The Corpus Christi Rayz came into Sunday's game versus the Rio Grande Valley trying to roll the momentum from Friday's dramatic victory over the Lubbock Cotton Kings. After their dominating win over the Killer Bees on Sunday, Rayz fans will be calling for an encore of this game as well. The Rayz rode a three-goal second period to a 5-1 win over Rio Grande Valley at the Dodge Arena and won their fourth game in the last five contests. The Rayz improved their record to 12-10-4 with 28 points and trail the idle Laredo Bucks by just two points for the top spot in the Southeast Division. The Rayz will now have off until they travel to Laredo on Friday night. The Rayz then return home on Saturday to face the Odessa Jackalopes on Saturday, December 23rd for a Holiday Celebration, presented by Champion Honda.
The Rayz, who had Saturday night off, were looking to jump on the Bees early and it didn't take long for them to do just that. Blair Stayzer got the first goal of the game just 1:38 into the game on a rebound chance from the bottom of the slot. The Rayz took a 1-0 lead into the second period after they dominated the opening period, outshooting the Bees 12-3.
In the second period, the Rayz poured it on, breaking the game wide open. Rookie forward Adam Powell scored at 7:45 on his own rebound to make the score 2-0. Corpus Christi added to their lead at 12:42 when Ryan Carter ripped a shot from the right circle that trickled through Jeff Van Nynatten. Van Nynatten was pulled after allowing his third goal of the game, but the Rayz continued their offensive onslaught. Tony Johnson capped the scoring in the period when he bulleted a one timer from the left circle past replacement netminder, Jeremy Symington at 14:06 to make the score 4-0. The Rayz again dominated the frame in shots, outshooting Rio Grande Valley 12-7.
In the third period, the Bees got on the board after Head Coach Paul Fixter was given a penalty and ejected. While shorthanded, Rio Grande Valley's Kurtis Dulle scored from the slot at 1:36 to get the Bees on the board. The Rayz came back and capped the scoring when Powell tallied his second of the game for his first multi-goal game as a pro at 4:32. The Bees outshot the Rayz 13-6 in the final frame.
The Rayz won their second straight and have points in five of their last six games. Corpus Christi finished their week 2-1, while Rio Grande Valley suffered their fourth straight defeat. The Killer Bees fell to 11-11-2 with the loss. Zelenewich made 22 saves on 23 shots for his second win of the week. He improved to 4-4-1. Van Nynatten took the loss surrendering three goals on 24 shots. Symington allowed two goals on 12 shots, but did not figure into the decision. The Rayz win was their second in a row over Rio Grande Valley. For the fourth straight game, the Rayz held the opposition scoreless on the power play. The Rayz went 0-8. Rio Grande Valley went 0-4. The Rayz outhsot the Bees 36-23.
The Youngstown SteelHounds finish their grueling eight game road trip on a high by taking out the Tulsa Oilers and the Oklahoma City Blazers over the weekend, both by the score of 4-2. The wins gave the Hounds a 4-3-1 record over the three week stint improving them to 12-6-5 (29pts) for the season.
What's on Tap:
Some home cooking is finally being served for the SteelHounds as they will play in the Chevrolet Centre for the first time since November 25th when they host the Austin Ice Bats (10-9-4 24pts) this Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
Quiet but Lethal for Landolt:
Youngstown forward Shaun Landolt was pivotal in the victories over the weekend recording a goal (7) and an assist (12). He now has 19 points, fourth best on the team for the Cloverdale, British Columbia Native.
The Captain is Streaking:
Captain and assistant coach, Jeff Christian now has the CHL's longest active point streak at 10 games. The veteran had a goal and an assist in both games over the weekend to stay even with line mate Chris Richards for first place in assists (28) and points (42) in the Central Hockey League. The player/assistant coach has recorded a point in every game except one this season.
Are Players Jealous?
Youngstown defensemen, Paul Esdale was targeted all weekend long by opponents and still managed to get two assists in the win over the Blazers on Saturday night. Esdale has six goals to go with his 17 assists for 23 points which puts him sixth best amongst defensemen in the CHL. When asked about why his assistant captain has a bull's-eye on his chest Head Coach, Kevin Kaminski said this: "Hey when you're 5ft9 and the best defensemen in the league, people are going to come after you."
