Bears In The Air: The Tulsa Oilers, who have earned 13 of a possible 14 standings points in their last seven Central hockey league games, host the Youngstown SteelHounds tonight. It's the Oilers annual Teddy Bear toss to benefit the Salvation Army. Fans will throw Teddy Bears onto the ice after the first Oilers goal. The bears will then be collected and donated to the Salvation Army for distribution.
Records: Oilers are 10-6-3 with 23 points, tied for third place in the Northeast Division. Youngstown is 10-6-5 with 25 points in second place in the Northeast Division.
Season Series: This is the fifth of six meetings between these two teams. The Oilers are 3-1-0 against Youngstown, with one of the wins coming in a shootout (5-4 in Youngstown Nov. 16), so Youngstown record in the head to head series is 1-2-1. The Oielrs won the most recent meeting, 5-2, November 28th in Tulsa.
Recent Action: The Oilers saw their longest winning streak since 2002 end at six games with 5-4 shootout loss to the Memphis RiverKings at home on Tuesday night. Youngstown is playing its first game since last Saturday night, when the SteelHounds lost 6-3 in Oklahoma City.
Goals Galore: Tonight has the potential to be a high scoring affair. The Oilers rank first in the CHL in goals per game (4.37) and Youngstown is third in goals per game (3.81). Additionally, Youngstown has the top two scorers in the league in Chris Richards and Jeff Christian (each with 38 points). The Oilers have four players among the league leaders, David Alexandre Beauregard (tied for 5th with 29 points); Mike Wiggins and David Masse (tied for 8th with 28 points) and Bryan LaChapelle (tied for 10th with 27 points).
Now In The Lead: The longest scoring streak in the CHL this season now belongs to the Oilers Spencer Carbery who has at least one point in 11 straight games. In the stretch, Carbery has six goals and nine assists for 15 points.
Next Up: The Oilers continue their three game set of games against Northeast Divisional opponents tomorrow night when they travel to Memphis to take on the RiverKings at 7:05 p.m. That game can be heard on KRVT AM 1270, and also via the internet at The Official Site of the Tulsa Oilers . The Oilers will be shooting their fifth straight road win, which would give them the longest road winning streak in the league this year. Youngstown returns to Oklahoma City to play tomorrow night.
Sundogs Partner with McWhite's North American Van Lines to Donate Toys to Children
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs have teamed up with McWhite's North American Van Lines and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arizona to donate toys to underprivileged children in Northern Arizona.
On Monday, December 18, Arizona Sundogs players will be on hand at the Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley at 3:30pm to donate toy trucks to children courtesy of McWhite's North American Van Lines.
The children, identified and selected by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Yavapai and the Prescott Valley Police Department, will take a tour of the Tim's Toyota Center before ending in the Arizona Sundogs Locker Room where players will be waiting with the toys.
"We're excited to be able to help spread the joy of the Holiday season in Northern Arizona," said Sundogs Vice President Brent Thiessen. "Everyone deserves this opportunity, especially children."
Broomfield, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Rage placed right wing Dorian Anneck on 14-day injured reserve today. The 10th-year pro was injured during a scramble in front of the net during Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oklahoma City Blazers.
The Rage continue a season-long four-game home stand tonight when they host the Colorado Eagles at Broomfield Event Center at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans will receive a Rage Hockey Jersey Koozie courtesy of Total Beverage.
Following every Rage goal tonight, the Total Beverage Lounge inside the BEC will offer $2 draft beers.
The Rage and Eagles will then square-off again tomorrow at Broomfield Event Center at 7:05 p.m. when the first 2,500 fans will receive a Rage Foam Finger courtesy of Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, Stryker Physiotherapy Associates, and Front Range Orthopedic Center.
Tomorrow night's game will also feature the Rage's First Annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are asked to bring brand new stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice during the first intermission. The stuffed animals will then be donated to local police and fire department outreach programs.
Finally, the Rage will wear specialty holiday jerseys tomorrow evening, which will be auctioned off following the game to benefit the Broomfield Sports and Entertainment Foundation.
Single-game tickets for all Rage home games are on sale with prices ranging from $15-$40 per seat. Tickets may be purchased online at broomfieldeventcenter.com: Home, by calling 303-410-TIXS, or at the Broomfield Event Center box office (11450 Broomfield Ln., Broomfield, 80021). Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also available for the 2006-07 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit Rocky Mountain Rage.
