[truebluefan]

[ PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. ]- The New Mexico Scorpions, proud member of the Central Hockey League (CHL), scorched the Arizona Sundogs 4-1 Saturday night. The win coupled with a Lubbock loss, moved the Scorpions into first place in the Southwest Division.

The game started out at a feverish pace with very few whistles and lots of action. Each team used its speed moving the puck all over the ice. The Scorpions got on the board first when Jamie Herrington notched his first goal as a member of New Mexico 14:15 into the contest.

After things finished with physical play in the first period, the Scorpions extended their lead in the second frame. Vladimir Hartinger scored his fourth goal of the year when Peter Kennedy dropped a pass to the veteran defenseman and Hartinger ripped it past goalie Kris Mayotte's glove.

Things got close in the third period when Chris Bartolone's shot hit Chris Robertson's leg and fluttered over goalie Scott Reid's head and into the net. The Scorpions wasted no time grabbing back the momentum.

Only 36-seconds later, Ryan McLeod checked his man off the puck and passed it to Lance Herauf. Herauf worked to the net and put the puck through Mayotte 's legs, giving the Scorpions their two goal lead back. Chris Robertson added a late empty net goal for the three goal victory.

The Scorpions return home on Wednesday, Dec. 27 when Colorado invades the Santa Ana Star Center . The Stanley Cup., awarded to the NHL champions will be at the Scorpions game Dec. 29 when the Scorpions host the Sundogs. Both games start at 7:35 p.m. Be sure to visit GetTix.Net for the "All In Holiday Internet Special" for great deals on tickets.

Season tickets and corporate partnership information is now available for the New Mexico Scorpions inaugural season in the Santa Ana Star Center . Make sure to reserve your seats now to be a part of all the exciting action. Reserve your season tickets under $300. Monthly plans are also available to fit any budget by calling the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK [7825] or by visiting scorpionshockey.com: Home.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League mess

 

[truebluefan]

RiverKings at Bossier-Shreveport Preview

Tuesday, December 26

Memphis RiverKings (17-5-3, 37 pts, 1st NE Div) @ Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (12-9-4, 28 pts, 3rd NE Div) 7:05

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: riverkings.com

TV: chltv.com

RECENT SCORES

Saturday, 12/16 RiverKings 4 Tulsa 3 SO

Wichita 3 Bossier-Shreveport 2 OT

Tuesday, 12/19 RiverKings 4 Oklahoma City 3

Friday, 12/22 Bossier-Shreveport 5 RiverKings 2

Saturday, 12/23 RiverKings 4 Wichita 2

Bossier-Shreveport 3 Tulsa 2

THE MATCH UP

The RiverKings continue with their holiday road trip with game three of a string of seven in a row on the road. It will be the second game between these teams in five days. The Mudbugs picked up a 5-2 win in Bossier City on Friday. Both teams then hit the road and picked up victories on Saturday. The RiverKings bounced back with a well played 4-2 win at Wichita while the Mudbugs claimed a 3-2 decision at Tulsa. Tonight's game is the sixth game of the 11 game season series between these clubs with the RiverKings holding a 3-1-1 advantage through the first five games. Following tonight's game, the RiverKings head north for a big two game weekend series at Youngstown. The RiverKings hold a four point lead on the Steelhounds entering tonight's action. The Steelhounds are idle until Friday's game with the RiverKings.

COMING UP

Friday, December 29

Memphis RiverKings (17-5-3, 37 pts, 1st NE Div) @ Youngstown Steelhounds (14-7-5, 33 pts, 2nd NE Div) 6:05 CST

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: riverkings.com

TV: chltv.com

Saturday, December 30

Memphis RiverKings (17-5-3, 37 pts, 1st NE Div) @ Youngstown Steelhounds (14-7-5, 33 pts, 2nd NE Div) 6:05 CST

Radio: Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560)

Webcast: riverkings.com

TV: chltv.com

########################

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: Sunday, January 7 --- Post Game Skate with Players; Tuesday, January 9 --- WMC TV Channel 5 CheerStix to first 1,500 fans; Friday, January 12 --- Cellular South Darrell Stoddard Mini Bobbleheads to first 1,500 fans; Post Game Skate; Friday, January 19 --- RiverKings Drawsting Backpacks 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.