Festivus this Saturday:
Saturday night is Festivus at the Chevy Centre as poles will be scattered all over the arena for fans to enjoy the holiday. This is all part of a three day weekend that includes a gift for everyone on Friday night and student rush night this Thursday. Tickets start at $8 and available by calling the ticket office today at (330) 747-PUCK.
IMPACT Ministries to take turn as featured nonprofit at Tuesday's home game
SOUTHAVEN --- IMPACT Ministries (formerly Desoto Sunrise Homes) is a faith-based agency that has been a part of the community for over twenty years. For the past couple of years IMPACT Ministries has attended the Memphis RiverKings' games as the featured non-profit. Continuing in this tradition, they will be present Tuesday, December 19 as the RiverKings face-off against the Oklahoma City Blazers at 7:05 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center.
IMPACT Ministries is a combination of Christian services provided throughout the community and, in particular, children and adolescents who are "at risk". The ultimate goal of IMPACT Ministries is to help the children within their programs become emotionally healthy, productive members of society.
IMPACT Ministries consists of four facets: Sunrise Children's Shelter, Sunrise Home for Girls, Christian Counseling, and a thrift store.
Sunrise Children's Shelter, the only shelter of its kind in Northwest Mississippi, provides emergency shelter to abused and neglected children. Sunrise Home for Girls provides long-term housing for adolescent women, many of which are victims of abuse so severe that they are unable to function in a foster home.
"Once a girl/child becomes one of our girls/children," said IMPACT Ministries Director of Administration Trey Agner. "They will always be one of our children. IMPACT Ministries will always support and take care of our children. K.K. was a resident of ours who will be dropping the puck at the game Tuesday. She now attends Northwest Mississippi Community College, and is doing well. IMPACT is proud to have her represent us for the ceremonial puck drop."
Christian Counseling, part of IMPACT Ministries, is biblical based professional counseling. "We have about six or seven counselors," Agner said. "Individuals can come to us and get counseling from those counselors for any type of need whether it is marriage, divorce, self help, etc. And every category of counseling is available to individuals at a sliding scale reduced cost rate."
IMPACT Ministries boasts a large 30,000 square foot thrift store. Similar to most other thrift stores, the major difference is that IMPACT Ministries store is benevolent. "We help families whose houses, apartments, etc have been burnt down or affected by severe weather," Agner explained. "Though items can be sold at will, with monies benefiting the homes, people in need can come into the store and get whatever necessities they need for free."
IMPACT Ministries recently kicked off the Independence Day Home Giveaway fundraiser. "We broke ground to build a 3,000 square foot, 2 bedroom house in Snowden Grove, Southaven on Wednesday December 13," said Agner. "We are raffling off tickets at $100 a piece. The winner will receive this beautiful house, while all the monies raised will benefit IMPACT Ministries homes."
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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: Tuesday, December 19 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans; Sunday, January 7 --- Post Game Skate with Players; Tuesday, January 9 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans; Friday, January 12 --- Darrell Stoddard Mini Bobbleheads to the first 1,500 fans; Post Game Skate
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.
Heating Up: The Tulsa Oilers have two home games this week, which start a stretch of four games in five days and seven games in 10 days. The Oilers will host round five of the Johnny Carino's Challenge Cup series with the Wichita Thunder Friday night at 7:35 p.m. and will host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (tied with the Oilers for third place in the Northeast Division) Saturday at 7:35 p.m.
All Good Things End: The Oilers saw their six game winning streak (longest since 2002) end in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Memphis RiverKings December 12th. The Oilers suffered their first home ice regulation loss since November 7th when Youngstown downed the Oilers 4-2 on Friday night. On Saturday, the Oilers and Memphis went to overtime for the third time this season, and for the second time this week, Memphis prevailed in a shootout, this time, 4-3.
