ODESSA, TX -- The Mudbugs set forth on a stretch of three games in three days on Friday night in Odessa, TX. The Bugs and Jackalopes exchanged several opportunities in the first period with neither team able to capitalize.
Odessa broke the scoreless tie in the second period on the powerplay when Andrew Davis fired a shot from the right point to beat Mudbugs goaltender Adam Hanna. The Bugs tied it up only minutes later when Jeremy Downs' shot from the left point snaked through traffic to even the game. It was Downs' first goal of the season.
The game remained tied at one until Jeremy Downs rifled another shot from the left point through traffic, beating Mike Gorman for his second goal of the game and giving the Bugs the one goal lead. The Bugs would get one more goal when Ryan Fairbarn one-timed a shot by Gorman to give the Bugs a two goal edge. Adam Hanna stopped 44 of 45 to earn his first Mudbugs win, a 3-1 final.
CHRISTI, TX -- The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs traveled south to face the Corpus Christi Rayz for the first time this season on New Year's Eve. A scoreless first period gave way to a wild second period.
Daniel Pegoraro cut in to the offensive zone and deked Brent Zelenewich for the first goal of the game in the second period. Corpus answered on a goal by Jay Hardwick who one-timed a shot by Adam Hanna from the wing. The Bugs answered on the Powerplay, Milan Vodrazka took a feed from Forbes MacPherson right front of the net and jammed it in. The Mudbugs went up by two when Zelenewich couldn't handle a slapshot by Chris Gustafson and Daniel Pegoraro tapped the rebound in for his second goal of the game. The Rayz came back within one as Tony Johnson's shot through traffic beat Hanna top shelf.
Corpus Christi evened the game in the third period when Ryan Carter scored on an turnover. The Mudbugs regained the lead when Ryan Fairbarn pinched in, taking a feed from MacPherson and beating Zelenewich back door. The Rayz tied the game when Nicklas Lindberg redirected a shot in front of the net, sending it to overtime.
The game progressed to a shootout after a scoreless OT. The Mudbugs were unable to convert on any of four opportunites. Ryan Baird and Jason Carter scored to clinch the game, a shootout victory for Corpus Christi.
Eagles Game vs. Arizona Rescheduled for January 4th
WINDSOR, Colo.- The Colorado Eagles along with the Central Hockey League announced today that the team's game originally scheduled for December 22nd against the Arizona Sundogs has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 4th. The game will be played at the Budweiser Events Center starting at 7:05 p.m. MST.
"There are not a lot of openings when trying to reschedule a game due to both teams' travel schedules and building availability, this was the best opportunity for us to make up that game," said Eagles President and General Manager Ralph Backstrom. "We appreciate our fans patience and understanding with the unpredictable weather that has caused the changes to our schedule."
All group and individual tickets from the originally-scheduled December 22nd game will be honored at the game on January 4th.
Season ticket holders, please bring your Game #13 tickets against the Arizona Sundogs.
Hartsburg and Williamson Added to All-Star Game Roster
WINDSOR, Colo.- Colorado Eagles' forward Chris Hartsburg and defenseman Brad Williamson will join Riley Nelson and Head Coach Chris Stewart in the 2007 Dodge Central Hockey League All-Star Game in Bossier-Shreveport, Louisiana on January 17th. The remainder of the teams were announced today by the CHL's Hockey Operations Department in conjuction with respective conference All-Star Coaches.
Hartsburg, 26, will be attending his first All-Star Game. The Eagles' third year forward has 11 goals and 18 assists in 24 games this season enjoying the best start of his pro career. He is tied for second in the CHL with three shorthanded goals and he is alone in second with six shorthanded points, both behind Eagles starting All-Star center Riley Nelson. The 2005 CHL Playoff MVP is also second on the Eagles' roster in power play goals (7) and game-winning goals (3).
Williamson will be playing in his fifth All-Star Game and third in the Central Hockey League. He played in two ECHL All-Star Games in 2002 and 2003 with the South Carolina Stingrays and in 2004, 2006 and 2007 with the Eagles. He is in his eighth professional season and has only missed the All-Star Game once in the last six seasons. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native currently leads all CHL defensemen with 25 assists to go along with his three goals in just 24 games played.
