RG Flath's Hat Trick edges out the Brahmas

In addiditon to a hat trick that helped the Thunder edge out the Texas Brahmas in a very exciting game at the NYTEX Sports Center last night for not only to hand the Brahmas their 4th straight loss but also the Thunder clinching the CHL Presidents Cup which will give them home ice advantage throughout the entire CHL Playoffs when they get underway next week.

In addition to Flath's Hat trick, several other Thunder Players which included 2 goals from Chris Chappell and 3 assists from Jarred Mohr assisting on goals by both Flath & Chappell in just 27 seconds to to reverse a 1-0 Brahmas Lead into a 2-1 lead midway through the 1st period.

This was despite a huge 2nd period for the Brahmas as 2 goals by Adam Hogg which puts him to 22 goals on the season as well Sy Nutkevitch which saw him scored his 2nd goal in his 4 games since he made his debut back on March 16 against the Allen Americans where he has averaged a point a game in his short time with the Brahmas so far where he has 4 points (2G 2A) so far.

The Brahmas will now have their final 3-in-3 stretch of the regular season which starts on Friday where they will play a desperate Tulsa Oilers at the BOK Center where that could be the Oilers' last chance of having any hope of keeping up with the Rio Grande Valley Bees to in the Turner Conference Playoff Race.

Saturday will be a Playoff Preview as the Brahmas & Americans play the final game of the regular season schedule before the CHL Turner Conference Semifinals Series gets going next week at the Allen Event Center. Then Sunday will finish the regular season with the Fan Appreacation Day against the Evansville Ice Men at 4:00 PM.

Wichita Thunder 6  Texas Brahmas 5  (3-1, 2-3, 1-1)

Texas Brahmas Post-Game Press Release

Here's the Central Hockey League Schedule for the Final Few Days of the Season.

3/21

Allen Americans VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

3/23

Allen Americans VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

3/24

Tulsa Oilers VS. Missouri Mavericks  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

3/25

Evansville Ice Men VS. Texas Brahmas  4:00 PM

Missouri Mavericks VS. Tulsa Oilers  4:05 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Allen Americans  5:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RGV Killer Bees  6:00 PM

From North Richland Hills, Texas: The Brahmas lost their fourth Tuesday Night 6-5 at the hands of the Wichita Thunder.

The Brahmas capitalized on the first power play of the night and grabbed the early lead at the 1:47 mark of the first period when Brendon Hodge cleaned up a rebound in front of the Thunder for his 13th goal of the season. The rest of the first period however, belonged to Wichita. Chris Chappell scored two of the three goals in the opening frame for the Thunder, who forced Brahmas netminder Ken Carroll out of the game after just 17:31 in net. RG Flath added the other score.

As did the first period, the second period featured a lot of scoring. Brahmas captain Adam Hogg netted two goals and Sy Nutkevitch scored his second goal in only gour games with the team. Hogg's second goal of the period - coming at the 12:16 mark - evened the score at four goals apiece. But RG Flath also scored twice in the period, lifting the Thunder to a 5-4 lead heading into the third period.

At the 13:44, Alex Bourrett extended the Thunder Lead to 6-4 on his 19th goal of the season and his fifth in six games against the Brahmas. With 35 seconds remaining in regulation and the goaltender pulled, Dan Nichols added a goal to bring the score to 6-5, but that would be the final score.

Both teams converted on two power plays, the Brahmas on eight opportunities and the Thunder on three.

Mark Guggenberger made 17 saves on 20 shots in relief of Ken Carroll. Adam Russo picks up the victory for Wichita, making 21 saves on 26 shots in the process.

The Brahmas play twice on the road (Friday, March 23 in Tulsa and Saturday, March 24 in Allen) before returning to NYTEX Sports Center for the regular season home game of the season.

For ticket information, call 817-336-4423 or visit the Texas Brahmas Website. The NYTEX Sports Center offers speedy and reliable Wi-FI provided by Great Auk Wireless. Also, visit ZuRoma at the NYTEX Sports Center and Keller Locations. All Brahmas away games are ZuRoma through CHL TV. 



Allen losses again against Quad City, 3-2

The Americans blew another chance to take advantage of their games in hand as they continue to get away from the Texas Brahmas in the race for 2nd Place and Home Ice Advantage in a possible 1st Round Series, 3-2, against the Quad City Mallards lat night in the 1st night of a 2 game set against the Mallards who are battling with the Rapid City Rush & Missouri Mavericks for the final 2 playoff spots in Turner Conference with basically 10 games left in the season.

This was one of Allen's 3 games in hand over the final 3 weeks and it could have given them a chance to continue to separate themselves from the Texas Brahmas as they look to protect 2nd Place as the Wichita Thunder are close to clinching the top Seed in the Berry Conference and will be looking to hold off the Ft. Wayne Komets & Evansville IceMen for Home Ice Throughout the entire playoffs as well.

One of the big things that is hurting the Americans is the absence of the team's leading scorer Bruce Graham who was injured in the February 4th Game against the Tulsa Oilers. His injury has made him that much more valuable as he was named a Finalist for the CHL MVP this season. Since then, the team has struggled to score most nights as they have been held to 2 goals or less in 8 of the last 12 games as the Brahmas have gotten hot as well behind the great goaltending of Mark Guggenberger. Both the Brahmas & Americans still have 4 head-to-head games coming up (Including a 3-in-3 night stretch that could very well decide who will finish in 2nd Place).

Both Allen & Quad City will meet again tomorrow night at the Allen Event Center as the game will start at 7:05 PM. Next up for the Brahmas on the other hand will be on Friday Night, March 9 when the Brahmas face the Missouri Mavericks. A Brahmas win and an Americans loss on Thursday will put the Brahmas back in 2nd Place in the Berry Conference.

Press Release from the Allen Americans

Quad City Mallards 3  Allen Americans 2  (2-0, 1-0, 0-2)

From Allen, Texas: The Quad City Mallards scored two first period goals, on their way to a 3-2 victory Tuesday Night at the Allen Event Center. The Mallards opened the scoring in the first period when Mallards Forward Micky Lang fired one from just inside the blue line that hit the arm of Americans netminder Rejean Beauchemin and trickled behind him.

Beauchemin tried to knock the puck away with his stick but pushed it across the line and Mallards were on top by a score of 1-0. Fifteen seconds later it was Lang again, this time on a feed from CHL All Star Brendon Marino from the right face-off circle. Lang fired a quick shot that beat Beauchemin to the glove side and the Mallards were on top by a score of 2-0. Allen out shot Quad City 7-5 in the opening period.

The Mallards added to their lead in the second despite being out shot 17-13 through two periods and 10-8 in that second period, as Quad City forward Jason Kostadine followed up a rebound in front of the Allen net putting one top-shelf shot on the back-hand to give Quad city a 3-0 cushion. The Americans had several chances in that second period but former Americans netminder David McKee turned away shot after shot keeping the Americans off the scoreboard from 40 minutes.

In the third, the Americans finally solved McKee, as Colton Yellow Horn found Jim McKenzie in front of the Allen net to make it a 3-1 game. McKenzie's 19th of the season and his third goal in his last three games. The Americans cut the lead to one goal at the 10:52 mark on the power play when Dylan King let one rip from the right side beating McKee and the Americans were back in it. However, a late charge by Allen would fall just a little short, as McKee would not allow the tying goal despite Allen Pressure, and the Mallards would win the game 3-2 in the first ever meeting between the two clubs. The Americans host Quad City on Thursday Night at 7:05 PM at the Allen Event Center

Mark Guggenberger named CHL 3rd Star of the Month

After an impressive month where the Brahmas Goalie Mark Guggenberger has began to take over the Team's net after having a bit of a up-and-down season prior to February where the Brahmas were in the battle with Tulsa & RGV for the 3rd, 4th & 5th Spots in the Berry Conference Playoff Race. Now Guggenberger has begun to takeover the net and has been the biggest reason why the Brahmas have run away with the #3 Seed and are now just 1 Point back of Allen for 2nd Place which would get them first round Home Ice in the CHL Playoffs at the end of March/first of April.

