Mix in a few comebacks, a few hot goaltenders, and a shootout and the result is another great night of action in the Central Hockey League. The SteelHounds cameback yet again on Oklahoma City to win 4-3, while Amarillo picked up a 3-1 win and two important division points against Lubbock. The Thunder ended up taking a wild 4-3 decision against the Mudbugs, and Austin shutout Tulsa 3-0 for their second win. The Laredo Bucks outlasted the RiverKings in an explosive 6-3 victory, while the Brahmas goaltending carried them to a 3-1 win over Corpus Christi. Down along the border, the Bees needed a shootout to decide things against the Jacks as they walked away 3-2 winners.

Oklahoma City 3 @ Youngstown 4
Another night, another compelling third period come-from-behind victory for the SteelHounds. This team certainly has a flare for the dramatic, led by their veteran captain Jeff Christian, who had the game tying goal for the second consecutive evening along with two assists – this coming on the heels of a four goal performance a night earlier. The Blazers let another third period slip through their grasp and fall to 1-5-0 on the season, while the ‘Hounds improve to 4-2-1. Christian didn’t have to do it all by himself this time, however, getting help with two goals by Darryl Lloyd to cap a very successful opening weekend in Youngstown.

Lubbock 1 @ Amarillo 3
Amarillo picked up two goals and an assist from center Derek Hahn in an important 3-1 win against Lubbock. Gorillas’ forward Brent Hughes had two helpers which were key in a game against a Southwest Division rival. Amarillo also received a strong goaltending effort from Shawn Degagne in net as they improve to 2-3-1. The Kings lone scorer was Vic Pereira who joined them just before this weekend’s games.

Bossier-Shreveport 3 @ Wichita 4
The Mudbugs’ tough weekend trip against fellow Northern Conference powers continued in Wichita as they lost a close, exciting game to the Thunder 4-3. Wichita came back twice from one-goal deficits with solid performances once again by their talented line of Jason Duda (1g,2a), Joe Blaznek (1g,3a) and Travis Clayton (1g,1a). Bossier-Shreveport was led by Dan Wildfong (1g,2a), but couldn’t find enough for the comeback despite a late third period goal to close within one. Six out of the seven total goals in this game were scored on the power play with the Mudbugs going 2-for-16 and the Thunder converting on 4-out of-11.

Tulsa 0 @ Austin 3
The Ice Bats picked up their second win of the year with stout defense and excellent goaltending from Matt Barnes who stopped all 34 shots he faced. Austin also got help in the form of a goal and an assist each from John McNabb and Aaron Davis. The Oilers had been playing well of late, but fall to 3-2-0 after the loss while the Ice Bats now sit at 2-5-0.

Memphis 3 @ Laredo 6
The Bucks picked up their second straight win in an action packed contest with the Memphis RiverKings. The Bucks’ Steve Weidlich scored the game’s first goal, but the RiverKings grabbed the lead on two Don Parsons goals. Shortly following the second, three separate fights in a matter of five seconds on the game clock raised the energy level on both sides for the remainder. Laredo countered with a pair, but was answered with Parsons’ third tally to tie the game once again. The RiverKings could only muster 20 total shots and the Bucks came on in the third period to score three and win going away 6-3.

Fort Worth 3 @ Corpus Christi 1
Fort Worth was another team to have stellar play between the pipes as their netminder Larry Sterling turned away 41 shots by the Rayz to win 3-1. The Brahmas scored goals at nearly the exact same point in both the first and second periods and made the 2-0 lead stand until each team got a late goal in the final minute. Corey Stillman, David Silverstone, and Bret Dececco were the goal scorers for Fort Worth who improved their early record to an impressive 5-1-1, while Corpus Christi falls to .500 with a 3-3-0 mark.

Odessa 2 @ Rio Grande Valley 3 (S/O)
The goaltending for both teams was outstanding, but one team had to come away with a win – and that team was the Killer Bees who survived 3-2 in a shootout. Bees’ forward Dwayne Hay scored another of his memorable goals this season as the sixth Rio Grande Valley shooter to end the game being mobbed by his teammates. Hay also had an assist in the second period on the first goal of the game scored by Matic Kralj. Matt Cressman and Donnie Margettie scored the goals for Odessa who got 37 saves from goalie Mike Gorman, but was equaled by Bees’ netminder Evan Lindsay with 35.


CHL Games for Sunday, 11/6/05

Austin @ Lubbock Sun, Nov 06 5:05 pm
Tulsa @ Amarillo Sun, Nov 06 6:00 pm