THE “SLO PATROL” HAS BEEN CONTROLLING THE KINGS OFFENSE
The Lubbock Cotton Kings have been so tied up with injuries this season, that they have only been able to manage three games this season with a full healthy roster. Once a player is injured or a new player is added, coach Bill McDonald has to complete the tough decision-making process of “changing lines.” Some lines stay in tact and some lines have a complete change. This season, Jan Melichercik and Dave MacIntyre filled two of the three spots serving on one of the Cotton Kings lines, but the line had to be jumbled after Dave MacIntyre suffered an injury on February 12th. With Cosmo Dupaul also going down due to injury, Coach Bill McDonald designed a line consisting of Slovakian Blaz Emersic, Slovenian Jan Melichercik, and the not so speedy Stephane Larocque (he will even admit it), which has deemed the line name “Slo Patrol” and has been tearing up defenses lately. The line was placed together on February 16th, and has contributed with 9 of the last 12 goals scored in a four game span. In Saturday’s 5 - 4 win over El Paso, the “Slo Patrol” recorded all 5 Lubbock goals, with Jan Melichercik recording his first professional hat trick and the Cotton Kings first hat trick of the season. Dave MacIntyre is eligible to return off the injured reserve list Tuesday in Amarillo, but head coach Bill McDonald stated that the “Slo Patrol” will stay together.
KING OF THE WEEK
Stephane Larocque has been named the Cotton Kings player of the week for February 18th – 24th. The veteran contributed with a goal and 4 assists for 5 points in two games on the week for the Kings. Larocque, who began the season in the Quebec senior leagues, led all scorers on Saturday against El Paso with 4 points off of a goal and 3 assists. He is on a three-game point streak to open up the week.
LUBBOCK’S OTHER HOME
The Cotton Kings once called Amarillo's Cal Farley Coliseum home, as rodeo events inside the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum forced the Cotton Kings to play the Odessa Jackalopes away from Lubbock during the 1999 - 2000 playoffs. Lubbock has an all-time record of 8 - 4 - 1 (9 - 4 - 1 if you include the playoffs mentioned above) in Amarillo, and coach Bill McDonald has had success in Amarillo as well. Heading into this week’s two games in Amarillo, McDonald has coached 10 games inside the Cal Farley Coliseum and has an 8 - 2 - 0 all-time record (6 - 2 - 0 with Lubbock and 2 - 0 - 0 with Fort Worth), which is a better record than the Amarillo Rattlers have at home this season. The Rattlers have the worst home record in the CHL this season, posting a 5 - 15 - 5 home record through 20 games this season at the Cal Farley.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Lubbock will play three consecutive games this week against the Amarillo Rattlers (2 road, 1 home), marking the first time in team history the Cotton Kings have played an opponent three consecutive dates during the regular season. The two games in Amarillo will also be the first time Lubbock has played consecutive road games in consecutive nights in team history during the regular season.
DINING WITH THE KINGS
Several Cotton King players will be working as waiters this evening from 7 - 9 p.m. (Monday) at Red Lobster (located at 50th & Slide). The tips raised by the Cotton Kings will be turned over to Red Lobster to donate to a charity of their choice.
RESCHEDULED
Lubbock’s originally scheduled contest in Amarillo on February 5th was postponed due to icy roadway conditions, and has been rescheduled for this Wednesday, February 27th at 7:11 p.m. Lubbock fans who had purchased tickets for the contest are encouraged to contact the Amarillo Rattlers at (806) 374-7825.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Fri. Feb. 22 2 - 3 L @ San Antonio Top Star: SNT-Greg Gatto game winning goal
Sat. Feb. 23 5 - 4 W vs El Paso Top Star: LUB-Jan Melichercik first pro hat trick
WEEK AHEAD
Tue. Feb. 26 7:11 @ Amarillo Rattlers Radio: KFYO 790 AM
Wed. Feb. 27 7:11 @ Amarillo Rattlers Radio: KKAM 1340 AM
Fri. Mar. 1 7:05 vs Amarillo Rattlers Radio: KFYO 790 AM
Sat. Mar. 2 7:05 vs Odessa Jackalopes Radio: KFYO 790 AM TV: Cox Cable 14
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