Of the 11 games left this season, the Brahmas have 4 games left against the Americans including a 3 game weekend from March 16-18 which is the 2nd to last weekend of the regular season and could make the difference in who could be the #2 Seed in the Berry Conference and a possible Berry Conference Semifinal Preview with both Wichita and the Rio Grande Valley/Tulsa Battle having big gaps in the Conference.

With the playoffs now just under a month away, he will have to raise his game even more as the Brahmas have continued to score the 2nd fewest goals this season with 142 goals scored in 55 games this season. Only the Dayton Gems have scored fewer goals with 139 this season with 11 games left in the regular season.

The main playoff battle for the 2nd Seed and a possible 1st Round Home Ice could come in the weekend of March 16th through 18th when the Brahmas & Americans have a 3 game series that weekend (3/16-17 in Allen, 3/18 in NRH). Their is also a game on March 24th (The night before the end of the regular season) in Allen to wrap up the regular season series.

His best showing in February came the week of February where he had 3 straight shutouts against Allen (on 2/14), Dayton (on 2/15) and Rio Grande Valley (on 2/17) where that was part of a streak where he gave up 1 goal or less that lasted 6 straight games. He's won 9 of his last 10 starts and was also named the Goalie of the Week for the week ending on February 19th.

Here's the CHL Press Release

From the CHL Staff: Wichita Thunder Forward Matt Robinson, Evansville IceMen forward Todd Robinson and Texas Brahmas Goalie Mark Guggenberger have been named the 'Oakley Three Stars for the month of February 2012.

For winning the 'Oakley Three Star Player of the Month, Matt Robinson will receive a special gift from Oakley. Learn more about Oakley Products at www.oakley.com

Players are awarded five points for first star recognition, three points for a second star nod and a single point for being named the third star of the game. Keep up with the season standings and quest to be the Oakley Three Stars Player of the Year at www.centralhockeyleague.com

1st Star: Matt Robinson, F, Wichita Thunder

Robinson finished the month with 12 goals with five of them serving as game winners and 18 points. He was named first star four times and the second star three times, good for 29 points. The Surrey, B.C. native has 29 goals and 21 assists on the season.

2nd Star: Todd Robinson, F, Evansville IceMen

Robinson recorded a point in every game during the month of February which serves as the longest point of the CHL this season (15 Games), During the month, the Trail, B.C. Native was named the first star four times, the second star twice and third star once accounting for 27 points. On the Season, Robinson leads the league with 80 points (21G 59A)

3rd Star, Mark Guggenberger, G, Texas Brahmas

Guggenberger was the top goaltender during the month posting a 9-1-1 record with three shutouts and a 1.21 GAA. The Richfield, Minnesota native was the first star four times and third star twice, good for 22 points. Guggenberger leads the league with a 1.82 GAA and a .930 SV%.

Central Hockey League Week Ahead for 2/22-26

Despite seeing both the Allen Americans going to the Shootout for the 4th time in the last 6 games. It was the Brahmas who the shootout and the game for the 2nd time in 11 days and the 3rd straight time as the Brahmas have owned the Americans as of late by pulling off their 3rd straight victory over the Rivals from Colin County in a 2-1 game where Mark Guggenberger had another outstanding performance by making 26 of 27 saves to earn his 7th straight win including giving up a goal or less in 6 of those games that earned him the CHL Goalie of the Week for the week of February 13-19.

Tulsa also had their game go to Overtime that saw them lost 2-1 to Ft. Wayne that saw their gap between them and 5th Place Rio Grande Valley grow to 5 points with 2 games in hand (Tulsa with 17 GR, RGV with 15 GR) this season.

As for the rest of the week, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees has a chance to climb back in the race as they sit 5 points back with 15 games left in the regular season as they will face South Texas Rival Laredo Bucks and then a pair of games against the Turner Conference Bottom Feeder Bloomington Blaze on Friday & Saturday and hope that Guggenberger and the Rock Hard Defense will be playing the Brahmas for a 3 game weekend starting in Tulsa on Friday.

Then coming back to Dallas to play on Saturday & Sunday as the Killer Bees have one of their better chances to close the gap with Tulsa for the fourth & final playoff spot in the Berry Conference.

With the entire league coming down to the final 15 games. We could have a battle possibly brewing for the 2nd spot as many thought the Americans & Thunder would comfortably have 1st Round Home Ice while battling for home ice advantage in the Southern Conference & taking on the Evansville Ice Men & Ft. Wayne Komets for home ice throughout the entire playoffs.

However, with the Brahmas winning 7 in a row and Mark Guggenberger starting to heat up in goal, it could have the Americans sweating (Not heavily yet) about a possible battle between the DFW Rivals for 1st Round Home Ice. One big advantage for the Americans is that Allen has 2 games in hand where they can easily extend & protect their lead.

Texas will be looking to bank on a 6 game homestand that will begin Saturday Night with a pair of games against the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday & Sunday. They will also play a pair of games against Rio Grande Valley as well as Missouri & Laredo to finish their final extended homestand of the regular season.

2/21

Ft. Wayne Komets 2  Tulsa Oilers 1  (OT) (1-0, 0-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Texas Brahmas 2  Allen Americans 1  (SO) (0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0)

2/22

RGV Killer Bees 8  Laredo Bucks 2  (1-0, 4-2, 3-0)

2/24

Laredo Bucks VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Bloomington Blaze VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

2/25

Allen Americans VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Bloomington Blaze VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Texas Brahmas  7:45 PM

2/26

Bloomington Blaze VS. Laredo Bucks  4:00 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Texas Brahmas  5:30 PM



Weekly Southwest Hockey Schedule for 2/13-20

Here's a look at this week's Weekly Hockey Schedule as the Tier 1 & Tier 2 State Champions have now been crowned and are now looking forward to prepare for Nationals which will be taking place in Late March & Early April for the Tier 2 Teams. Tier 1 Teams on the other hand will have to get through Rocky Mountain Regional Tournament from March 1-4 in Denver with the winners clinching a spot in Nationals which will be in Buffalo, N.Y. for the Tier 1 Teams this season.

This week will be crucial for the Stars as the schedule begins to toughen up as the team currently sits in 11th Place and are still 3 points back of 8th Place Phoenix and will have a chance to catch up as they will play the Calgary Flames on Thursday & the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday with a chance to make up some ground in the playoffs. But first, it's a very tough matchup against the Detroit Red Wings where they won a NHL Record Tying 20 Home Games in a row where they haven't lost since November 1st in a 2-1 OT Loss to the Minnesota Wild when the Wild were on they sup rising start earlier in the season, where, like the Stars have fallen back in the standings recently.

After their critical games against Phoenix, Calgary & Detroit the Stars will finish the week on Sunday Night against the Nashville Predators who are in 5th Place in the West in which the Central Division has been the Group of Death right now where Detroit is leading the Conference with 78 points, while even the Predators and Blues sit in 2nd & 3rd in the Central Division (4th & 5th Conference) with 75 & 70 points respectively in their Conference. If the Regular Season ended today, the Nashville Predators & St. Louis Blues would play each other it would most likely be a very exciting 1st Round Playoff Series.

