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January 11, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


EAGLES READY TO SET SELLOUT RECORD VERSUS NONE OTHER THAN THE RAGE

The Colorado Eagles (19-9-4) are set to break the minor professional hockey record for consecutive sellouts on Saturday night when they host the Northwest Division leading Rocky Mountain Rage (23-4-3). Colorado has sold out 143 consecutive games with a contest scheduled for tonight versus Odessa (144th consecutive sellout) and then the record-breaker on tap for Saturday. The record has been held by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League whose streak ran from December 22nd, 2000 through October 30, 2004.

The streak aside, the game should be the marquee match-up of the night. The Eagles are desperately trying to catch the Rage who seems to win every night. Colorado is 16-5-2 in their last 23 games; Rocky Mountain is 18-3-2 over that same stretch.

The Eagles won 4-3 in overtime in the first meeting of the season between the two rivals but the Rage have since rattled off three straight wins including both games at the Budweiser Events Center. The Eagles won 10 of the 12 meetings last season.

STEELHOUNDS WELCOME BACK MR. FRANCK!

The Youngstown SteelHounds welcome back all-star goaltender Andy Franck after a six-week hiatus in the American Hockey League with the Providence Bruins. Franck's return is just in time as the Hounds are not drinking from the first place cup of the Northeast Division for one of the few times this season. Currently Youngstown trails the Mudbugs by three points and is stuck in the midst of a four-game road losing streak. This weekend, the Hounds play a pair of games versus the Mississippi RiverKings who are stuck in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Franck is 18-3-2 this season when you combine his SteelHounds record with the 7-1-1 mark he posted with the Bruins. At the end of December, Franck was named as the Northern Conference starting goaltender for the 2008 CHL All-Star Game in Broomfield, Colorado scheduled for next Wednesday (January 16th).

JACKALOPES TO DISPLAY THEIR OWN FRENCH CONNECTION

The Jackalopes made news this week signing the talented Olivier Proulx to join the already potent offensive duo of Sebastien Thinel and Dominic Leveille. Proulx and Thinel go way back and should show continuity right from the hop on Friday night when Odessa travels to play the Colorado Eagles. So far this season, Leveille and Thinel (both CHL All-Stars) have combined for 38 goals and 49 assists. Proulx has had 64 points in each of the last two seasons (one in the ECHL and one in the UHL). The Jacks currently tied for first place in the Southwest Division with the Arizona Sundogs.

BATTLE OF DIVISION LEADERS ON HAND IN LAREDO

The Laredo Bucks (25-8-2) are set to host the Arizona Sundogs (20-9-3) on Friday night in the fourth meeting of the season between the two division leaders. The SW division leading Sundogs are 10-6-2 on the road this season and are 1-0 in the only meeting at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Bucks won both game in Prescott Valley. The reigning Oakley CHL Player of the Week, Jeff Bes, has been carrying the offensive load for the Bucks lately totaling 19 points (9-10=19) in his last 10 games. Laredo will be without all-star goaltender Dustin Traylen who has been placed on the 14-day injured reserve.

MUDBUGS TAKE WIN STREAK ON THE ROAD

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs have won 11 straight games, the longest win streak in the CHL this season, but only three of the 11 games have happened away from the CenturyTel Center where the Bugs have won 15 straight games. Bossier-Shreveport will play each of their next seven games on the road where they are 6-3-3 on the season. The Mudbugs have a tough road in front of them with the Killer Bees on deck for Friday night and Laredo on Saturday night. After the all-star break, the Mudbugs will have a huge showdown in NE Ohio with three games versus the SteelHounds. The trip will conclude with games versus Mississippi and Oklahoma City.

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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2008


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