CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point

Published on October 20, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


1- The Colorado Eagles and the expansion Rapid City Rush put on quite a show in the CHL's first weekend playing a couple of shootouts in the Budweiser Events Center with the Eagles coming out with the extra point in each game. The clubs combined for 22 goals (13 of them on the power play) and 155 shots. The two games combined to feature seven ties. Ryan Tobler (COL) led the way with two goals and four assists (he had eight points in his first four games last season). Rich Hansen (RPD) had two goals and four assists for the Rush. Special teams took center stage in the two games with the Eagles going 7 for 19 (36.8%) and the Rush went 6 for 20 (30%).

2- Five CHL teams went 2-0 over opening weekend; Colorado, Odessa, Bossier-Shreveport, Oklahoma City and New Mexico. The Blazers, Mudbugs and Scorpions won a game at home and on the road while the Eagles took two home games and the Jackalopes were victorious in a pair of road games. New Mexico and Colorado were the most prolific offensive teams of the bunch scoring 12 goals apiece, while Bossier-Shreveport allowed just one goal in each game leading the way defensively. Last season, two of the four division winners started 2-0 (Arizona and Laredo). Bossier-Shreveport started 0-2 but eventually won the Northeast Division and Colorado began the year 0-1-1 but went on to win the Northwest Division.

3- No debut was more impressive than the Corpus Christi IceRays. The team, under old ownership, has announced during the off-season that they were suspending operations but a local businessman bought the team and pushed them back into action this season under the team's original name, the IceRays. Rookie Head Coach Sylvain Cloutier brought in almost a completely new team and no one was sure how quickly they would gel. It took all of 10 minutes for the IceRays to score the first of 12 goals in their season opener. Chris Richards led the way with four goals and three assists (a seven-point night). Mike Zbriger also added a hat trick. The IceRays went 8 for 17 on the power play setting a new CHL record with their eight power play goals.

4- Two CHL players were called up to the AHL in the past three days; Jason Deitsch from Texas and Jean Bourbeau from Odessa. Deitsch played in Friday's Brahmas game at Bossier-Shreveport before being called-up to the Houston Aeros. He scored a goal in the Aeros 8-6 win versus San Antonio on Saturday night. Bourbeau has been summoned by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after scoring a pair of goals with an assist in Odessa's two wins at Arizona. Bridgeport is off until Friday night when they travel to Portland.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2008


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