Hartsburg, Nelson and Williamson are joined by Eagles Head Coach Chris Stewart, Athletic Trainer Chris Porowski and Equipment Manager Tony Deynzer. This is the third straight season Chris Stewart has coached the Northern Conference, he is 2-1 in his three previous All-Star Games. The remainder of the the Northern Conference All-Stars are: Forwards- Jeff Christian (Youngstown), Chris Richards (Youngstown), Joe Blaznek (Wichita), Garrett Prosofsky (Oklahoma City), Mike Wiggins (Tulsa), Dan Wildfong (Bossier-Shreveport), and Mark Wires (Rocky Mountain). Defensemen- Mike Burgoyne (Oklahoma City), Derek Landmesser (Memphis), Paul Esdale (Youngstown), Matt Medley (Tulsa), and Jason Tessier (Memphis). Goaltenders- John Decaro (Bossier-Shreveport), Larry Sterling (Memphis), and Sebastien Laplante (Wichita).
The Eagles will play tonight against the Wichita Thunder at 7:05 p.m. MST at the Budweiser Events Center.
Eagles Extend Win Streak with 4-2 Win Over Wichita
LOVELAND, Colo.- Chris Hartsburg had his second straight two-goal game as the Colorado Eagles defeated the Wichita Thunder Friday night 4-2 at the Budweiser Events Center. The game marked the Eagles 123rd consecutive sellout (including playoffs) at home and their 10th straight victory. Tim Boron saved 30 of 32 shots for his fifth win of the season and Sebastien Laplante saved 36 of 40 shots for the Thunder. Brad Williamson scored the Eagles league-leading 20th shorthanded goal as the Eagles won their 13th straight game at home. Colorado will play the Austin Ice Bats Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center for the first time in team history. Game time is at 7:05 p.m. MST.
The Eagles tallied the lone goal in the opening period on a goal by Scott Polaski at the 2:11 mark. He picked up the puck off the back boards and slid it underneath Wichita's goaltender Sebastien Laplante. Eagles defenseman Aaron Schneekloth assisted on the play for his 17th assist on the season. Shots were even at 12, although the Eagles killed four penalties in the period.
Chris Hartsburg gave Colorado a 2-0 lead on a power play goal at the 10:48 mark of the second period on assists from Ryan Tobler and Craig Strain. At the 19:25 mark, Brad Williamson scored the Eagles 20th shorthanded goal of the season on a slapshot from the top of the left circle. He was assisted by Ed McGrane. Colorado out shot Wichita 22-4 in the period and held a 3-0 lead going into the final frame.
Colorado made it a 4-0 game on Hartsburg's second goal of the game and fourth in the past two games. An even strength goal at the 5:30 mark of the third period on assists from Riley Nelson and Jay Birnie. Nelson continued his point-scoring streak to 10 games with the assist. Wichita battled back and Travis Clayton scored power play goals at the 8:33 and 13:31 marks of the third period. Colorado spent much of the period in the penalty box, however won their 10th straight game behind the goaltending of Tim Boron. The Eagles finished the game out shooting Wichita 40-32 and killed 12 of 14 penalties. Colorado was one for three on the power play and have scored a power play goal in 21 of their 25 games this season. Final score: Eagles 4 - Thunder 2.
LOVELAND, Colo.- Les Borsheim scored the game-winning goal 1:54 into overtime as the Colorado Eagles won their 11th straight game 3-2 over the Austin Ice Bats at the Budweiser Events Center. The game marked Austin's first trip to Colorado in four seasons and they became only the second team this season to earn a point at the BEC. Colorado is now just one win away from tying the Central Hockey League record of 12 wins in a row. The Eagles out shot Austin 51-29 in the game, but Ice Bats' goaltender Miguel Beaudry kept his team in the game saving 48 of 51 shots. Ed McGrane and Lee Arnold scored the other two goals for Colorado who are now 22-4-0 and in first place in the Northwest Division. The Eagles will play again on Thursday, January 4th in a makeup game against the Arizona Sundogs. They play Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Budweiser Events Center. The Eagles wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.
Colorado picked up where they left off with a couple goals in the first period. Ed McGrane put in a rebound off a Seth Leonard shot to put the Eagles up 1-0. The goal marked McGrane's fourth goal in five games and continued his point streak to five games. At the 16:59 mark, Lee Arnold scored his first goal of the season on a centering pass from Garrett Larson. The Eagles out shot Austin 19-7 in the period and led 2-0 going into the first intermission.
Neither team was able to light the lamp in the second period. Colorado out shot the Ice Bats again in the period 12-9.
Austin quickly erased the Eagles lead in the third period on two unassisted goals. First it was John McNabb at the 3:22 mark when he came in on a two-on-one and beat Emond stick side. Chris Murphy tied the game just over a minute later on another unassisted goal. Only one penalty was called in the third period on Craig Strain although the Eagles held firm and killed the penalty. No more goals were scored and the Eagles were forced to just their second overtime game this season.