 

[truebluefan]

Cotton Kings Game Night Preview

12/26/06 - ODESSA JACKALOPES (11-10-3) @ LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS (11-11-2) -

7:05 PM CITY BANK COLISEUM

BOXING DAY

Fitting it is "Boxing Day" today, as the Southwest Division rival Lubbock Cotton Kings and Odessa Jackalopes clash this evening at City Bank Coliseum. Lubbock seeks to end a two-game winless streak and to get back atop the Southwest Division since they fell from the division lead with their 5-1 loss Saturday night to Amarillo. Odessa finds themselves co-leading the division with New Mexico, as they are each a standing-point ahead of the Kings. The Jackalopes have won three of their last five games (3-2-1) and have received standing points in four of the five. Tonight marks the first time in December the Kings have played consecutive home games.

THE SERIES

The Odessa Jackalopes and Lubbock Cotton Kings face off for just the second time in Lubbock this season and for the 75th meeting all-time. Odessa, who owns the all-time regular season series with a 49-20-5 record, is 3-0-1 this season against the Kings. Lubbock is 25-44-5 all-time against Odessa and former King Jan Melichercik is the Kings all-time leader against the Jacks with 43 points (16g, 27a). Lubbock's Bobby Brown (2g,3a), Kyle Nosan (1g,4a) and Trevor Weisgerber (2g,3a) each lead the Kings in this season's series with five points, while Mike Rutter (2g,7a) and Steve Shrum (4g,5a) each lead the Jackalopes this season against Lubbock with nine points.

THE LAST TIME

12/9/06 - Mike Ramsay and Scott Hillman each combined for a pair of goals, while Derek Dolson registered his forth career shutout as the Odessa Jackalopes picked up a 6-0 win over the Kings at the Ector County Coliseum.

In a physical first period which saw a pair of fights and 30 combined shots on goal, the Odessa Jackalopes jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Scott Hillman grabbed his first goal of the season on a 5-on-3 power play advantage with a slap shot from the point that deflected off the right leg pad of Kyle Stanton and into the net 9:39 into the period. Odessa connected again 2:24 later with crisp passing between Mike Ramsay and Mike Rutter leading to Ramsay's eighth goal on the year. Odessa had a 15-2 shots on goal advantage until the Kings closed the period out-shooting the Jacks' 11-2.

The second period did not feature any scoring but the physical play continued. Teams combined for 46 penalty minutes in the second period, with 33 minutes whistled against the Jackalopes. Twenty-four of the minutes tacked onto Jeff Ewasko, who tried to charge into the Kings penalty box towards Corey Rutt and then threw his helmet across the ice.

Things got out of hand in the third period as the Jackalopes combined for four goals following a flurry of penalties two minutes into the period that led to Craig Minard and Chris Barth receiving the gate. The Jacks four goals were tallied by Hillman on another 5-on-3 power play goal, Ramsay, Brian Swiniarski and Mike Rutter.

The Jacks' out-shot the Kings 46-36 in the game and went 2 for 1 on the power play (both PP goals on two-man advantages), while the Kings went 0 for 4. Kings head coach Chris Dashney received 14 minutes worth of penalties, including a game misconduct handed by Tom Sterns. Teams combined for 143 penalties minutes, with Lubbock whistled for a season high 90 minutes.

ROSTER CHANGES

No roster moves have been made by either club as of press time for tonight's game.

STANDINGS

Kings - 24 points, tied-3rd place, 1 point back, Southwest Division.

Jackalopes - 25 points, tied-1st place, Southwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS

Kings - Points: 24 Simon Watson, Goals: 14 Simon Watson, Assists: 12 Kyle Nosan/Trevor Weisgerber, Penalty Minutes: 87 Paul McBrien.

Jackalopes - Points: 29 Mike Rutter, Goals: 14 Steve Shrum, Assists: 20 Mike Rutter/ Scott Hillman, Penalty Minutes: 144 Jeff Ewasko.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kings - Power play: 13.4% 13th, Penalty killing: 87.6% 3rd.

Jackalopes - Power play: 20.3% 5th, Penalty killing: 84.9% 4th.

GOALTENDERS

Kings - J.F. Perras (5-5-1, 1 SO, 2.71), Kyle Stanton (6-6-1, 1 SO, 3.37).

Jackalopes - Mike Gorman (7-6-2, 0 SO, 3.02), Derek Dolson (4-4-1, 2 SO, 2.14).

