CHL Central Hockey League

Shots from the Point

January 23, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


1- In a re-match of last year's Ray Miron President's Cup Finals, the Colorado Eagles (30-6-1) and the Arizona Sundogs (17-20-2) meet for a pair of games this weekend at Tim's Toyota Center. In last year's finals, the Sundogs won The Cup with a series sweep winning 4-0. This season, the Eagles have gained a measure of revenge with a pair of 7-5 victories, both in Colorado. Kevin Ulanksi has led the way for Colorado scoring two goals with five assists in the two victories. For Arizona, Joel Irving has four goals and four helpers. In the last meeting between the two teams, a total of 10 power play goals were scored with each team going 5 for 12 with the man advantage. The Eagles bring their six-game win streak into this weekend's showdowns.

2- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (18-15-4) are 5-0-1 in their last six games and have stretched their lead over Arizona for the fourth seed in the Southern Conference to four points. The Bees play a wicked three-in-three this weekend visiting Mississippi on Friday, Bossier-Shreveport on Saturday and Texas on Sunday. The Bees opponents for the weekend have a combined record of 69-35-7 and even more impressively are 37-12-1 on their respective home ices'. RGV is 5-10-2 on the road this season.

3- Bitter rivals Tulsa and Oklahoma City battle on Friday night and prior to the game the Oilers will retire Doug Lawrence's #9 jersey. He is the Oilers' career leader in games played (428), points (713), assists (560) and penalty minutes (1,571). He is the CHL's all-time leader in assists with 684 and penalty minutes with 2,109. Lawrence's #9 will join the numbers of Millard "Sonny Boy" Wakeford (#12), Luc Beausoleil (#17) and Mike Berger (#44) in the BOK Center's rafters.

On a side note: Lawrence is second on the CHL's all-time list with 875 points but for how much longer? Bossier-Shreveport's Travis Clayton is now just two points away (873) from tying Lawrence on the CHL's point list after last night's four point night (2g, 2a) in the 'Bugs 4-1 win at Tulsa. The Mudbugs play at home on Saturday night facing the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

6-9-2 The Arizona Sundogs record on home ice after compiling a 44-18-2 home mark through their first two seasons...The 'Dogs are 1-3-1 in their last five home games

11/1/08 The last time that Colorado goaltender Andrew Penner has lost a game in regulation...Penner leads the league with 21 wins (21-1-1) and is currently on a 10-game win streak (second longest in Eagles franchise history)...He has earned a point in 18 straight games (17-0-1)

10 The number of games that RGV's Jesse Beenefield's point streak sits at...the rookie has eight goals and five assists during his streak

4 The number of goals that Laredo's Rick Kozak has scored over his last four games...He has 32 points (15-17=32) in 32 games this season

2 The number of CHL teams that have yet to go to a shootout this season...Only Amarillo and New Mexico have not had a shootout decision this season, while Colorado (5-1) and Rocky Mountain (3-3) lead the way with six shootout decisions apiece

TIDBITS

-The Wichita Thunder have traded all-star forward Chris Greene to Corpus Christi in exchange for Mike Zbriger and future considerations...Greene has four goals and 15 assists in 36 games with the Thunder, while Zbriger has 13 goals and 16 assists in 36 games (he has seven power play goals on the season)

-Arizona's Rob Lehtinen has scored six goals and is a +6 in the eight games he has played as a forward this season...The move from the blue line was forced with Tyler Liebel going on the 30-day injured reserve

-New Mexico is just 2 for their last 26 on the power play breaking a stretch of 10 straight misses on Wednesday night by converting their first chance versus Odessa (a 5-on-3)

-The Odessa Jackalopes finished their season-long 10-game road trip with a 6-3-1 record...The Jacks play at home Friday night for the first time since December 26th (a loss to Amarillo)

-The Amarillo Gorillas have signed forward Mark Carragher, waived by Texas earlier in the week...the forward has four assists in 22 games with the Brahmas...The Gorillas six-game slide is tied for the longest losing streak in the league this season



Central Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central