CHL Shots from the Point on the Presidents Cup Final

3 times a week during the playoffs. The Central Hockey League does a segment called "Shots from the Point" to provide news and notes, quick-hits and briefs on the Playoffs. Here's today's edition which will get you ready for the 3 Games in Allen which begin tonight as the battle for the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship continues.

From The Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

The Rapid City Rush and Allen Americans will met in Game 3 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Championship Series with the series tied at 1-1. Tonight mark's the first of three straight games at the Allen Event Center where the Americans are 5-2 during the post-season.

Game's 4 & 5 are scheduled for Friday & Saturday Night at the Allen Event Center. Game 3 has not been much of an indicator in the past as the team that has won Game 3 has won either the CHL or the WPHL Championship 13 of 21 times in league history. The Game 3 winner has won the series in each of the past two seasons and in three of the last 4.


Presidents Cup Championship Update:

Game 1, 4/23: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 1
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1269586

Game 1 Story: http://centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/index.html?article_id=4603


Game 2, 4/24: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 5 (OT)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1269587

Game 2 Story: http://centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/index.html?article_id=4605


Game 3, 4/28: @ Allen 7:30 PM

Game 4, 4/30: @ Allen 7:30 PM

Game 5, 5/1: @ Allen 7:30 PM

Game 6, 5/4: @ Rapid City 6:35 PM MDT*

Game 7, 5/7: @ Rapid City 7:05 PM MDT*

*If Necessary

Game 1: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 1

Allen goaltender Chris Whitley made 48 saves and the Americans scored four times in the 2nd period to earn the Game 1 win. Nino Musitelli led the way offensively scored a pair of goals in the win.

Game 2: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 5 (OT)

Rapid City Defensemen Dave Grimson scored the game tying goal with less then a minute remaining and Blane Jarvis scored his first professional OT Game Winner as the Rush evened the Series. Allen Chris Whitley's made 52 saves in the losing effort. Brendon Hodge and Les Reaney each had three helpers for the Rush.


CHL TV

Catch all of the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Playoffs live on CHL-TV. Individual Live Games and archives are available as well as the packages that allow you purchase a series at a time. Throughout the post-season, the CHL has partnered with Bieler Bros. Records (www.bilerbros.com) giving each Live Game or archive purchase a free download from Bieler Bros. Records Artists and for every playoff package, fans receive a free Bieler Bros. Record CD. Visit http://chltv.insinc.com for more info.


Close Calls

The Americans will play each of the next three games on home ice where they are 5-2 during the post-season. Although they have an impressive home record, the Americans have only outscored the opposition 27-21 in their seven playoff contests. The line of Justin Bowers, Bruce Graham, Nino Musitelli have combined for 39 points (14G 25A) with a +22 in the seven home games so far.


Comfy in Allen

The Rapid City Rush have lost home-ice advantage but they have good memories in their only previous visit to the Allen Event Center. On Friday, January 15, the Rush dismantled the Americans 6-1 handing them one of the biggest losses of the season on home ice during the regular season. Les Reaney scored a pair of goals and Scott Wray and had a goal and two assists. Danny Battochio stopped 33 of 34 shots earning the win.


Series Quick Hits

• Nino Musitelli leads all skaters with 12 goals in the post-season (CHL Playoff Record is 17). He is currently on a four game goal scoring streak with five goals over that time.
• Rapid City's OT Win on Saturday's moves their OT Record in the Post-Season to 4-0. Conversely, the Americans are 0-3 in playoff games this post-season.
• Allen's goaltender Chris Whitley has made 100 saves on 106 shots in the two games combined so far versus Rapid City. The rookie stopped 48 shots in Game 1 and 52 in Game 2. Whitley is 9-7 in the playoffs so far and with his next appearance, he will tie the CHL record for most appearances by a goaltender in the playoffs (Chad Erickson of San Angelo and Steven Plouffe of Ft. Worth). Whitley is within reach as well of breaking Erickson's records for most minutes played and saves in a playoff season.
• The imporantance of drawing first blood is magnified with the Rush and the Americans as the team strikes first typically wins the game. So far in the playoffs, the Rush and the Americans are a combined 14-3 when scoring first and through the first two games of the Finals, the team that scored first won the game.