CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point

February 1, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


The month of February is here and CHL teams have anywhere from 26 to 21 games remaining. The separation in the Northeast and Southeast Divisions is double-digits, while the lead in the Northwest division is shrinking and a three-team battle is raging in the Southwest Division. The first night of February features eight games including several potential playoff teams going head-to-head. The marquee showdowns include Mississippi (25-14-1) at Laredo (28-13-2) and Youngstown (23-14-2) at Odessa (22-11-7).

Two of the hottest teams in the league are teams fighting to get into the playoff picture with Amarillo (14-22-6) and Tulsa (13-23-3) each winning their last three games. The Gorillas are just one point behind the Corpus Christi Rayz (15-22-5) in the battle for the fifth and final Southern Conference playoff spot. Tulsa has a little more work to do sitting 19 points out of a playoff spot.

Teams heading in the opposite direction are the Rayz and the New Mexico Scorpions (20-15-5). Corpus Christi dropped their fifth straight game last night in a 4-1 loss to the RiverKings. As for the Scorpions, they have dropped four straight games (0-3-1) but have six games remaining on their current seven-game home stand presenting an opportunity to close the gap on the seven points between them and first place in the SW Division.

GOALTENDING CAROUSEL GIVING MANY NETMINDER NEW ADDRESSES

Several teams have made significant changes in net over the last two weeks with not only the teams at the bottom of the standings making moves but also the teams in or near the lead of their divisions. The biggest move featured Colorado acquiring Sebastien Laplante (10-11-0 with Wichita this season) in exchange for Marco Emond (13-3-0 with Colorado). The Thunder also acquired Bill Zaniboni (9-6-2) from Arizona in exchange for future considerations. The Sundogs not only dealt Zaniboni but waived Andrew Gallant (14-6-2) and then turned around and signed rookie Scott Talbot and traded for the right to Rob McVicar from Youngstown in exchange for future considerations. McVicar has already paid dividends winning his first start 2-1 in overtime in New Mexico (35 saves). Jeff Van Nynatten is on the move again being traded from Mississippi to Tulsa in exchange for future considerations. The RiverKings signing of Ian Keserich has been a good one as the rookie has gone 4-0 in his time with Mississippi. He is 6-2-2 combined with the RiverKings and Colorado. Tulsa also signed Guy St. Vincent replacing Kevin St. Pierre (wrist surgery) and Clint Chalmers (suspended list). St. Vincent has pieced together a 5-1-0 record with a 2.37 GAA in split time with the Oilers and the Rocky Mountain Rage. Laredo was happy to get Dustin Traylen back off the IR but to make room they traded Kevin Beech (10-4-1) to Youngstown in exchange for future considerations.

A PAIR OF J.C.'S STREAKING

Heading into this weekend, both Jeff Christian (Tulsa) and Jordan Cameron (Texas) are streaking with Christian carrying a 23-game point streak (35 points over the streak) and Cameron scoring goals in each of the last five games (5G). Both streak represent the longest active such streaks in the league. Cameron has some ways to go as he is just half-way to the league-high this season set by Rocky Mountain's Daymen Rycroft (10 games). Christian's streak is the longest this season but is still 17 games away from tying the CHL record of 40 games.

MUDBUGS POINT STREAK KEEPS ON KEEPING ON

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (29-7-4) take their 20-game point streak into Wichita this weekend facing the Thunder both Friday and Saturday. In fact, the Bugs and the Thunder will play three times in the next five days. The Mudbugs are 19-0-1 in their last 20 games and have not lost a regulation game since December 8th in Colorado. Ken Carroll has won 13 straight decisions in net and John DeCaro is 14-1-2 in his last 17 decisions. The Mudbugs have not allowed a goal in the last 120:00 minutes and have shutouts in three of their last four games.

TRADE DEADLINE APPROACHING

The CHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching giving teams' one final option to make moves via trade with other teams. The deadline is Monday, February 11th at 3:00 PM (CST). Be sure to check out www.centralhockeyleague.com for the "Trade Tracker" updating the happenings as they occur.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2008


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