The Aeros & Rampage both continue their mammoth road trips where both teams won't return home till March (The Aeros on 3/10 & Rampage on 3/3). Houston continues to be in a solid 4th Place, but a struggling Abbotsford Heat team has allowed the Chicago Wolves to overtake them for 5th Place as the Wolves will look to catch up on the Aeros as they would currently hold down the final home ice birth for the Conference Quarterfinals right now.

The Aeros will wrap up their Mid-Western Section of their Road Trip after beating the Grand Rapids Griffins in back-to-back games 5-1 & 5-4 back on 2/10-11 last weekend. Houston will next head to Wisconsin to play the Milwaukee Admirals where they will look revenge after losing 2-1 back on February 5th.

After a game in Wisconsin, the Aeros head to B.C. to take on the Abbotsford Heat for a pair of games on 2/17-18 as they will look to continue the Heat's Woes as they have lost 9 of their last 11 dating back to a January 15th loss in Oklahoma City near the end of their Southwestern Road Trip. Since then, the Heat have fallen from 5th to 7th Place in the Western Conference and are of danger of falling out of the Western Conference Playoff picture as the gap from 7th Place Abbotsford to 11th Place Milwaukee is just 4 points right now as they expecting to see a very desperate Heat Team.

Since winning 7 in a row back in January, the Rampage have used that as a spring board as they continue to overcome their slow start to the season as they have jumped to 6th Place out West after winning 2 of 3 last weekend against the Toronto Marlies & Rochester Americans before ending the weekend with a 7-4 loss to Grand Rapids. This weekend will see the Rampage stay closer to home with a 3 game in 3 night stretch with a Friday/Saturday Set against the last place Texas Stars, then a trip north of the Red River to play the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons Sunday Afternoon.

Texas will wrap up their short road trip after losses to Rochester & Hamilton will look to end on a positive note against the Lake Erie Monsters Wednesday Morning as the Monsters will be playing in their team's annual School Day Field Trip Game for Cleveland Area Grade School Kids. Following the road trip, the Stars will return home for a Friday/Saturday Series against the San Antonio Rampage.

Oklahoma City will be off until Friday Night as they look to continue to grow their Conference Lead over their Division Rival Houston Aeros & Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers as they have a weekend series against the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday & Saturday followed by a Sunday Afternoon Game against the San Antonio Rampage.

Elsewhere we have a pair of Turner Conference Teams in the Central Hockey League as the Evansville Icemen & Dayton Gems will be coming down South for some important games. Especially for the Ice Men who are battaling with Ft. Wayne for the Turner Conference Lead. The Ice Men will play a pair in Mcallen against the RGV Killer Bees on Tuesday & Wednesday Night, then will head up north to play Tulsa on Friday Night.

While the Gems who for the most part are way out of the Playoff Race, will also play the Oilers on Tuesday Night, then will head South to Dallas to play the Brahmas on Wednesday Night.

Elsewhere in the CHL will have another important series at NYTEX Sports Center as the Killer Bees & Brahmas will play a weekend series as the Killer Bees look to recover after losing a 9-6 game on Sunday Afternoon where at one point, the Killer Bees were able to comeback from 5-1 down in the 2nd period to get the game tied at 5-5 only for the Oilers to pull away in the 3rd period to get a huge win and an important 2 points for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the Berry Conference.

It will be a slow weekend for the Southwest Area Junior Teams as the Texas Tornado & Dallas Snipers will be having the weekend off in the Dallas Area. Also, Amarillo, Odessa & Wichita Falls also have the weekend off this weekend. That leaves just leaves 2 Junior Series in the Southwest this weekend, 1st in the NAHL, it's the Corpus Christi Icerays hosting the last place New Mexico Mustangs for a pair on Thursday & Friday Night.

Despite the Mustangs being in Last Place, it hasn't been a slam dunk as the Ice Rays are just 4-2-0 in 6 games against New Mexico this season and they looking to rebound after losing 4-of-their-last-5 and letting the lead against Wichita Falls slip to 6 points, however, Corpus Christi does have games in hand against all 3 of their playoff challengers in New Mexico, Wichita Falls & Odessa.

The only WSHL Team hosting a series this weekend is the El Paso Rhinos where they will be playing the Texas Jr. Brahmas for the 2nd straight weekend after taking 2-of-3 against the Jr. Brahmas at NYTEX Sports Center last weekend. The Ice Jets will be heading North to Idaho for a series against one of the WSHL's Best Teams in the Idaho Jr. Steelheads.

This is after a two-and-a-half week layoff since the Ice Jets lost to the Jr. Brahmas 4-2 back on February 1st. The Extended layoff has allowed the El Paso Rhinos to build the Division Lead to 12 points in the Mid-West Division Lead thanks to the last 2 Rhinos Series against the Long Beach Bombers & Park City Moose where they were able to destroy both teams in recent weeks.

Finally, with the Road to Nationals getting in high gear, the area AAA Teams are playing their last handful of Showcase & Tournament Events of the Regular Season. Both the Dallas Stars Elites U18AAA & U16AAA Teams will play their Final Tier 1 Elite League Showcase Events of the Season this weekend as the U18AAA will head to Orland Park, Illinois to play the Great Lakes Division, including the league leading Victory Honda Team.

The U16AAA will head West to Scottsdale,Arizona to play the Rocky Mountain Division Teams as well as the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes to finish the Tier 1 Elite League Regular Season.

Both Teams will be using this to prepare for the Rocky Mountain Tier 1 Regional Tournament that will take place in Denver from 3/1-4. The Winners will quailify for the USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championships that will be in Buffalo, N.Y. from March 28 through April 1.

Also playing one of their final Showcase Events of the Season is the Dallas Ice Jets U16AAA where they head to Woodrige, Illinois which will include a game against the highly touted Shattuck St. Mary's Prep School.

Here's the Full Schedule

NHL

2/14: Dallas Stars VS. Detroit Red Wings  6:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/16: Calgary Flames VS. Dallas Stars  7:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/18: Dallas Stars VS. Phoenix Coyotes  7:00 PM (KTXA 21)

2/19: Nashville Predators VS. Dallas Stars  6:00 PM (FSN Southwest)


AHL

2/14: Houston Aeros VS. Milwaukee Admirals  7:00 PM

2/15: Texas Stars VS. Lake Erie Monsters 9:45 AM

2/17

Milwaukee Admirals VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Abbotsford Heat  9:00 PM

2/18

Milwaukee Admirals VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Abbotsford Heat  9:00 PM

2/19: San Antonio Rampage VS. Oklahoma City Barons  4:00 PM


Central Hockey League

2/14

Evansville Ice Men VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:00 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Dayton Gems VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:05 PM

2/15

Dayton Gems VS. Texas Brahmas  7:00 PM

Evansville Ice Men VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:00 PM

2/17

Allen Americans VS. Dayton Gems  6:00 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Evansville Ice Men VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Rapid City Rush  8:05 PM

2/18

Allen Americans VS. Ft. Wayne Komets  6:30 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Rapid City Rush  8:05 PM


North American Hockey League

2/16: New Mexico Mustangs VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

2/17: New Mexico Mustangs VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM


Western States Hockey League

2/17

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

2/18

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

2/19

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. El Paso Rhinos  5:30 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM


U18AAA

2/17

Texas Tornado VS. Indiana Jr. Ice  10:00 AM

Texas Tornado VS. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes  4:00 PM

