Rogers getting into groove for Killer Bees
HIDALGO – There was just something about goalie Wylie Rogers’ spirit and disposition last season. It was cheerful, honest and few if any emotions stayed hidden. As one of the Bees’ rookie leaders, he became one of the team’s spokesmen, and frequently spoke of how much the group meant to each other.
And he was also pretty good in net.
After splitting time with Christian Boucher during the regular season, he was the Bees’ primary goalie in the playoffs. He started six of the team’s seven games and recorded the franchise’s first postseason shutout in Game 3 of the first-round mini-series by blanking Corpus Christi 3-0.
This season, things have been a bit different for Rogers and the Bees (14-11-3), who play host Tuesday night to the Tulsa Oilers.
The rookie vibe that made last year’s team so memorable hasn’t quite translated to this year’s group, which has only three active first-year professionals.
Instead of splitting time in net, he has appeared only 11 times compared to 19 for Andy Franck.
“It’s always frustrating when you’re not playing a lot, and when you do play you’ll sit a couple other games,” Rogers said. “But the biggest thing is, you have to keep your head in it and keep the big picture in mind that it’s a team. Just basically when I get in I know I have to play my best to get a chance to play the next night.”
Recently, Rogers has done that.
Starting the Bees’ last three games, Rogers went 2-1, allowing only seven goals on 106 shots, improving his record to 7-4. That lone loss came Sunday when he stopped 38 of 39 shots in a 1-0 loss to Amarillo.
Though Franck at times has been one of the league’s best goalies, the Bees know they need Rogers to be close to what he was last season. For the first time season, he’s doing that.
But through his struggles, which included allowing seven goals against Odessa on Oct. 20 and three on just six shots on Nov. 29 at Allen, Rogers’ disposition hasn’t changed. The honesty never left and his fit in the dressing room remains solid.
“Wylie’s Wylie. He fits in well with the team with the guys that are back from last year and the new guys… he’s fit in well,” coach Chris Brooks said. “It’s nice to see him play really, really well over the last stretch.”
ICING: Tulsa will be without leading scorer Rob Hisey. Hisey on Monday was recalled by Springfield of the AHL. In 24 games, Hisey leads the Oilers with 19 goals and 22 assists and is fourth in the CHL with 41 points. ... The CHL on Monday announced the South Texas starters for the Jan. 13 All-Star Game in Laredo. The Killer Bees will be represented in the starting lineup by winger Jesse Bennefield and defenseman Nathan Ansell. Bennefield is second in the CHL with 17 goals while Ansell is fifth among defensemen with 22 points.
The host Laredo Bucks have three starters, goalie JP Levasseur, defenseman Adam Rivet and forward Darryl Smith. Corpus Christi's lone starter is forward Justin Quenneville.
Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.