Two Deuces: Two players had two goal games this week. David Masse scored twice in the first game against Memphis and Jaroslav Cesky had two goals against Youngstown.
Happy First: Defenseman Darryl Smoleroff scored his first professional goal in Saturday's shootout loss at Memphis.
Roster Moves: Defenseman Matt Hanson played his first game of the season Friday night, after suffering a broken jaw in the final preseason game. Right winger Marlon Joseph was placed on injured reserve after leaving Tuesday's game after the first period.
Tickets Here: Oiler tickets are available at all Carson Attraction locations, Drug Mart stores, and by phone at (918) 584-2000.
The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs played only one game in last week's CHL competition, traveling north to face Wichita on Saturday night at the Kansas Coliseum. After trailing through two periods of play, the Mudbugs stormed back when Cam Abbott fed his brother Chris Abbott in front of the net. Chris Abbott scored his first goal as a Mudbug to put Bossier-Shreveport on the board. Jason Basile converted on the powerplay later in the third period to even the game. The game went to a four-on-four overtime where Joe Blaznek was able to elude the Mudbugs defense and slip the puck by Ken Carroll for the game winning goal. It was the first time Wichita beat the Mudbugs in four meetings this year. The Bugs set a season high with 56 shots on goal.
MUDBUGS STARS OF THE WEEK
JASON BASILE -His powerplay goal evened the game on Saturday.
CHRIS ABBOTT - Scored a goal in his first Mudbugs game.
DANIEL PEGORARO - Assisted on game tying goal to continue his point scoring streak to three games.
UPCOMING GAME PROMOTIONS
CHRISTMAS PARTY - Come celebrate Christmas with the Mudbugs on December 22nd as the Mudbugs take on the Memphis RiverKings. The Mudbugs will be wearing special Christmas Jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game, sponsored by Cajun Coffee House and Le Mode Shoes and Accessories. Then stick around to skate with the Mudbugs players.
CHEERLEADER NIGHT - Anyone wearing a cheerleading outfit gets free admission when the Mudbugs host the Tulsa Oilers on January 5th, 2007 at 7:05 PM. Tickets for family and friends are available at group rate of $9 per ticket. Please call the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS for details.
POWERPLAY WITH SCOTT MUSCUTT -
Catch Powerplay with Head Coach Scott Muscutt tomorrow night, December 18th at 6 P.M. at Buffalo Wild Wings located at the Boardwalk in Bossier City. Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Scott Muscutt and Justin Scholtes will discuss everything involving Mudbugs hockey. You can submit your questions to the coach or players and one lucky winner will walk away with a special Mudbugs prize. Members of the Mudbugs team will also be on hand. If you can't attend the event you can listen to it live on 1130 AM KWKH.
ALL-STAR BANQUET TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets to the 2007 All-Star Banquet dinner presented by Dodge are on sale. The Banquet will be held on January 16th from 5:30 PM-8:00 PM at the Horseshoe Casino RiverDome. Comedian Jim Breuer and Colorado Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix are scheduled to entertain and speak at the event. Tickets are $100 per person. Tables can be purchased for $1,500 and include nine banquet tickets plus dinner with a Mudbugs player of your choice. Players will be reserved on a first come first serve basis. A table of ten can also be purchased for $1,000 dollars without a player. Call 318-752-BUGS to reserve your tickets today. You can also click the link on the left hand side at mudbugshockey.com: Splash, print off the registration form and fax it to the Mudbugs office.
WIN A MAGNUM ALL-STAR CONTEST Fans still have two more days to register to win a trip to the CHL All-Star game on January, 17th 2007. One lucky winner will win the use of a Dodge Magnum for a year and have a chance to win the car outright. Stop by Landers Dodge in Shreveport to register or any one of the participating Dodge dealerships listed online at mudbugshockey.com: Splash. You can also submit a fax entry available online at mudbugshockey.com: Splash.