2/18

Texas Tornado VS. San Jose Jr. Sharks  8:15 AM

Cleveland Barons VS. Dallas Stars Elites  6:15 PM

2/19

Oakland Grizzlies VS. Dallas Stars Elites  12:15 PM

Texas Tornado VS. West Michigan Hounds  4:00 PM

Belle Tire VS. Dallas Stars Elites  8:15 PM

2/20

Victory Honda VS. Dallas Stars Elites  2:15 PM


U16AAA

2/17

Texas Tornado VS. San Jose Jr. Sharks  10:00 AM

Texas Tornado VS. New Jersey Jr. Titans  4:15 PM

2/18

Texas Tornado VS. Orange County  10:15 AM

Colorado Thunderbirds VS. Dallas Stars Elites  5:30 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Team Illinois  11:40 AM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Chicago Mission  6:20 PM

2/19

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Chicago Young Americans  8:10 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Russell Stover  11:10 AM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Shattuck St. Mary  2:00 PM

Colorado Rampage VS. Dallas Stars Elites  7:00 PM

2/20

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Rocky Mountain Roughriders  9:00 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Phoenix Jr. Coyotes  3:00 PM

A 3rd Period Surge keeps the Thunder in 1st Place VS. The Americans

After going up 2-0 with a steady stream of shots of goal and a stringent defense for the Americans for the first 2 periods, the Americans were looking to regain the lead in the very tight Berry Conference Race. But a 3rd period surge which included the Thunder scoring the game winner with just under 4 minutes left which was lead by Jarred Mohr who scored both goals to complete the comeback and extend their Conference Lead to 3 points (Wichita with 62 PTS; Allen with 59 PTS with 22 games left) as the race continues to be very tight as both teams are looking to fight for the rest of the season battling for not only the Conference Top Seed. But possibly home ice advantage as both Allen & Wichita continue to both have better records then the Turner Conference Leading Ft. Wayne Komets.

Both teams will be hitting the ice again tonight as the Thunder return home to play the Tulsa Oilers, while the Allen Americans will make their way across the DFW Metroplex to play the Texas Brahmas at the NYTEX Sports Center tonight. In addition to the Berry Conference Lead, it's another night with both teams looking to fight off desperate teams as the Oilers & Brahmas will look to pull away from the 5th Place RGV Killer Bees who defeated the Laredo Bucks 5-3 last night where the gap from 3rd through 5th place is just 2 points going into tonight's action.

I know were still about a month-and-a-half before the regular season, but it's never to early to a look at what the current playoff matchups would look like in both conferences. After last year's "Playoff Race" where only the last place teams would advance. This year, only the top 4 in both conferences will advance to the playoffs this season.

If the playoffs began today, here's what the Conference Semifinal Matchups would like. The Wichita Thunder would have home ice advantage in the playoffs right now as they would stand right now. Also, a possibility of an All DFW Playoff Series could become a growing possibility as the Americans & Brahmas are currently 2nd & 3rd right now.

Up North, it's starting to become a 5 team race for the Turner Conference as the Dayton Gems & Bloomington Blaze are starting to fall the way side. Currently the Ft. Wayne Komets are leading with 58 points through 43 games played while the chasing gap is separated by just 7 points where the Quad City Mallards sit with 51 points through 44 games played this season. It's going to be a very tight race in the North with any of the 5 teams that could get into the playoff race and possibly have a shot of fighting for the top seed

Here's what would the Conference Semifinals would look right now.

Berry Conference (South)

#1 Wichita Thunder VS. #4 Tulsa Oilers

#2 Allen Americans VS. #3 Texas Brahmas

In the Chase

#5 RGV Killer Bees, 1 PT behind #4 Tulsa & 2 PTS behind #3 Texas

Turner Conference (North)

#1 Ft. Wayne Komets VS. #4 Rapid City Rush

#2 Evansville IceMen VS. #3 Missouri Mavericks

In the Chase

#5 Quad City Mallards, 1 PT behind #4 Rapid City

This weekend's Central Hockey League Schedule

2/10

Tulsa Oilers VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

Allen Americans VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

2/11

Laredo Bucks VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Allen Americans  7:35 PM

Evansville Icemen VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

2/12

RGV Killer Bees VS. Tulsa Oilers 4:05 PM

Allen Americans VS. Wichita Thunder Game Highlights

Wichita Thunder 4  Allen Americans 2  (0-1, 0-1, 4-0)

Press Release from the Allen Americans

In Allen, Texas: The Wichita Thunder erased a 2-0 Allen lead after two periods, scoring four unanswered goals in the third for a 4-2 win Thursday Night at the Allen Event Center.

The Americans opened the scoring in the first when Adam Pineault put one back of the net, with a blast from the slot to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. Nick Layton had the only assist. It was Pineault's first goal of the season, in his first game from Allen. The Americans out shot Wichita 10-4 after one period of play.

The Americans added to their lead in the second as Colton Yellow Horn netted his 20th of the season, on a feed from Adam Pineault. It was Pineault's second point of the night. Jarrett Lukin drew the second assist and the Americans went up 2-0 after two periods of play.

The Thunder cut the lead in half at 3:45 mark of the third, when former Americans forward Dustin Donaghy let one fly from the right wing boards to make it 2-1 Allen. The Americans surged the net had come off before the puck went in the net, but the goal would stand. Six minutes later, it was Donaghy again, with a quick nab from the left side on the power play, to tie the score at two.

The Thunder would grab the lead for the first time at the 16:09 mark of the third period, when Jarred Mohr beat Rejean Beauchemin with a quick shot right off the faceoff to make it 3-2 Thunder. Mohr added an empty netter late in the third for his second of the game, and the Wichita Thunder would go on to win by a score of 4-2.

The loss drops Allen three points behind Wichita heading into tomorrow night's game at the Texas Brahmas.

American Goaltender Called up to the San Antonio Rampage

After having a strong season for the Allen Americans to get them in a major battle with the Wichita Thunder for the Berry Conference Lead. Americans Goaltender Rejean Beauchemin has been rewarded to earn a shot with the San Antonio Rampage as the team is beginning to prepare for the Post  All Star Break Portion of the season as San Antonio will be getting ready to travel to Oklahoma City to play the league leading  Barons on Thursday Night, then returning home to play the Lake Erie Monsters on Friday Night.

A Professional Tryout Contract usually lasts 25 games where the team can have enough time to let the player have a chance to show that he is worthy to play in the AHL. If he is, then the team will sign him to a regular contract. If not, then the player will be released and most likely returned to where he was playing prior to the PTO that was signed.

Rejean Beauchemin is currently playing in his 1st season for the Americans and has 3 Shutouts on the season and has been part of a goaltending carousel where 5 players have played in goal for the Americans this season. This hasn't hampered the Americans efforts where they trail the Wichita Thunder by just 1 point with both teams having 25 games left to play in the regular season which is scheduled to end on March 25.

It's important that the Rampage have a strong weekend as the team will prepare for their annual Rodeo Road Trip with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo that will be at the AT&T Center from February 9-26 as the team will embark on an 11 game road trip where the Rampage where they will start with a 4 games up north in Toronto & Hamilton in Ontario, also Rochester & Grand Rapids during that time. Then they will have a pair of games against the Texas Stars on the 17th & 18th then up to Oklahoma City on Sunday the 19th to complete a 3 game in 3 night series.

Then the road trip wraps up in the Mid-West to play 2 against Peoria and will wrap it up against Milwaukee & Chicago on February 29. The Rampage will return home on March 3 against the Houston Aeros.