Sundogs to Play Host to Sports' Greatest Trophy on December 30th
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs today announced that sports' greatest trophy, the Stanley Cup will be on hand at the Tim's Toyota Center on December 30 while the Sundogs take on Southwest Division Rival, the New Mexico Scorpions. Game time is set for 7:30pm.
Fans in attendance can view the Stanley Cup on the concourse throughout the game and can also opt to have their photograph taken with the Cup for $5.00.
A Brief History: The Stanley Cup, when first donated to hockey in 1893 by Canada's sixth governor general, Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley, was nothing more than an elaborate punchbowl. But its significance, and its size, increased exponentially through the years.
The design of the Stanley Cup has been acknowledged as 'perfect' by players and fans alike. Standing 35.25 inches tall, the design is recognized world-wide and is one of the true icons of sport. Because of its age, legacy and shape, the Stanley Cup has an aura about it that no other sport can claim. It is also one of the few trophies on which the champions have their names engraved.
The Stanley Cup, along with HHOF employee and Stanley Cup curator Mike Bolt, will make several stops in Central Hockey League markets, coming directly from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.
To purchase tickets for December 30 or for any other home games, visit GetTix.Net, call 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849) or stop by the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office at 3201 N. Main St. in Prescott Valley.
Corpus Christi, TX - Kevin Waters' shootout goal in the seventh round of the shootout was the difference, as the Corpus Christi Rayz defeated the Lubbock Cotton Kings 3-2 in overtime Friday night. The overtime loss extends the Kings winless streak to four games (0-3-1) and it was their first ever loss inside the American Bank Center (3-0-1).
The Rayz jumped out to a 1-0 lead 3:06 into the game with Ryan Carter redirecting a shot by Nicklas Lindberg past J.F. Perras. The Kings ended their season high scoring drought at 87:39 with a goal by Trevor Weisgerber halfway through the period to tie the game at 1-1. Lubbock closed the period with a goal by Jimmy Callahan with 51-seconds remaining to take a 2-1 lead. Mike Carter was able to force the puck in front of the net, where Callahan, waiting at the doorstep of the crease, slammed it past Rayz goaltender Brent Zelenewich for his first goal since November 17th and ninth of the season.
Corpus Christi kept the Kings off the board in the second period and tied the contest up 4:02 into the period with a power play goal. A rebound off a shot from the right circle deflected off the leg pads of Perras right to Watters in the left circle, who fired it past Perras.
After a scoreless third period, the two teams played an eventful overtime. Lubbock received a power play opportunity in overtime, but they surrendered three shorthanded breakaways. Perras was huge in overtime for the Kings, turning away all three breakaways and a total of seven shots in the extra session. The Kings found themselves shorthanded late in overtime and they were able to hold off the Rayz to force the shootout.
The shootout went seven rounds deep, with Lubbock receiving goals from Trevor Weisgerber and Bobby Brown, while the Rayz received shootout tallies from Jason Baird and Carter prior to Watters' game winner.
Perras stopped 40 of 42 shots in the overtime loss and his record drops to 4-4-1. Zelenewich improved his record to 3-4-1 on the season with a 36-save performance. Lubbock struggled on the power play, going scoreless on seven attempts, while the Rayz converted on one of five chances.
The Kings travel back to Lubbock to host the Laredo Bucks Saturday night at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. Lubbock carries a 10-9-2 record into the contest.
LAREDO, Texas - The defending CHL President's Cup Champion Laredo Bucks got two goals apiece from forwards Jeff Bes and Igor Agarunov as they beat the Austin Ice Bats 5-1 in front of 4,872 fans at the LEC on Friday night. Laredo won their second straight game and fifth in the last six as they improved to a Southern Conference best 14-7-2 with 30 points. The Bucks are home on Friday, December 22nd, against Corpus Christi. The first 2,500 fans receive a Coach Terry Ruskowski Bobblehead doll courtesy of AT&T and Cingular. Fans can get four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas (a $100 value) for $48. The Bucks are offering a family four pack of season tickets for the 2006-07 CHL regular season, which works out to just over $7 a seat per game and is a 48 % savings off walkup prices. For more info on 2006-07 Bucks season tickets log onto Laredo Bucks or call (956) 718-BUCK (2825).
