2 in their last 15 games. Rookie goaltender Bryan Bridges has given the Eagles a lift in net going 3-0-1 in his four decisions allowing just five goals (.962 save percentage). Colorado is 3-5-4 on the road this season.

MONTHLY WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Sher-Wood/CHL Player and Goaltender of the Month were announced this week with Amarillo center David Nimmo and Bossier-Shreveport goaltender Ken Carroll taking the honors. Nimmo scored 10 goals with 10 assists in 13 games for the Gorillas and Carroll went 5-0 with a 1.20 goals against average.

2008 CHL ALL-STAR GAME LIVE ON THE CHL NETWORK

Be sure to catch all the action of the 2008 CHL All-Star Game LIVE on the CHL Network. The game will take place from the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colorado on Wednesday, January 16th with face-off scheduled for 7:05 PM (MST). Colorado's Tori Holt and Arizona's Robby Incmikoski will bring you all the action.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2008


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