In addition to the Americans battling for the Top Spot in the CHL Berry Conference and even for home ice advantage for the playoffs. This is also an important part of the season coming up for the San Antonio Rampage as they are currently in the middle of a 7 game winning streak that has helped the Rampage climb to 7th Place in the Western Conference and are currently sitting just 4 points back of the Houston Aeros who sit in 4th Place.

In addition, they are also just 3 points back of the 8th Place Peoria Rivermen and just 4 points ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals & Rochester Americans who are tied with 46 points. So the Rampage could see themselves possibly continue to climb up or slide down the Western Conference Standings in a hurry when the AHL Resumes their regular season tomorrow night against Oklahoma City tomorrow night. In all, the team has 32 games left in the regular season that will be played over the next 2 and-a-half months to wrap up the regular season that will end on April 15.

Upcoming San Antonio Rampage Schedule

2/2: @ Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

2/3: VS. Lake Erie Monsters  7:00 PM

2/7: @ Hamilton Bulldogs  9:00 AM

2/10: @ Toronto Marlies  6:00 PM

2/11: @ Rochester Americans  6:35 PM



San Antonio Rampage Press Release

Florida Panthers Exc. Vice President & GM Dale Tallon announced today that the club has recalled goaltender Brian Foster. In addition, the Rampage have announced that they have signed goaltender Rejean Beauchemin to a Professional Tryout Deal (PTO).

Foster, 24, earned his third call up of the season to the Panthers. In 11 games with San Antonio this season, Foster is 4-6-0 with a 3.55 GAA. In 10 games with Cincinnati this year, Foster is 8-1-1 with a 2.47 GAA and a 911 SV%. The Pembroke, N.H. native was drafted by Florida in the fifth round (161st overall) in the 2005 NHL Draft.

Beauchemin, 26, has appeared in 18 games with the Allen Americans (CHL) this season posting a 10-4-4 record with a .932 SV%. In 25 career AHL Games, the Winnipeg, Manitoba Native has posted a 5-15-1 record with a .855 Save Percentage and a 3.71 Goals Against Average split between Philadelphia (2005-07), Houston (2008-09) and Manitoba (2009-10). He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round (191st overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rampage will host their second annual Pink in the Rink Night this Friday at 7:00 PM at the AT&T Center. The ice will be dyed pink and the team will wear pink themed jerseys that will be auctioned off post-game to benefit the San Antonio affiliate of Susan G. Komen. A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased by calling a Rampage Rampage representative at 210-444-5554 or online at www.sarampage.com

Tulsa nips Rio Grande Valley 5-4 to climb to 3rd Place in the Berry Conference

The Tulsa Oilers & RGV Killer Bees gave the fans in Tulsa a strong game in a huge battle for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the Berry Conference. Tulsa was lead by the likes of Mike Ullrich and Jeff Terminesi to help edge the Killer Bees in a high scoring 5-4 victory for the Oilers that was determined early in the 3rd period when Michel Beausoleli scored his 11th of the season to break a 4-4 deadlock at the 1:59 mark of the 3rd period.

This win for huge, not only because the gap between the Oilers & Killer Bees is now at 5 points for the 4th & Final Playoff Spot, but also they were also able to jump ahead of the Texas Brahmas for 3rd as both teams are now tied for 3rd Place by having 1 more win (21 for Tulsa, 20 for Texas) in 1 fewer game over the course of the season.

The Oilers will now hope that the Laredo Bucks beat the Texas Brahmas tonight to keep it that way as the Bucks & Brahmas play each other tonight at 7:00 PM. Tulsa's next game will see them head to Dallas play the Allen Americans on both Friday & Saturday. RGV on the other hand will be at home to play the Wichita Thunder on Friday & the Texas Brahmas on Saturday coming up this weekend.

RGV VS. Tulsa Game Story on the Central Hockey League Website

RGV Killer Bees 4  Tulsa Oilers 5  (3-3, 1-1, 0-1)

From Tulsa, Oklahoma: With Critical points on the line, the Oilers rose to the occasion and fought off a feisty Rio Grande Valley squad to post a 5-4 victory in front of 3,633 fans at the BOK Center.

The Bees set a tone for a wild first period when Dan Gendur scored just 36 seconds into the proceedings. Dylan Clark answered right back for Tulsa, but Zac Pearson put Rio Grande Valley back in front with a shorthanded marker at 12:16. The Killer Bees pushed pushed the lead to 3-1 on Gendur's second of the game at 17:59. Unphased, the Oilers bounced back with a pair of goals by Gary Steffes and Sean Erickson in the span of 35 seconds. The squads went into the first intermission after an opening of 20 minutes that featured six goals on 21 shots.

In the final minute of the second period, the Oilers took their first lead of the night when Scott Balan inadvertently tapped the puck into his own net on a Tulsa Power Play. The home team's lead lasted all of 14 seconds. Gendur's snapped a shot past Ian Keserich with nine seconds left in the period to complete the hat trick and pull the Bees even at four apiece.

Tulsa put together a couple strong shifts early in the third and hard work paid off. Michel Beausoleil sent a backhand through the legs of Bees netminder Wylie Rogers to put the Oilers in front for good. Keserich made 11 of his 24 saves in the third to preserve the win, the Oilers sixth one-goal decision in the last seven games.

Four Oilers, Mike Ullrich, Jeff Terminesi, Steffes, and Erickson, finished with multiple points as Tulsa won back-to-back for the first time since December 27. With points in six games, the Oilers have tied their longest point streak of the season.

Tulsa returns to action Friday & Saturday for a pair of games against Allen.

Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule for 1/30-2/5

The All Star & Top Prospects Game continue for some leagues across North America this week as the American Hockey League All Star Game takes place tonight up in Atlantic City, New Jersey after the Western Conference winning the Skills Competition last night 18-10. Highlights including former Texas Tornado Goalie Ben Bishop won the Top Goaltender so far this season which leads the league with 6 shutouts was one of the top goaltenders by stopping 16 of 19 shots when in net. Also Ryan Keller of the Oklahoma City Barons was the co champion of the Accuracy Shot by hitting all 4 targets in just 5 shots along with Abbotsford Heat Forward Brian Connelly as well.

You can read about the entire AHL All Star Skills Competition here as well as the full results here.

With the NHL All Star Break now behind us, the league will resume the Regular Season tomorrow night with the Stars beginning a huge 2 game road trip to California to play the Ducks on Wednesday & the Sharks on Thursday as the Stars will look to eat into the Pacific Division Gap as they sit 8 points back of the Division Leading San Jose Sharks. Following the California Road Trip, it's back home to the Stars as they face the Minnesota Wild who currently holds down the 8th & Final Playoff Spot who like the Stars, have fallen back some what after an impressive start to the regular season.

Eddie Belfour will also be on hand for his NHL Hall of Fame Recognition after he got inducted back in November. He is the 3rd player from the Stars 1999 Stanley Cup Winning Team to be inducted into  the NHL Hall of Fame along with Joe Nieuwendyk who also got inducted along with Belfour & Brett Hull who was inducted back in 2009.

The 1st 7 games on February are critical to the team's Playoff Chances as they will be playing teams that are all very winnable and that are critical to the playoff run with 34 games left in the regular season that will take place over the final 2 months of the regular season which will wrap up on April 7.

When the AHL All Star Break wraps up after tonight's All Star Game. The American Hockey League will get back to business on Thursday Night with all 4 Regional Teams in action with San Antonio playing the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons while the Texas Stars will take on the Houston Aeros.

