Laredo center Jeff Bes, the defending Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player, and Austin netminder Matt Barnes, a two time Most Outstanding Goaltender recipient, have earned recognition as the Oakley CHL Player and Goaltender of the Week for Week Nine of the CHL season. Bes figured prominently in all three of Laredo’s wins this week, totaling eight points, while Barnes helped Austin take three out of four possible points in contests against division co-leaders Lubbock and Fort Worth.

The streaking Laredo Bucks have won seven straight contests, and 03/04 CHL M.V.P. Bes played a major role in all three team wins this week to help the Bucks earn a share of the Southeast Division lead with Corpus Christi. His top outing came in a December 17th win against Rio Grande Valley, scoring twice and adding three assists to tie a CHL season high for points in a game. Bes has recorded eight multiple point outings this season, and has been dominant as of late, scoring nine goals and adding eight assists in his last 10 contests. His outstanding week has moved him into 18th place in the CHL scoring race with 27 points after leading the circuit last year in both points (117) and assists (78).

Austin’s Matt Barnes continues to be a strength for the Ice Bats, and enjoyed two fine outings this week. Friday, December 17th he turned aside 32 shots as Austin edged Lubbock 3-2 in overtime, then was nearly perfect the following evening, again making 32 stops as the Ice Bats fell to Fort Worth 1-0 in a shootout. Barnes continues to climb in the CHL goaltender rankings, improving to ninth place (2.56) in goals against average and fourth position (.923) in save percentage. With six more wins, Barnes will reach the 100 win plateau in his CHL career, and currently ranks second all-time with 15 CHL/WPHL shutouts. Barnes also shares the record for shutouts in a single CHL season, recording eight blankings in the 02/03 campaign.