Based on Friday night CHL results, the respective conference coaches for the 2007 CHL All-Star Game have been determined. Colorados Chris Stewart will handle the Northern Conference All-Stars on January 17th in Bossier-Shreveport, while Laredos Terry Ruskowski will oversee the Southern Conference. Stewart earns the All-Star honor for the third straight season (also 2006 in Rio Grande Valley, 2005 in Laredo) while Ruskowski leads the South for the third time in four seasons (also 2006 in Rio Grande Valley, 2004 in New Mexico). Both the Eagles and the Bucks have cemented the top winning percentage in their respective conference prior to Christmas Day regardless of what happens Saturday evening. The Equipment Managers and Athletic Trainers for both clubs also join the All-Star contingent, and the Coaches will help select all the non-starters for the All-Star Game itself. The starting lineups for both conference will be announced on December 27th.
CHL Friday Results
Corpus Christi 4 @ Laredo 5 (OT)
Defenseman Adam Rivet had his second game winning goal of the season 4:01 into extra time to end a see saw battle for first place in the Southeast Division.
CRP: McIver, Carter, Powell, Baird
LAR: Kouba, Bes, Chaumont, Genovy, Rivet
Wichita 2 @ Colorado 4
Shorthanded goals by Riley Nelson and Ed McGrane were too much too overcome for the Thunder, while Eagles tough guy Fraser Filipic scored his first of the season by sealing the win with an empty net tally.
WIC: Tetrault, Halkidis
COL: Nelson, Borsheim, McGrane, Filipic
Memphis 2 @ Bossier-Shreveport 5
Bossier-Shreveport scored the first four goals of the contest and cruised to victory over the RiverKings, who entered the game with the best road winning percentage in the CHL.
MEM: Sessa, R. Campbell
BOS: Zirnis, Gustafson, Wildfong, Brassard, Abbott
Austin 4 @ Youngstown 1
A pair of Julian Smith goals (one shorthanded) led the Ice Bats to victory, while John McNabb had his 14th of the season, CHL points leader Jeff Christian scored the only goal for Youngstown, giving him 45 points on the season.
AUS: Smith (2), McNabb, Smegal
YNG: Christian
Amarillo 4 @ Oklahoma City 3 (SO)
Brent Hughes was the only player successful in the shootout in a back and forth game that eventually saw the Gorillas pick up their fourth road win of the season. Defenseman Mike Burgoyne had his club leading 13th of the year for the Blazers.
AMA: Chafe, Hansen, Lipsett, Hughes
OKC: Beausoleil, Connors, Burgoyne
Rio Grande Valley 5 @ Odessa 1
A quality road effort by Rio Grande Valley, who scored once on the power play and twice shorthanded to take a 3-0 lead midway through the second period of play. Jason Cirone added his team leading 12th of the season for the Killer Bees.
RGV: Maxwell (2), OLeary, Carrigan, Cirone
ODE: Swiniarski
Lubbock 2 @ New Mexico 5
The Scorpions dominated the shots on goal category 43-27 to continue their recent torrid play, now without a regulation loss in their last nine games at 6-3-0. Mike Falk paced the attack with his 10th and 11th of the season.
LUB: McBrien, Carter
NMX: Falk (2), MacInnis, McLeod, Herauf