Oklahoma City will look to cool off a surging Rampage Team that has now risen to 7th Place thanks to a 7 game winning streak that goes back to January 14th win against the Rockford Ice Hogs. In addition to Rockford, San Antonio has also 3 wins over Houston & a victory over the Abbotsford Heat as well who are battling with Houston for 4th & get in a position where they would have home ice advantage in the 1st Round. Overall, the gap from from the 4th Place Houston Aeros to 7th Place San Antonio Rampage is now just 4 PTS.

Other big games in the AHL This week includes a battle of the West Division Leading Oklahoma City Barons against the Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers on Friday in OKC. Charlotte will also visit the Texas Stars on Saturday, while the Lake Erie Monsters are also visiting the Southwest by playing the Rampage on Friday & the Aeros on Saturday Night as well.

Elsewhere in the Region this week will have an important battle for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the Berry Conference between the Tulsa Oilers & RGV Killer Bees in Tulsa. RGV needs to respond after losing 2 of 3 last weekend after a OT Loss to South Texas Rival Laredo Bucks & a 4-1 loss to the Allen Americans on Sunday last weekend that allowed the Oilers to gain a slight lead where they were able to gain points in all 3 games with wins over the Texas Brahmas & Laredo Bucks as well as forcing OT in Kansas over the Wichita Thunder who are battling with Allen for the Conference Lead right now.

Among the Junior Ranks, we will see an all Dallas Area Game on Wednesday Night as the Ice Jets will play their final game before being off for two weeks as they will look to go ahead of the El Paso Rhinos for the Mid-West Division. This game is a virtual must win to help the Ice Jets Chances as the Rhinos still has two games in hand (three after Wednesday Night) as the Rhinos will have another Favorable Series against West Coast Division Cellar Dwelling Phoenix Knights after El Paso outscored Park City 28-3 in the 3 game series that wrapped up yesterday.

In the NAHL, the Texas Tornado & Wichita Falls Wildcats will play a 3 game series as the Tornado will host the series on Thursday & Friday before both teams head to Wichita Falls on Saturday Night. Also it will be a chance for the Corpus Christi Icerays to show that not only they can make the playoffs, but show they will be a dangerous foe as the Icerays travel to Kansas to play the Topeka Roadrunners on Wednesday & Thursday Night.

Finally the Dallas Stars Elites at both the U18AAA & U16AAA Levels will play their 2nd to Final Tier 1 Elite League Showcases of the season as the U18's will head to LA while the U16's will be in Denver. This weekend will also be used a tune up for the TAHA State Championship where both teams will play the Alliance Bulldogs in the Best of 3 State Tournament Series. Speaking of Alliance, the Alliance Bulldogs U18 team will play the Dallas Oilers on Sunday; while the U16's will head to Colorado to play the Pikes Peak Miners in an exhibition series up in Colorado this weekend.

National Hockey League

2/1: Dallas Stars VS. Anaheim Ducks  9:30 PM (FSN Southwest+)

2/2: Dallas Stars VS. San Jose Sharks  9:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/4: Minnesota Wild VS. Dallas Stars  7:00 PM (FSN Southwest+)

American Hockey League

1/30 (All Star Game) 6:00 PM in Atlantic City, New Jersey

2/2

San Antonio Rampage VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Texas Stars VS. Houston Aeros  7:05 PM

2/3

Charlotte Checkers VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Lake Erie Monsters VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

2/4

Charlotte Checkers VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

Lake Erie Monsters VS. Houston Aeros  7:35 PM

2/5: Milwaukee Admirals VS. Houston Aeros  12:05 PM

Central Hockey League

1/31: RGV Killer Bees VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:05 PM

2/1: Texas Brahmas VS. Laredo Bucks  7:00 PM

2/3

Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

2/4

Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

North American Hockey League

2/1: Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

2/2

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

2/3

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Fresno Monsters VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:05 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

2/4

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Fresno Monsters VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:00 PM

Texas Tornado VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Western States Hockey League

2/1: Dallas Ice Jets VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  9:30 PM

2/3

El Paso Rhinos VS. Phoenix Knights  9:00 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Park City Moose  9:00 PM

Long Beach Bombers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  9:00 PM

Cheyenne Stampede VS. New Mexico Renegades  9:30 PM

2/4

Long Beach Bombers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  3:45 PM

Cheyenne Stampede VS. New Mexico Renegades  6:30 PM

El Paso Rhinos VS. Phoenix Knights  8:45 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Park City Moose  9:00 PM

2/5

Long Beach Bombers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  10:15 AM

Dallas Snipers VS. Park City Moose  12:45 PM

El Paso Rhinos VS. Phoenix Knights  1:30 PM

Cheyenne Stampede VS. New Mexico Renegades  3:00 PM

U18AAA

2/3

Phoenix Jr. Coyotes VS. Dallas Stars Elites 10:00 AM

Colorado Thunderbirds VS. Dallas Stars Elites  6:15 PM

2/4

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Rampage  10:30 AM

Russell Stover VS. Dallas Stars Elites  6:45 PM

2/5

Rocky Mountain Roughriders VS. Dallas Stars Elites  10:30 AM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Dallas Oilers AA  8:00 AM

U16AAA

2/3

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Rocky Mountain Roughriders  3:30 PM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners  6:30 PM

2/4

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Russell Stover  12:15 PM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners  3:00 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Thunderbirds  6:30 PM

DJHA U18 AA VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:00 PM

2/5

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners 9:00 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Rampage  12:30 PM



1/25 American Hockey League Scoreboard

With the NHL on it's All Star Break and it's events beginning tonight with the NHL All Star Fantsay Draft coming up tonight. The American Hockey League (AHL), the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) & the Central Hockey League (CHL) are in action right now. For the Southwest Based Teams, it's a quiet couple of days as the Dallas Stars aren't back in action till February 1 when the Stars play the Ducks out in Anaheim.

While the Region's AHL teams are all off til Friday when Houston visits the Oklahoma City Barons while the Texas Stars travel to San Antonio to take on the Rampage. Then the Pre-All Star Game portion of the schedule wraps on Saturday where the Texas Stars & Houston Aeros will trade places with Oklahoma City & San Antonio as the Stars play the Barons & the Aeros playing the Rampage on Satuday as the league will head into their All Star Break.

In the Central Hockey League, the Americans are getting ready for a battle with the Wichita Thunder on Friday Night for a 1st Place Battle in the Berry Conference. While a critical battle for the league's last two playoff spots will be taking place as the Tulsa Oilers VS. Texas Brahmas will be taking place at the NYTEX Sports Center on Friday.

American Hockey League

St. John's Ice Caps 4  Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3  (SO) (1-1, 1-0, 1-2, 0-0, 1-0)

Rochester Americans 1  Grand Rapids Griffins 4  (0-3, 1-0, 0-1)

Adirondack Phantoms 1  Manchester Monarchs 5  (0-1, 0-3, 1-1)

Springfield Falcons 4  Worcester Sharks 2  (0-1, 1-0, 3-1)

Providence Bruins 4 W-B/Scranton Penguins 3  (OT) (2-1, 1-0, 0-2, 1-0)

Chicago Wolves 5  Abbotsford Heat 0  (3-0, 1-0, 1-0)

Greg Rajan In the Crease Podcasts

A recent addition to Greg Rajan's hockey coverage of the Corpus Christi Icerays is his Podcast called In the Crease where he talks to current & Former Players Junior & Minor League Players. As well as coaches, GMS, Owners and Media that cover these levels of hockey.