Laredo drew first blood as Agarunov teed up a shot from the top of the left circle that banked in off an Ice Bats defenseman at 4:07. It was the sixth of the year for Agarunov. Late in the first period Bes gunned a soft wrister from the top of the right circle that snuck into the net at 18:33 to make it 2-0 Laredo. It was the fifth of the season for Bes and extended his point streak to seven straight games.
Early in the second the Bucks extended their lead as Bes scored on a wrist shot from the slot on a power play at 1:59 to make it 3-0. With Austin looking to get back in the game on a power play chance, instead Laredo increased their advantage. Defenseman Paul Elliott connected for his first of the season on a great feed from forward Serge Dube at 7:30. Austin got on the scoreboard as forward Henry Kuster tipped in a centering pass on a power play at 9:18.
In the third period Agarunov put the game away with his second of the night as he capitalized on a breakaway at 13:16. FINAL SCORE Laredo 5, Austin 1.
Kevin Reiter was strong in net stopping 28 of 29 shots as he improved to 1-1-0. Kevin Couture allowed five goals on 36 shots and fell to 4-5-0. The Bucks were 1-6 on the power play while Austin went 1-6. Laredo out shot the Ice Bats 36-29.
- Single game tickets for the Bucks start at $14.95. Of the 32 home games, 25 will take place on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Game times will remain the same for the 2006-07 season. Weekday games begin at 7 p.m., while Friday and Saturday night games are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday games will be at 4 p.m.
2006-07 BUCKS SEASON TICKETS
- The Bucks are offering a family four pack of season tickets for the 2006-07 CHL regular season, that works out to just over $7 a seat per game and is a 48 % savings off walkup prices. For more info contact a Bucks season ticket representative at (956) 718-BUCK (2825).
BECOME A BUCKS CORPORATE PARTNER
- Your company can become a vital part of the Laredo Bucks family by reaching our fans with your business message. To create a customized advertising package for your company, contact Summer Barrera at (956) 523-7723 or sbarrera@laredobucks.com.
BUCKS IN THE COMMUNITY
- To schedule an appearance by a Bucks player, coach, or member of the front office staff call Traci Melendez at (956) 718-BUCK (2825) or email her at tmelendez@laredobucks.com.
POST-GAME SKATES
- There will be post-game skates at the LEC following Friday, Saturday and Sunday games. The only exceptions will be if there is a post-game jersey auction, there will not be a post-game skate.
BUCKS ON THE AIR
- Listen to every Bucks game, home and away, on Norteno 1490. You can also hear the Bucks online at Laredo Bucks.
BUCKS HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE
- Listen to audio highlights of the Bucks online at Laredo Bucks in the multimedia section.
BROOMFIELD, CO- Ryan Tobler had two goals including the game-winning goal in overtime as the Colorado Eagles defeated the Rocky Mountain Rage Friday night 4-3 at the Broomfield Event Center. Colorado improved their record to 16-4-0 for 32 points and remain in first place in the Northwest Division. Craig Strain had a goal and an assist and Marco Emond saved 37 of 40 shots for his league-leading 13th win of the season. Nathan Rosychuk scored two goals for the Rage who are now 6-13-3 and in fourth place in the Northwest Division. The Eagles and Rage will play again Saturday night at the Broomfield Event Center at 7:05 p.m.
Only 46 seconds into the contest, the Eagles and Rage were tied at one goal apiece. On Rocky Mountain's first rush of the game, Nathan Rosychuck scored on assists from Jordan Little and Matic Kralj. The goal came only 19 seconds into the period, but the Eagles answered right back on a goal by Craig Strain. His goal came only 46 seconds into the period, and Garrett Larson earned his second assist in as many games on the play. Seth Leonard and Riley Nelson hooked up to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead at the 4:59 mark. Leonard skated behind the net and centered a pass to Nelson who beat Rage goaltender David Guerrera through the five hole. Nathan Rosychuk answered for Rocky Mountain when he skated in on a two-on-one with Kyle Kos and beat Eagles goaltender Marco Emond for a shorthanded goal. The score remained tied at two after one period with the Rage out shooting Colorado 15-14.