Les Borsheim proved to be the hero with his overtime goal at the 1:54 mark in the extra session. He was assisted by Sean Robertson and Seth Leonard. Colorado is now 2-0 in overtimes this season.
Wednesday, December 27 Eagles 5 @ New Mexico Scorpions 1
The Colorado Eagles won their ninth straight game Wednesday night 5-1 against the New Mexico Scorpions at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Colorado scored two shorthanded goals by Ed McGrane and Aaron Schneekloth adding to their league-leading total of 19 shorthanded goals on the season. Marco Emond stopped 36 of 37 shots for his seventh straight victory.
Friday, December 29 Eagles 4 vs. Wichita Thunder 2
Chris Hartsburg had his second straight two-goal game as the Colorado Eagles defeated the Wichita Thunder Friday night 4-2 at the Budweiser Events Center. The game marked the Eagles 123rd consecutive sellout (including playoffs) at home. Tim Boron saved 30 of 32 shots for his fifth win of the season and Sebastien Laplante saved 36 of 40 shots for the Thunder. Brad Williamson scored the Eagles league-leading 20th shorthanded goal.
Saturday, December 30 Eagles 3 vs. Austin Ice Bats 2 - OT
Les Borsheim scored the game-winning goal 1:54 into overtime as the Colorado Eagles won their 11th straight game 3-2 over the Austin Ice Bats at the Budweiser Events Center. The game marked Austin's first trip to Colorado in four seasons and they became only the second team this season to earn a point at the BEC.
Week Ahead
Thursday, January 4 vs. Arizona Sundogs, 7:05 p.m. MST Radio: 107.9 The Bear
The Eagles take on the Sundogs for the third time this season at the Budweiser Events Center. It is the fourth overall meeting of the season and the home team has won every game. This is a rescheduled game that was originally to be played on December 22, 2006. Each team has scored six power play goals on 27 chances and the Sundogs hold a slight edge out scoring Colorado a total of 13-12.
Friday, January 5 vs. Youngstown SteelHounds, 7:05 p.m. MST Radio: 107.9 The Bear
Colorado hosts the SteelHounds for the first of two January meetings at the Budweiser Events Center. The Eagles have not lost to the SteelHounds going 4-0 last year in Youngstown's inaugural season. Colorado won both meetings at the BEC last season by a combined score of 7-3. The teams will play three games in Youngstown over the St. Patrick's Day weekend. Last season, Colorado played on the green ice in Youngstown on St. Patrick's Day.
Saturday, January 6 vs. Rocky Mountain Rage, 7:05 p.m. MST Radio: 107.9 The Bear
The Rage are a familiar foe for Colorado this season, the game on Saturday will be the 10th meeting between the two teams this season. Colorado is 7-2 against Rocky Mountain having won the last four contests. Riley Nelson leads all scorers in the series with 16 points (7-9-16) including two shorthanded goals. The Eagles and Rage will face off two more times after Saturday night's game, once in Broomfield on February 10th and once more on March 3rd in front of a televised audience on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Eagles Team Leaders
Goals: Pankewicz 18 Shots: Nelson 109
Assists: Williamson 26 SH Pct: Pankewicz .340 - leads CHL
Points: Nelson 38 Shootout G: -- --
+/-: Nelson +20 Wins: Emond 17
PIM: Borsheim 116 GAA: Emond 2.62
PPG: Pankewicz 12 - leads CHL Saves: Emond 563
SHG: Nelson 7 - leads CHL Save Pct: Emond .918
GWG: Pankewicz 4 Minutes: Emond 1146:56
Streaks
Ed McGrane Five games (4-4-8)
Rescheduled Game- The Eagles game on Thursday night is the rescheduled game against the Arizona Sundogs originally scheduled for December 22, 2006. Season ticket holders are asked to bring their original Game #13 tickets to the game.
Win Streak- The Eagles are currently on an 11-game winning streak that started on December 2nd against the Lubbock Cotton Kings. The streak is the second longest in Eagles history and one-away from the all-time mark of 12 games that Colorado tied in the 2004-05 season. During the win streak Colorado has out scored their opponents 44-20.
Home Sweet Home- Since the Eagles opening night loss to the Rage at the Budweiser Events Center on October 20th, the Eagles have not lost a game at home. Colorado has reeled off 14 consecutive wins in which they have outscored their opponents 66-31 during that time. The streak is the longest streak of home wins in Eagles history.
Moving on Up- Eagles head coach Chris Stewart won his 314th Central Hockey League game on Saturday night against the Austin Ice Bats. He is now tied with Ice Bats head coach Bill McDonald on the CHL's all-time list with the 314 wins.