A couple of his recent interviews included former Corpus Christi Iceray from the CHL Days and current Texas Brahmas Forward Chad Wollard about the league's new playoff format, who he thinks the Brahmas biggest rival is and and a bizarre episodes that he has witnessed over the course of his career including when a rival folded in Mid-Season and became the teams new head coach.

Also in his recent episode is Brian Sandalow of The Monitor in McAllen where he covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees who has been one of the league's biggest surprises this season after many felt the team was going to fold last summer. Currently the Killer Bees sit in 5th Place just a point back of the Tulsa Oilers for the 4th & Final Playoff Spot in the Berry Conference with just under 30 games left in the regular season.

1/24 Episode

He was also able to get a fans perceptive from Ice Rays Fan Robert Hutchinson who has been a huge fan and season ticket holder of the Corpus Christi Icerays since the early days of the team playing in the Central Hockey League. Rajan got his thoughts on main issues like the team's lack of success on the ice, but it how continues to gain big crowds. The recent brawl between the Tornado & Ice Rays that resulted in 6 different players getting suspended, including Skyler Spiller for 10 games.

Also the biggest pros & cons of the Junior Game and losing South Texas Rivals with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and the Laredo Bucks as well as looking to see where they futures could be if the Central Hockey League can't survive with all the problems the league has had in recent years regarding teams either folding or moving to different leagues like the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the North American Hockey League.

1/17 Episode

The Americans Complete Sweep of Arizona

The Allen Americans have recently completed a sweep of a 3 game set that took course of the last 5 days where the Americans won both games in Arizona over the weekend in a pair of 1 goal decisions. Follow that with a 2-0 Shutout Victory of the Sundogs at the Allen Event Center last night. In addition to completing the sweep of the Sundogs recently, the Americans have also regained the Lead in the Berry Conference over the Wichita Thunder by a single point.

For the Americans, this is a great chance to develop a bit of a gap in the Berry Conference as the Americans have just a stretch of 9 of their next 10 will be at home (The only road game coming up is against the Brahmas on February 10th). Next up will be a 3 game in 3 night stretch as the Americans will play the Wichita Thunder on Friday Night, then a pair of games against the RGV Killer Bees on Saturday Night & Sunday Evening.

Here's the Next 5 Allen Americans Games (All at the Allen Event Center)

1/27: Wichita Thunder VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

1/28: RGV Killer Bees VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

1/29: RGV Killer Bees VS. Allen Americans  5:05 PM

2/3: Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

2/4: Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM 

Press Release from the Allen Americans

Arizona Sundogs 0  Allen Americans 2  (0-1, 0-0, 0-1)

From Allen, Texas: The Allen Americans earned the first shutout of the season Tuesday Night defeating the Arizona Sun Dogs 2-0 at the Allen Event Center.

The Americans jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead on the first shorthanded goal of the season for the Americans, Jeff Martins with his 4th of the season unassisted. Martins stole the puck at center ice and broke in ahead of the defense beating Arizona netminder Scott Reid with a wrister to put Allen on top. The Americans out shot Arizona 7-6 in the first.

No scoring in the 2nd period, however both goalies were tested. Arizona's Scott Reid stopped Bruce Graham twice at point blank range, stopping 33 of 35 Allen Shots on the night.

The Americans added to their lead in the third, when Mark Nebus blasted one in the net from the right wing boards to give Allen a 2-0 lead. It was Nebus second goal as a member of the Americans, and second in as many games. Rejean Beauchemin was spectacular in net stopping all 24 Arizona shots and now allowing just one goal in his last 120 minutes of work. With the win, the Americans jumped past Wichita and into first place in the Berry Conference, one point ahead of the Thunder, setting up a first place showdown on Friday Night.

Tickets are on sale for the Americans weekend home games against Wichita & Rio Grande Valley by calling 972-912-1000 or at TicketMaster



This weeks Southwest Hockey Schedule 1/16-22

Here's a look at this weeks Southwest Schedule as different All Star Games are coming up. Beginning with the United States Hockey League (USHL) Top Prospects Game which is coming up on January 24.

The Dallas Stars have been delivered a massive blow with All Star Center Jamie Benn having an emergency appendectomy to really make it tough over the next couple of weeks without the team's top centers in Mike Riberio & Jamie Benn. As for this weeks schedule, a brief road trip to St. Louis to take on the Blues tonight, followed by a pair of home games against the Detroit Red Wings & Tampa Bay Lightning this week as the Stars will have to be extremely Pesky (Note the Nick Name Pesky Stars) over the next couple of weeks as they will have to rely on being successful in lowing scoring games coming up.

They will wrap up this weeks schedule with their 2nd to last game of the Pre All Star Game Schedule with a short road trip to the Minnesota Wild coming up on January 2. When the Dallas Stars return from the All-Star Game on February 1st against the Anaheim Ducks, the Stars will have just 34 games remaining in the season as they will look to gain ground on a very tight group from 6th Place Nashville to 12th Place Calgary is just 7 points right now.

National Hockey League

1/16: Dallas Stars VS. St. Louis Blues  6:30 PM (NBC Sports Network)

1/17: Detroit Red Wings VS. Dallas Stars (FSN Southwest)

1/20: Tampa Bay Lightning VS. Dallas Stars (FSN Southwest)

1/21: Dallas Stars VS. Minnesota Wild  (KTXA 21)

American Hockey League

1/16

Texas Stars VS. Rockford Ice Hogs  1:05 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. San Antonio Rampage  4:00 PM

1/18: Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves  7:00 PM

1/19: Oklahoma City Barons VS. Rochester Americans 6:35 PM

1/20

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Rochester Americans  6:35 PM

Peoria Rivermen VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Houston Aeros  7:35 PM

1/21

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Lake Erie Monsters  6:30 PM

Peoria Rivermen VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

1/22

San Antonio Rampage VS. Houston Aeros  5:05 PM

Central Hockey League

1/16: Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  1:00 PM

1/17

Missouri Mavericks VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:00 PM

1/18

Texas Brahmas VS. Laredo Bucks  7:00 PM

1/20

Tulsa Oilers VS. Ft. Wayne Koments 6:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/21

RGV Killer Bees VS. Laredo Bucks  4:00 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Ft. Wayne Komets  6:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/22

Texas Brahmas VS. Wichita Thunder  5:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Evansville Ice Men  5:15 PM

North American Hockey League

1/20

Texas Tornado VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

1/21

Texas Tornado VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

1/22: Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  2:00 PM

Western States Hockey League

1/20

New Mexico Renegades VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Cheyenne Stampede  7:35 PM

1/21

Dallas Snipers VS. Texas Brahmas  2:00 PM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  7:00 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Cheyenne Stampede  7:35 PM

1/22

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Cheyenne Stampede  11:30 AM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  12:00 PM

Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule for 1/9-15

Here's a look at this week's Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule coming up this week. As always, if you have questions or comments about what's going on this week at the Professional, Junior & AAA Hockey Levels. If you have any questions or comments regarding any of the games this week, use the hash tag #SWHockey & use the Twitter name @tanman9.

The Stars are on the road in Southern California this week with games in Anaheim & Los Angeles coming up on Tuesday & Thursday as the team looks to eat into San Jose's Pacific Division Lead which is just 3 points, but at the same time be able to gain a lead on both the LA Kings who is currently tied for 2nd in the Division. And just 2 points ahead of the Phoenix Coyotes right now with 45 right now, so this would be a good time to gain some ground on both fronts.