Ryan Tobler gave the Eagles a 3-2 lead when he took a feed from Aaron Schneekloth and got behind the Rage defense, he skated in alone and went top shelf on Guerrera. Craig Strain also earned an assist and it marked the fifth straight game the Eagles have scored a power play goal. The Rage evened the score at three with just 48 seconds remaining in the period when Jordan Little ripped a slapshot through traffic and into the back of the net. Rocky Mountain again out shot the Eagles 15-7 in the period.
The teams skated to a scoreless third period although the Eagles had more shots on goal at 13-8. Colorado was forced to play in their first overtime period of the season marking their longest stretch to start a season before going to overtime (20 games).
Rocky Mountain earned the first quality scoring chance in the overtime period when the Eagles turned the puck over in their own zone, but Marco Emond was up to the task. A few minutes later, Les Borsheim skated in on two Rage defenders, put on the brakes and left a trailing pass for Ryan Tobler who beat Guerrera stick side for the game-winning goal. The goal was Tobler's sixth in the last five games and the Eagles are now 16-4-0 on the season for a winning percentage of .800. Colorado remains in first place in the Northwest Division and they will face off again Saturday night at the Broomfield Event Center at 7:05 p.m.
The Corpus Christi Rayz and the Lubbock Cotton Kings met at the American Bank Center for the only time this season Friday night. After the wide-open, hard-fought, dramatic contest that more than 3,600 fans saw, it's a shame there won't be a South Texas encore. Kevin Watters had two goals, including the game winner in the seventh round of a shootout to the lead the Rayz to a 3-2 win over the Cotton Kings. Corpus Christi earned their seventh point in the last five games, and moved into sole possession of second place in the Southeast Division. The Rayz will now have Saturday night off before traveling to Rio Grande Valley Sunday afternoon to cap off the weekend.
The Rayz got on the board first when Ryan Carter tipped a shot past J.F. Perras at 3:06 to give the Rayz a 1-0 lead. The Kings tied the game up 10:00 when Trevor Weisgerber converted a two on two pass right in front of the Rayz net and deflected the puck in for the Kings. The Kings took their first lead of the game after the Rayz turned the puck over behind their net late in the frame and Lubbock capitalized. Jimmy Callahan took a centering pass from the corner and scored from just outside the crease at 19:10 to give the Kings a 2-1 lead heading into the break. The Kings outshot the Rayz 15-10 in the frame.
In the second period, the Rayz pulled even with the only goal of the frame. Kevin Watters scored off a rebound from the left circle on a power play at 4:02. Corpus Christi had a chance to recapture the lead shorthanded when Derrick McIver had a breakaway, but was denied by the left pad of Perras. The Rayz outshot Lubbock 14-7 in the period.
After a scoreless third period, the teams went to overtime, and wide open hockey ensued. The Rayz and Cotton Kings each received power plays and the Rayz had two different breakaways, but were denied. The teams went to a shootout and eventually Watters stepped up as the hero in the seventh round when he beat Perras to give the Rayz the win. Corpus Christi's victory over Lubbock was their first ever at the American Bank Center and snapped the Rayz four game home losing skid.
The Rayz win improved their record to 11-10-4 on the year, while Lubbock stayed above .500 at 10-9-2. Zelenewich made 36 saves and earned the win, upping his season mark to 3-4-1. Perras was brilliant making 40 saves on 42 shots, and staying even at 4-4-1. The Rayz win gave them points in four of their last five games. For the third straight game, the Rayz held their opponents scoreless on the power play. The Rayz went 1-5. Austin went 0-7. The Rayz outhsot the Kings 43-38.
Prior to Friday night's game, the Rayz placed rookie defenseman Jason Lepine on the 14-day injured reserve list and rookie forward Connor Hughes came off the IR. Hughes played in his first game since November 28th.
The Youngstown SteelHounds came out smoking as they were able to avenge one of their two losses of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Tulsa Oilers.
Youngstown got the scoring going early as Chris Richards would score his 13th of the season, this one on the power play and that made it 1-0 after one period.
The second period would see Jeff Christian score his 13th of the season at 4:37 of the second period to make it 2-0. It would be a shorthanded goal, his second shortie in two nights and with his assist he and Richards would finish the night still tied for the league's best in assists (26) and points (40). Christian's point streak is now up to nine games.