WHAT'S NEXT

Lubbock - Friday, December 29th

7:05 PM vs. Corpus Christi Rayz City Bank Coliseum

Odessa - Friday, December 29th

7:00 PM vs. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Ector County Coliseum

 

[truebluefan]

SteelHounds Weekly Report

Hounds Take the Series versus the Frozen Rats with Wings

The SteelHounds finished their three-games-in-three-nights set with the Austin Ice Bats just before Christmas and ended up taking four out of six points. The Hounds started with a defensive battle between the two netminders as David Currie and Miguel Beaudry put on a clinic on Thursday night. The Hounds won 2-1 in a shootout with John Wheaton scoring in the third period and Jeff Christian scoring in the shootout earning the game winner. On Friday, the SteelHounds played well and outshot the Ice Bats 35-17 but Austin back-up goaltender Kevin Couture was outstanding stopping all but a Christian power play goal. On Saturday, the Hounds rebounded with rookie goaltender Brad Roberts earning his sixth win in nine starts and Chris Richards tallying two goals. Christian continued his hot play tying a franchise record with four helpers.

What's on Tap - First Place on the Line Versus RiverKings

What a way to close out 2006 as the Hounds and the Memphis RiverKings battle twice this week in what could be a battle for the top spot in the Northeast Division. The Kings currently hold a four-point advantage over the Hounds and play on Tuesday at Bossier-Shreveport (a chance to push up to as much as a six-point advantage). Regardless of whether the SteelHounds can catch Memphis or not, the four points on the line Dec. 29 & Dec. 30 are still about as critical as a two-game series in late December can be. Thus far this season, the teams have met four times with Youngstown going 2-1-1 (last year the Hounds were 1-7-1 versus Memphis). Two of the four games have gone to a shootout with each team winning once and all four games have been played on the road for the Hounds. Jeff Christian leads the way with 10 points (4-6=10) and Chris Richards has nine points (4-5=9) in the four games to date. Former RiverKings defenseman Stephen Margeson leads the way with a +5 and has a goal and an assist. The games have been physical with the teams combining for 312 PIM's in the four games (78 minutes/game). A Hounds franchise record and 2006-07 CHL season-high 216 minutes (14 fighting majors) occurred on Oct. 21 in a 4-2 Youngstown win.

Note: Memphis is 10-1-3 in one-goal games and are an impressive 6-2-0 on the road this year.

The Christian Coalition Makes a Statement in December

Hounds Captain Jeff Christian is having a "December to Remember" making a case for CHL Player of the Month. He has notched a point in every game thus far in the Christmas month totaling eight goals with 17 assists and a +12. His current 13-game point streak (10-19=29) is the longest this season in the CHL. In comparison to last year's 107-point season, the Canfield, Ohio resident had 19 points (8-11=19) and was a -13 in December of 2005. The First Team CHL All-Star still has two games remaining in the month and could reach the 50-point plateau needing just one point this weekend versus Memphis. Overall this season, Christian has 49 points (16-33=49) which leads the CHL by three points over teammate Chris Richards (16-30=46).

Power Play Still Lacking That Esdale Electricity

The SteelHounds have made some improvements with the power play but are still falling quickly ranking 11th in the CHL with a 15.1% success rate. Their current slump has them 12 for their last 117 (10%) dating back to Nov. 18. Prior to that, the team was 22 for their previous 108 (20%). The absence of Paul Esdale from the line-up has made a huge impact as the Hounds are just 4 for 50 (8%) with him missing from the point. Esdale has missed seven games due to various injuries. Jeff Christian (nine PP goals) and Chris Richards (eight PP goals) lead the way with the man-advantage.

Injury Note: Paul Esdale missed all three games versus Austin and has missed seven of the last 11 games with various injuries but is expected to be at 100% when the Hounds face the RiverKings this weekend. Esdale is among the top scoring defensemen in the CHL despite missing so much time. He currently has six goals and 17 assists for 23 points with a +8. After a brief four-game pointless streak (Nov. 18-25) the Edmonton native has notched four assists in his last four games.

By the Numbers (through Dec. 25)

The SteelHounds are scattered throughout the league leaders in many categories both as a team and individually:

Team

33 points - 4th in the CHL

95 goals - 2nd in the CHL

261 - 1st in player points

17 road points - 3rd in the CHL

7 SHG's - tied for 3rd in the CHL

30 1st period goals - 3rd in the CHL

40 2nd period goals - 2nd in the CHL

3.65 goals/game - 3rd in CHL

27.15 shots allowed/game - 1st in the CHL

Individual

Jeff Christian- 49 points (1st), 9 PPG's (3rd), 33 assists (1st), 16 goals (t-3rd), +18 (2nd), 115 shots (5th)

Chris Richards- 46 points (2nd), 30 assists (2nd), +17 (3rd), 16 goals (t-3rd), 120 shots (2nd)

Paul Esdale- 23 points (7th among d-men), 6 goals (t-3rd among d-men)

Jeff Alcombrack- 20 points (t-11th among d-men)

Elvis Continues to Work Harder now than when he was Alive! The SteelHounds will be wearing special Elvis Jerseys on December 29th and December 30th when the Hounds take on the Memphis RiverKings. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game on Saturday.