Three-in-Three- Due to the rescheduled game against the Arizona Sundogs, the Eagles will be playing three games in three nights. After this weekend, the Eagles will have two more "three-in-three" situations, both of them on the road. Colorado travels to Tulsa, Wichita and Oklahoma City later this month for three games in three nights on January 26-28. Later in the season, the Eagles will play three games in three nights against the Youngstown SteelHounds on March 16-18.
Magic Number "3"- The Eagles magic number this season is three. Colorado is 23-1 this season when scoring three or more goals and they have won 23 games in a row when reaching the third goal. On the contrary, the Eagles are just 1-3 when scoring less than three goals.
Eagles on The Bear- Every Colorado Eagles game will be held on the new home of the Colorado Eagles, 107.9 The Bear. All Eagles games will also be streamed online at www.1079thebear.com.
Corpus Christi Rayz goaltender, Brent Zelenewich has been added to the 2007 CHL Southern Conference All-Star Team, the Central Hockey League announced Friday afternoon as part of the final All-Star selections. The All-Star appearance will be the first of Zelenewich's career. The Rayz backstop was selected as one of two additional goaltenders and 12 total Southern Conference All-Star reserves, after Wednesday's starting lineups were announced. Zelenwich currently ranks in the top five in the Southern Conference in both goals against average and save percentage. The 2007 Dodge CHL All-Star Game will be played in Bossier-Shreveport, LA on Wednesday, January 17th.
Zelenewich, 27, is in his fourth pro season and third in Corpus Christi. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is 4-5-2 this season with a 2.65 GAA and .916 save percentage in 15 games this season. The 5'10", 175 lbs. backstop has started the Rayz last five games and appeared in six straight heading into Friday's weekend opener. Zelenewich has played all four of his professional seasons under Rayz Head Coach, Ken McRae, dating back to his rookie campaign with the Indianapolis Ice in 2003-2004. While there Zelenewich earned a call-up to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Zelenewich was selected by Laredo Bucks Head Coach, Terry Ruskowski, who will serve as the Southern Conference Head Coach in the All-Star Game. Zelenewich joins Rayz forward Justin Quenneville as the two Corpus Christi representatives at the All-Star Game. Quenneville was voted in as a starting forward on the Southern Conference team earlier in the week. For a complete listing of 2007 CHL All-Stars please visit Central Hockey League.
The Rayz also announced on Friday that Corpus Christi Play-by-Play Broadcaster, Josh Bogorad was named to the 2007 Dodge CHL All-Star broadcast team. Bogorad is in his fourth season with the Rayz, and was selected as this year's Southern Conference broadcaster. He will join Memphis RiverKings broadcaster, Jim Erickson and Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs broadcaster, Justin Scholtes to handle broadcasting duties for the game. Bogorad will be working his second CHL All-Star Game. In 2005, Bogorad was named to the radio broadcast team for the All-Star Classic in Laredo, Texas.
The countdown to 2007 is on, and you can be a part of the biggest New Year's Eve Party in the Coastal Bend. It all takes place Sunday night, December 31st on the on "Tux and Pucks Night" at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. The Corpus Christi Rayz will host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at a special start time of 8:05pm at the American Bank Center, and all fans in attendance at the game will receive free admission to a post-game New Year's Eve Party. The post-game party will feature public skating, party favors and a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront. Tickets start at just $10. Call ahead to inquire about $6 seats. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.
After a 20 day layoff, Rayz fans might have wondered if Ron Vogel would return to the Corpus Christi crease with any rust. On Friday night, Vogel put all doubt to bed. The Rayz netminder was outstanding, making 38 save son 39 shots to lead the Rayz past the cotton Kings 3-1 at the City Bank Coliseum. Todd Paul and Nick Lindberg each added a goal and assist and Corpus Christi never trailed as they moved over the 30 point mark with the win. The Rayz improved to 13-11-5 on the year and remained in second place in the Southeast Division and Southern Conference. The Rayz earned points for the 13th time in 16 road games this season. The Rayz will now travel to Odessa on Saturday before returning to South Texas for New Year's Eve Tux and Pucks Game at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T.
The teams stayed scoreless through the opening period of play. The Rayz had a two-man advantage for just under a minute in the game, but could not solve J.F. Perras. Vogel played very well in his first period of action since December 9th. The Rayz were outshot 13-7 in the period, and the clubs began the second period still searching for the game's first goal.