That would not be the only goal of the second period as 10 minutes later it would be Brad Patterson from John Neal to make it 3-0 Hounds after two.
The defense would prove to be stout on this night as Y-Town was able to snap Spencer Carbery's league leading 11 game point streak on Friday night. David Currie was back behind the pipes for the first time in five games and was stellar, stopping 19-21 shots. The two goals he gave up came in the third period and were both from Jaroslav Cesky, one was a shorthanded goal and the other was a power play goal.
That would be as close as the hosting Oilers would get as Youngstown would get a fourth goal, this time by Chris Shaffer (his seventh) at 11:54 to give the Hounds a 4-2 victory.
Youngstown improves to 11-6-5 (27pts), they remain four points behind Memphis for first place in the Northeast division. The SteelHounds will finally finish this eight game, three week road trip at Oklahoma City on Saturday night at 8:35pm on ESPN Radio-1240-The Fan.
SOUTHAVEN --- Captain Derek Landmesser had four assists to lead the Memphis RiverKings in a dominating 6-2 win over the Wichita Thunder Friday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The RiverKings held the Thunder to just one shot in the first period and to six shots through two periods as they moved to 10 games above .500 for the first time this season at 14-4-3. For the game, Memphis out-shot Wichita 47-15. The RiverKings host division foe Tulsa tomorrow night at 7:05 at the DCC. The first 1,500 fans receive a CW-30 Hockey Mr. Potato Head.
The RiverKings maintained pressure in the Wichita end right from the start and would find the back of the net with a pair of goals towards the end of the period. Jason Sessa struck for his 12th overall and 9th power play goal, both team highs, at 17:15 of the first. Just 34 seconds later, Ryan Campbell redirected a Landmesser shot from the right point for his tenth of the season and a 2-0 lead.
That assist on Campbell's 11th goal of the season tied Landmesser with Derek Grant at 272 career assists. His assist of Travis Banga's goal in the third period broke the franchise record. That assist also represented his 500th career point.
After Wichita scored three minutes into the second to cut the RiverKings' lead to 2-1, Darrell Stoddard and Rick Kozak responded at 6:00 and 18:00 of the period, their seventh and fourth goals respectively, for a 4-1 lead after two.
Banga's goal at 5:27 of the third came on a rebound of a Landmesser shot. It was Banga's 11th of the season. Wichita's Jeremy Koning scored off of his own rebound at 10:02 of the third to cut the lead to 5-2. Derek Campbell put the lead back at four and wrapped up the scoring at 13:19.
To go with Landmesser's four assists, other RiverKings with multiple point nights included Banga (1 goal, 2 assists); Derek Campbell (1 goal, 1assist); Ryan Campbell (1 goal, 1 assist); and Steve Makway (2 assists).
Larry Sterling notched his league leading 13th win with 13 saves on 15 shots. Andrew Martin took the loss with 41 saves and six goals against.
The win and the accompanying two points kept the RiverKings four points ahead of Youngstown for first in the Northeast Division. The Steelhounds won 4-2 in Tulsa Friday night.
The RiverKings also held their Teddy Bear Toss Friday night with around 200 stuffed animals being thrown on the ice after the team's first goal. Those stuffed animals will now be donated to the North Mississippi Sexual Assault Resource Center's "Gifts From the Heart."
########################
RiverKings tickets make great Christmas gifts. Flex Plan packages start at only $88 for 8 Red Level Coupons that can be used for any home game. Ticket Gift Certificates are also available.
Call 662-342-1755 for more information.
Don't miss the next Kevin McClelland Show on Tuesday, January 2 LIVE from Beef O' Brady's in Southaven from 6-7 on Sports 56 WHBQ.
RiverKings Single-Game Tickets for all 2006-2007 home games are on sale now at the DeSoto Civic Center box office and at all TicketMaster locations.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Friday, December 15 --- Mercury Printing Team Poster to first 1,500 fans; Teddy Bear Toss; Post Game Skate; Saturday, December 16 --- CW-30 Hockey Mr Potato Head to first 1,500 fans; Q107.5 Diamond Giveaway; Tuesday, December 19 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans
After every RiverKings home game, the party heads to the new Buffalo Wild Wings on Airways in Southaven, the official Post Game Hang-Out of the RiverKings.
Central Hockey League news 12/16
Central Hockey League news 12/16
Linear Mode