As for the San Jose Sharks are also on the road against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Winnipeg Jets on Thursday Night & the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday Evening as well. Fortunately for the Sharks it's against teams that are closer to the bottom of the league as Columbus is dead last in the Western Conference & a Winnipeg Jets team who has been red hot right now which them currently in 9th place just 1 point back of Pittsburgh for the 8th & Final Playoff Spot in the Eastern Conference right now.

They will wrap up the week on Saturday Afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche. The team will also officially reach the half way point of the Regular Season and the run to the NHL All Star Break which will go from January 26-30 this year, with the Skills Competition on Saturday the 28 & the All Star Game it self will be on January 29 this season from the from the Scotiabank Center in Ottawa, Ontario.

The American Hockey League Teams will have on of their busier weeks of the season so far today as the Aeros will go on the Northern Part of their 4 Game Road trip after beating the San Antonio Rampage 4-3 yesterday with the help of a 2nd period surge with the help of Aeros Power Play Goals from Kris Foucault & Jon Disalvatore to help beat San Antonio and are back tied with the Abbotsford Heat for 2nd in the West Division & are just 3 points back of the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons.

Speaking of the Western Conference Leading OKC Barons, they have a 3 game in 3 night home stretch this weekend; which will include a pair of games against the Abbotsford Heat on Saturday Night & Sunday Afternoon with the West Division Lead likely on the line. It will depend however on how the Heat will do against the San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday Night & the Texas Stars on Wednesday Night to determine how much 'Heat' will be on the Barons to help protect the lead. It should be a pair of fiesty games for the Division Lead.

Back in November, the Barons & Heat split a weekend series with a pair of 4-1 games between the two teams. The Barons lead Abbotsford by 3 Points going into this week. In addition to the two games against Abbotsford, they will play the Rockford Ice Hogs who are currently dead last in the Western Conference

As for the American Hockey League All Star Game, it will be taking place on January 29 & 30 at the Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J. You can see the info on this year's event here and info on this year's roster here.

Saturday Night will be extremely busy for the AHL Teams as all 4 teams are in action against separate opponents. Texas is in Wisconsin to play the Milwaukee Admirals, Abbotsford will host the Oklahoma City Barons, the Houston Aeros are in Illinois to play the Peoria Rivermen and the Rampage hosting the Rockford Ice Hogs.

Elsewhere around the region on Thursday & Friday Night will have a critical battle for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the South Division as the Odessa Jackalopes & Corpus Christi Icerays will play each other at the American Bank Center. The Icerays are currently leading for the 4th Spot by 4 points, so the Jackalopes will need to win both games in regulation to get to a tie for 4th.

The League will also have the Topeka Roadrunners & Amarillo Bulls each other as the Roadrunners are looking to overtake the Tornado for 2nd Place who have lost their lost 3; and allowed the Roadrunners to get within 2 points of 2nd Place and what would be 1st Round Home Ice in the NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs.

In the Western States Hockey League, after a 3 game sweep of the Dallas Ice Jets in Grapevine over the weekend. The Rhinos have a chance to take the Mid-West Division Lead as the Rhinos will host the New Mexico Renegades this weekend. El Paso needs to get at least 3 of a possible 6 points to take the Division Lead which would at least be a win, an OT Loss & Regulation Loss or better this weekend.

Finally, it's a very busy weekend for U16AAA & U18AAA Teams with the MLK Weekend coming up.

At the U18 Level, The Dallas Stars Elites will head to Denver to play the Rocky Mountain Teams in their Tier 1 Elite League Showcase. The Ice Jets & Alliance Bulldogs will head to the High Performance Hockey League Showcase in Chicago. Finally the Texas Tornado U18 & U16 Teams will be in Troy, Michigan (just outside of Detroit) for one of the final NAPHL Regular Season.

The U16 Level will have the Stars Elites heading to Hingham, Mass (Just outside Boston). The Ice Jets will also be at the HPHL Showcase to play Shattuck St. Mary's as well as a trio of Detroit Powerhouses in Compuware, Honeybaked & Little Caesars during the MLK Weekend as well.

The TAHA State Tournament gets underway a month from tomorrow. So some teams who are going to looking to qualify for the Tier 2 State Tournament in Mid February will be looking to get in position to qualifiy for the Tournament next month.

Here's the Video & Audio Links where you can watch & Listen to games on line.

All Start Times on here are CST.

Here's this week's schedule

National Hockey League

1/10:  Dallas Stars VS. Anaheim Ducks  9:00 PM (FSNSW+)

1/12: Dallas Stars VS. Los Angeles Kings  9:30 PM (FSNSW)

1/14: Colorado Avalanche VS. Dallas Stars  2:00 PM  (FSNSW & NHLN US)

American Hockey League

1/10: Abbotsford Heat VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/11

Houston Aeros VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

1/13

Texas Stars VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

1/14

Texas Stars VS. Milwaukee Admirals  7:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/15: Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  4:00 PM

Central Hockey League

1/13

Allen Americans VS. Missouri Mavericks  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/14

Texas Brahmas VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/15: RGV Killer Bees VS. Texas Brahmas  5:00 PM

North American Hockey League

1/12: Odessa Jackalopes VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

1/13

Topeka Roadrunners VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

1/14

Topeka Roadrunners VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

1/15

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. New Mexico Mustangs  2:00 PM

Texas Tornado VS. Corpus Christi Icearys  3:05 PM

Western States Hockey League

1/13: New Mexico Renegades VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

1/14: New Mexico Renegades VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

1/15: New Mexico Renegades VS. El Paso Rhinos  5:30 PM

U18AAA

1/13

Texas Tornado VS. Omaha AAA Lancers  12:00 PM

1/14

Wenatchee Wild VS. Texas Tornado  8:00 AM

Dallas Alliance Bulldogs VS. Culver Academy  1:40 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Rocky Mountain Roughriders  2:00 PM

Texas Tornado VS. San Jose Jr. Sharks  4:15 PM

Dallas Alliance Bulldogs VS. Chicago Young Americans  8:40 PM

1/15

West Michigan Hounds VS. Texas Tornado  8:15 AM

Dallas Alliance Bulldogs VS. Honeybaked  10:40 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Russell Stover  12:15 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Team Illinois  12:40 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Thunderbirds  6:30 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Chicago Mission  7:20 PM

1/16

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Honeybaked

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Rampage 12:30 PM

U16AAA

1/13

Orange County VS. Texas Tornado  2:15 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Ohio Blue Jackets  11:00 AM

1/14

Texas Tornado VS. Indiana Jr. Ice  10:00 AM

Pittsburgh Hornets VS. Dallas Stars Elites  5:20 PM

Shattuck St. Mary VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:50 PM

1/15

Compuware VS. Dallas Ice Jets  11:40 AM

Phoenix Firebirds VS. Texas Tornado  12:00 PM

Honeybaked VS. Dallas Ice Jets  6:20 PM

TPH Thunder VS. Dallas Stars Elites  9:20 PM

1/16

Texas Tornado VS. Pikes Peak Miners  6:00 AM

Buffalo Jr. Sabres VS. Dallas Stars Elites  7:00 AM

Little Caesars VS. Dallas Ice Jets  8:40 AM


TAHA Tier 2 State Tournament Qualifiers

U18

1/11

GM1 :DJHA-Kowall VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  7:45 PM

GM1: Dallas Stars Selects VS. Alliance Bulldogs  8:00 PM


U16

1/14

GM1: Houston Hitmen VS. Texas Aces  1:30 PM

GM2: Texas Aces VS. Houston Hitmen  7:30 PM

1/15

GM3: Houston Hitmen VS. Texas Aces  8:50 AM


U14

1/12

GM2: Allen Jr. Americans VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:30 PM