The Rayz made sure the search didn't last long, as Corpus Christi scored two quick goals to leap onto the scoreboard. Todd Paul scored from the right point at 3:26 of the frame to five the Rayz a 1-0 lead. Less than three minutes later, they doubled their advantage when Ryan Carter took a feed rushing down the right wing and beat Perras with a low shot to made the score 2-0. Carter's goal was his tenth of the year. With the goal, he extended his point streak to five games and has goals in four of those five. Nick Lindberg assisted along with Paul, giving Lindberg a five game point streak of his own. The Kings climbed to within one with a power play goal at 12:38. Rookie sensation, Simon Watson was camped out to the right edge of the crease when a puck bounced to him and him slammed it past Vogel for the Kings first goal of the night. Watson's goal was his 15th of the year to lead all CHL rookies. The Rayz and Kings both managed 13 shots on net in the second period and the Rayz took a 2-1 lead into the third period.
In the third period, the Kings made a surge to tie the game, but Corpus Christi rode a brilliant goaltending effort from Vogel to earn their 13th win of the season. Vogel stopped all 13 shots in the third period including a penalty shot from Watson with 6:43 remaining in the game. Nick Lindberg won a faceoff to himself and scored from center ice to seal the Rayz win at 19:44. The Rayz were outshot 13-4 in the final frame.
The win for the Rayz upped their point total to 31 in 29 games and improved their road record to 8-3-5. Vogel won his ninth game of the year to move to 9-6-3. The Kings suffered the loss to drop to an even 12-12-2. Perras made 21 saves on 23 shots, but fell to 6-6-1 with the defeat. The Kings outshot the Rayz 39-24. The Rayz went 0-7 on the power play and Lubbock went 1-8. The Rayz will continue their road trip in Odessa on Saturday night to take on the Jackalopes at 7:00pm.
The countdown to 2007 is on, and you can be a part of the biggest New Year's Eve Party in the Coastal Bend. It all takes place Sunday night, December 31st on the on "Tux and Pucks Night" at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. The Corpus Christi Rayz will host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at a special start time of 8:05pm at the American Bank Center, and all fans in attendance at the game will receive free admission to a post-game New Year's Eve Party. The post-game party will feature public skating, party favors and a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront. Tickets start at just $10. Call ahead to inquire about $6 seats. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.
The Corpus Christi Rayz had gone 11 games and seven weeks since their last road regulation loss heading into Saturday night's game at Odessa. A 3-1 loss to the Jackalopes snapped the streak in the same place it originated. Power plays were the difference Saturday as the Jacks topped the Rayz at the Ector county Coliseum. The Jacks went 2-3 on the power play, while the Rayz went 0-8. The Rayz fell to 13-12-5 on the year and remained in second place in the Southeast Division and Southern Conference. The Rayz will now return to South Texas for New Year's Eve Tux and Pucks Game at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.
The Rayz got on the board first when Corpus Christi's leading scorer Justin Quenneville scored 1:14 into the game. Quenneville collected his 31st point with the goal, eclipsing last year's total of points in 18 fewer games. The goal stood as the only of the frame and the Rayz took their 1-0 lead into the first intermission break. The Rayz outshot the Jacks 12-10 in the opening period.
Odessa turned the tides in the second period with a pair of goals. Defenseman Alex Dunn got the Jacks on the board with a power play tally at 9:38 to tie the score at one. Then at 14:47, with a delayed penalty coming against the Rayz, the Jacks took their first lead of the game when Mike Ramsay scored his 12th of the season on a rebound shot into the top right corner. The Jackalopes held on to the 2-1 lead for the remainder of the period.
In the third period, the Jacks tacked on an insurance marker at 8:56 when Andrew Davis redirected a shot into the net on a power play to make the score 3-1 Jacks. The Rayz outshot the Jacks 12-5 in the frame.
The loss for the Rayz dropped their record to 13-12-5. The regulation loss was just their fourth on the road this season, and first in 11 games since a November 10th loss in Odessa. Vogel made 29 saves on 32 shots, but took the loss falling to 9-7-3. The Jacks improved to 12-12-3. Mike Gorman made 33 saves on 34 shots, and moved to 8-7-2 with the win. The Rayz outshot the Jacks 34-32. The Rayz went 0-8 on the power play and Odessa went 2-3.
The countdown to 2007 is on, and you can be a part of the biggest New Year's Eve Party in the Coastal Bend. It all takes place Sunday night, December 31st on the on "Tux and Pucks Night" at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. The Corpus Christi Rayz will host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at a special start time of 8:05pm at the American Bank Center, and all fans in attendance at the game will receive free admission to a post-game New Year's Eve Party. The post-game party will feature public skating, party favors and a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront. Tickets start at just $10. Call ahead to inquire about $6 seats. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.
Central Hockey League 1/2
Bugs Beat Jackalopes 3-1
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