THIS WEEK -
The Mudbugs get a couple opportunities to gain ground against division opponents over the next week. They host the Memphis RiverKings at home on Friday night at 7:05 P.M. on December 22nd at CenturyTel Center. Then it's back to Tulsa for a game on the night of December 23rd. The following week the Mudbugs return home for a game against the RiverKings the day after Christmas. Single game tickets can be purchased at the CenturyTel Box Office, online at Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more or by phone at 318-741-9700. Group tickets for both games against Memphis can be purchased by calling 318-752-BUGS.
MUDBUGS RECORD THIS WEEK: (0-0-1)
OVERALL RECORD: (10-9-4)
Tied for 3rd place in Northeast Division (24 pts.)
SOUTHAVEN --- The first place Memphis RiverKings will be making a little pit-stop at the Windy City Grille in Como, MS on Thursday afternoon as they hit the road for Bossier-Shreveport and the game with the Mudbugs Friday night. Fans are invited to come and help send the RiverKings on their way as they embark on a stretch of seven straight road games.
The team is expected to arrive at the Windy City Grille at approximately 12:45. The players and traveling staff will eat lunch there, be available to sign autographs and mingle with fans.
The RiverKings started the season by playing 17 of their first 23 games at home, but beginning Friday, the schedule begins to even out. Following Friday night's game in Bossier City, the second ranked RiverKings play at Wichita on Saturday, back at Bossier-Shreveport on Tuesday, December 26, at Youngstown on December 29 and 30, and then at Oklahoma City and Tulsa on January 5 and 6, respectively.
The Windy City Grille is located in downtown Como, MS. They are known for their signature pizzas, great pasta and fantastic burgers and sandwiches. Come have a great lunch and wish your RiverKings luck in the upcoming road games.
Prior to hitting the road on Thursday, the RiverKings play host the third ranked Oklahoma City Blazers tomorrow night (Tuesday) at the DCC at 7:05.
RIVERKINGS ROAD TRIP SEND-OFF
Thursday, December 21
12:45pm
Windy City Grille
217 Main St
Como, MS 38619
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UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Tuesday, December 19 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans; Sunday, January 7 --- Post Game Skate with Players; Tuesday, January 9 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans; Friday, January 12 --- Darrell Stoddard Mini Bobbleheads to the first 1,500 fans; Post Game Skate
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.
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.
The Corpus Christi Rayz would like to invite you to Beamer's Restaurant at 5922 S. Staples St. tonight from 6:00pm-6:40pm for the Rayz Round-Up Radio Show. Tonight's special guest player will be Rayz forward Nick Lindberg. Lindberg will join Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae and Rayz play-by-play broadcaster Josh Bogorad at the show. Fans who attend the show live will have the opportunity to win unique Rayz prizes. Plus fans can participate in the show by asking questions live at Beamer's. Beamer's also has great specials including 35 cent wings and discounted beers and margaritas. The Rayz Round-Up Show will air on Monday Night's throughout the Rayz season and can be heard on the Rayz flagship station ESPN 1230AM. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.
Rayz Round-Up - Live From Beamer's will offer fans an in depth look into the week in Rayz hockey and the upcoming schedule ahead. It is also a chance for fans to connect to their favorite players away from the ice. Fans are encouraged to not only attend the show live, but participate as well. Fans can also submit their questions with an email to question@ccrayz.com or call into the show at (361) 884-1230. At each weekly show the Rayz will conduct giveaways consisting of tickets to upcoming games, or Rayz merchandise. All Rayz players and Coach McRae will be available for autographs following each Rayz Round-Up show. In addition to ESPN 1230AM, Rayz Round-Up - Live From Beamer's will be aired via the internet from the Rayz website at Corpus Christi Rayz. Interested fans can click the "Listen to the Rayz Live" link at the bottom of the page.
The Rayz invite all of their fans to join them at Beamer's at 5922 S. Staples for tonight's Rayz Round-Up show at 6:00pm. For more information on Rayz Round-Up this season, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK or contact Beamer's at (361)992-1291.
Sundogs' Kelly Named CHL Oakley Player of the Week
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs' Brent Kelly has been named the CHL Oakley Player of the Week for week nine of the 2006-07 CHL Season. It's the second time this season that Kelly has been named the CHL Player of the Week.