Bring Some Friends; Save Some $$$!!!

Bring your group out for a fun night with the SteelHounds. Discounted group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Groups receive great benefits such as; P.A. recognition and a SteelHounds prize pack. Call (330) 747-PUCK to book your group today!!

Some Useless Facts

- Kelly Sickavish scored his first goal of the season in his 26th game...last year he scored his first goal in his 40th game of the season and finished the year with two goals.

- The Hounds were outshot on Saturday night for just the fifth time this season...they are 3-1-1 when this happens.

- Jeff Alcombrack and Kelly Sickavish both scored goals on Saturday marking the first time since Nov. 17 that the Hounds have had two goals from defensemen in a game and just the fourth time this season.

- The Hounds are 2 for 20 (10%) on the PP on current home stand and have stopped 12 of 13 (92%).

- Chris Shaffer has 11 points on the road and just five points at home.

- Tab Lardner has 10 points on the road and just two points at home.

- Brad Roberts is 4-0 at the Chevrolet Centre.

- Stephen Margeson has six points at home and two points on the road.

- SteelHounds record by month: 4-0 in Oct., 4-4-4 in Nov. and 6-3-1 in Dec. (two games remaining)

 

[truebluefan]

Cotton Kings Weekly Notes

KINGS HIT CHRISTMAS HEART-BREAK

The Lubbock Cotton Kings have been atop the Southwest Division most of the season, but the recent struggles finally caught up to them as they found themselves out of first place as they woke up Christmas morning. The Kings have struggled with a 2-7-2 record in December and have lost 8 of their last 11 games. The rest of the division has not fared much better except New Mexico, who has not lost a regulation game since November 24th. The combination of inconsistent play around the division and New Mexico's hot play has led to a shakeup that shuffled teams in the standings. Saturday night, the Cotton Kings lost to Amarillo 5-1 and fell from first place to a third place tie with Amarillo in the division. New Mexico and Odessa each leaped into a first place tie, while Arizona fell from second to fifth place. Two standing points still separates first place from fifth place in the Southwest and Lubbock stands just a point out of the top spot (every team in the Southern Conference is at least .500 or better). This week, Lubbock has a full week, hosting Odessa Tuesday and Corpus Christi Friday before returning to the road Friday to face Bossier-Shreveport and completing the week back home to host Odessa Sunday.

WHERE IS NEUMEIER?

One person does not make a team, but that might a hard argument to win if arguing that point to the Kings. On December 1st, Lubbock Cotton Kings defenseman Troy Neumeier went down with an injury, which resulted with Neumeier being placed on the 45-Day Injured Reserve list. The Kings were 9-4-1 heading into that game with Neumeier in the line-up, but since his absence, the Kings have struggled without his defensive play and on-ice leadership with a 2-6-2 record. He has not been the only d-man out of the line-up in December. Stacey Bauman missed four games and Paul McBrien and John Miller have each missed a game during the month (Lubbock is 2-4-0 with Bauman, McBrien and Miller out of the line-up).

WAL-MART AUTOGRAPH TOUR STOP

The Cotton Kings Autograph Tour presented by Wal-mart and Coca-Cola continues this Thursday. Several members of the Cotton Kings will be at the South Loop 289 Wal-Mart signing autographs Thursday from 5-7PM. Royal Reward Card holders are encouraged to bring their cards to receive points. For additional information, contact the Kings offices at 747-7825.

IT HAS BEEN A WHILE

Back and forth travel has been the Kings way of life recently, but now, for a short period of time, they will be able to settle down at home with a series of home games. Lubbock is set for a middle game of a three-game home stand Tuesday night and will complete the homestand Friday. Lubbock has not played consecutive home games since November 11 and 16th. Lubbock is 4-2-0 in multi-game homestands this season heading into Tuesday.

OFFENSIVE HALT

The recent offensive struggles have really hit the Kings hard. Lubbock had led the Southern Conference in goals per game through the first ten games of the season, but their recent play has knocked their goals per game down to 2.88 goals per game, which is tied for 12th in the CHL and the lowest in the Southwest Division. Lubbock had scored at least four goals in a game eight times through November, but they have not scored four goals in a game in their last ten games (averaging 1.6 goals per game in December). The Kings are 11-1-1 this season when tallying at least three goals in a game.

THE WIENERSCHNITZEL TOP DOG OF THE WEEK

Each week a member of the Cotton Kings is selected as the "Wienerschnitzel Top Dog of the Week" for their performance in the previous week's games, and this week's recipient for their effort last week is forward Mike Carter. The Cambridge, Ontario native led all Kings scorers during the week with a goal and an assist for two points. He produced the two points in Lubbock's 6-2 loss at New Mexico on Friday. Carter ranks second on the squad in points for December with 5 (2g,3a), and he leads the Kings overall this season with a +3 plus/minus.

THIS WEEK'S "INSIDE THE NUMBERS"

6 - Major Penalties - Friday night's contest at New Mexico contained six fights, with five in the third period alone, to produce a season high in major penalties with 6..

14 - Goals - Lubbock's Simon Watson continues to lead all rookies with 14 goals this season.

3 - Assists - Cotton Kings goaltender J.F. Perras grabbed his third assist of the season Friday and leads all CHL goaltenders in points. He is one point shy of the team's single-season record for points by a goaltender (Mike Brusseau 02/03).

WEEK IN REVIEW

Dec. 22 @ New Mexico L 2-6 Top Star: NMX - Mike Falk (2G,1A, 3pts.)

Dec. 23 vs. Amarillo L 1-5 Top Star: AMA - Bill Vandermeer (5 assists)

WEEK AHEAD

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: Wed - Thur: 9 - 11AM, Fri: 10-11 AM

Tue. Dec. 26 7:05 pm vs. Odessa Jackalopes

Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Odessa Jackalopes and Lubbock Cotton Kings face off for just the second time in Lubbock this season and for the 75th meeting all-time. Odessa, who owns the all-time regular season series with a 49-20-5 record, is 3-0-1 this season against the Kings. Lubbock is 25-44-5 all-time against Odessa and former King Jan Melichercik is the Kings all-time leader against the Jacks with 43 points (16g, 27a). Lubbock's Bobby Brown (2g,3a), Kyle Nosan (1g,4a) and Trevor Weisgerber (2g,3a) each lead the Kings in this season's series with five points, while Mike Rutter (2g,7a) and Steve Shrum (4g,5a) each lead the Jackalopes this season against Lubbock with nine points.

Fri. Dec. 29 7:05 pm vs. Corpus Christi Rayz

Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Cotton Kings host the Corpus Christi Rayz for the first of two visits to the Hub City for the Rayz and the second overall meeting of the season. It will be the 19th all-time meeting and the Rayz lead the season series 1-0-0 (Lubbock is 0-0-1 in the series this season) after a 3-2 shootout win over Lubbock on December 15th. The all-time series is led by Lubbock with a dominate 14-2-2 record against Corpus Christi's 4-11-3 mark in the series. Former Kings forward Jan Melichercik leads the all-time series with 15 points (5g,10a), while the Rayz all-time series leader is former Corpus Christi member Geoff Bumstead, who had 6 assists.

Sat. Dec. 30 7:05 pm @ Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs

Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Lubbock Cotton Kings wouldn't have a week complete without boarding the "iron lung" and this week's lone road trip is a venture to Bossier City, Louisiana to face the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. The meeting is the second of two in Bossier City and the third and final meeting of the season. The series is even this season at 1-1-0. Lubbock's all-time record against the Mudbugs in regular season play is 5-8-0. This season's offensive leader in the series is Lubbock's Mike Carter, who has 3 assists. The 'Bugs are led this season in the series by Dan Wildfong's 2 assists. Chad Spurr of the Mudbugs is the series all-time leading scorer with 11 points off 3 goals and 8 assists, while the Kings are led by former King Jan Melichercik, who had a goal and 7 assists for 8 points.

Sun. Dec. 31 5:05 pm vs. Odessa Jackalopes

Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: CHLTV.COM

Notes: The Cotton Kings close out the weekend and the calendar year with a tilt against the Odessa Jackalopes for the sixth meeting of the season between the two teams and the 76th meeting all-time. Note the special 5:05 PM face-off.