In two games against Southwest Division Rival the New Mexico Scorpions in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Kelly tallied six points.
The Kitchener, Ontario native collected four points (2g/2a) in a 6-5 loss on Friday night and two goals including the game winner in OT in a 4-3 win on Saturday night.
Kelly's six points in two games against the Scorpions has earned him CHL Oakley Player of the Week honors for week nine in the Central Hockey League.
LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 0-2-1 OVERALL RECORD: 6-14-3, 15 pts., 4th Place Northwest Division
Dec. 13 vs. Oklahoma City Blazers, 5-2 Loss - The Rage opened a season-long four-game home stand with a loss to the league's best road team. Nick Warriner scored a power play goal and Bret DeCecco scored the team's first short-handed goal of the year in the set-back.
Dec. 15 vs. Colorado Eagles, 4-3 Overtime Loss - The Rage had to overcome two one-goal deficits to force overtime before the visitors won the contest 2:09 into the extra session. Nathan Rosychuk had a hand in every Rocky Mountain goal with three points (2g-1a), and defenseman Jordan Little recorded an assist and scored a game-tying goal with 12 seconds remaining in the second period to deadlock the game at three.
Dec. 16 vs. Colorado Eagles, 2-1 Loss - In the finale of a two-game set at Broomfield Event Center between the two in-state rivals, the Rage's Chip Dunleavy scored a power play goal late in the second period to send the teams to the third tied for the second consecutive evening. But the Eagles tallied a power play marker mid-way through the final frame to spoil a 50-save effort from Rocky Mountain netminder David Guererra.
THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING GAMES
Thursday, Dec. 21 vs. Lubbock Cotton Kings, 7:05 p.m. MST - Rocky Mountain concludes its longest home stand of the year as the Cotton Kings make the first of two trips to the BEC.
Saturday, Dec. 23 @ Colorado Eagles, 7:05 p.m. MST - The Rage look to improve upon their 2-5-1 record in the Rocky Mountain Rivalry. Five of the teams' previous eight head-to-head clashes have been one-goal contests with a sixth having been decided by one goal plus an empty-netter in the final seconds.
**Both games this week can be heard on KLZ 560 AM. Thursday's tilt will be tape delayed beginning at approx. 8:15 p.m., while Saturday's action will be live beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 p.m.**
NOTES
* After going the season's first 20 games without a short-handed goal, Bret DeCecco and Nathan Rosychuk scored shorties in back-to-back games for the Rage last week.
* DeCecco's short-handed effort was the team's second unassisted goal of the season. Nick Warriner registered an unassisted tally on Oct. 27 at Youngstown.
* Guererra's 50 saves on Saturday set a new team record, surpassing the 39 saves he made on Dec. 2 in a 2-1 shootout win against the Wichita Thunder.
* Guererra leads the CHL in saves (588), is second in minutes played (1,062), and is 10th with a .913 save percentage.
* The one standings point earned for Friday's overtime loss snapped a string of four straight regulation losses for the Rage. Their winless slide has grown to six straight (0-5-1), though, dating back to the win on Dec. 2.
* Anders Strome (12g-7a) and Mark Wires (7g-12a) are tied for the team scoring lead with 19 points.
Sundogs Partner with McWhite's North American Van Lines
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs and McWhite's North American Van Lines welcomed the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arizona to the Tim's Toyota Center Monday to donate toys to underprivileged children in Northern Arizona.
The Boys and Girls Clubs' visit started with a complete tour of the new Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. The tour ended in the Sundogs locker room where the entire team was waiting with toy trucks donated by McWhite's North American Van Lines. The children were also given two tickets to an upcoming Sundogs' home game.
Participating children were identified and selected by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arizona and the Prescott Valley Police Department.
"The event was tremendous," said Sundogs Vice President Brent Thiessen. "The look on the children's faces when they walked into the locker room was memorable. We're happy to be able to have helped with such a worthy cause. I'm not sure who enjoyed the toy trucks more, the players or the kids," added Thiessen.
Central Hockey League news 12/17-12/19
Central Hockey League news 12/17-12/19
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