RGV Capsules: Bees still waiting for Irving to heat up

HIDALGO — In some ways, the Killer Bees are getting what they expected out of veteran forward Joel Irving. He seems to be the same cheerful personality and committed player he was touted as when he signed last month. He’s still as big and experienced as billed and provides another veteran presence for a relatively young team.

His production, however, hasn’t matched expectations.

In 13 games, Irving has one goal, four assists and a minus-6 rating. Three of his points have come on power plays, and he hasn’t scored a goal since Oct. 31 against Amarillo. Compared to the starts by forwards Grant Goeckner-Zoeller (21 points), Jesse Bennefield (20) and Daymen Rycroft (18), not to mention his production from last year with Arizona (35 goals, 34 assists), Irving’s slow start looks even, well, slower.

The Bees, who play host to Bossier-Shreveport (7-6) tonight hope the two assists he got Saturday against Odessa are the start of a turnaround for Irving.

"I’m not too worried about it. I’m trying to keep myself… to be accountable every night," Irving said. "I’m going to get my points at the end of the year. It’s going to show up the same as I’ve had in the last 12 years."

Irving, actually, isn’t the only member of his line who is struggling. Winger Andrew Schembri and center Shaun Landolt also have seen their production dip. Landolt has only 3 points in his last 7 games while Schembri has just 2 over that timespan.

Neither, however, has the same pedigree as Irving.

"He’s proven at this level that he can get it done," coach Chris Brooks said. "He’s going to be an important part of our success once he gets going the way he and I want him to."

That, though, hasn’t happened quite as quickly as either Irving or Brooks would have expected.

"I think he probably is (waiting to get going) too," Brooks said. "I think, just get involved and finish checks and play that energy power forward game I know that he holds himself accountable to."

Without much production from Irving and his line, the Bees (8-5-2) have won 7 of their last 11 games to get within three points of second-place Allen. Goeckner-Zoeller, Bennefield and Rycroft are all among the CHL’s top 10 scorers. The checking line of Aaron Lee, Zak McClellan and Topher Scott or Sean Muncy have provided the expected amount of energy, while the goaltending, defense and special teams have emerged.

Now the biggest thing the Bees are waiting on is Irving, who sounds confident the wait won’t be much longer.

"There’s been points in the season … you don’t go 12 years without having a few dry spells here and there, that’s for sure," Irving said. "The main thing is I’m always a positive person and I always just move through any little hiccups.

"The one column I do look at is the ‘W’ one," Irving added. "That’s what we’re looking at right now and we’ll go from there."

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.

Clouthier expected to join Bees

HIDALGO - Veteran forward Brett Clouthier was released on Monday by the AHL's Providence Bruins and is expected to make it to the Valley on Wednesday afternoon. If he does make it, he's expected to play in that night's game against Bossier-Shreveport.

"He's coming," Bees coach Chris Brooks said.

In eight games at Providence, Clouthier had no points but 17 penalty minutes. The Bees held his North American Double-A rights while he was at Providence on a 25-game professional tryout. He will be the Bees' fourth veteran, along with Stacey Bauman, Jay Hardwick and Joel Irving.

What the Bees will expect out of Cloutier is obvious. At 6-5 and 230 pounds he will become their biggest player and provide protection for their more-skilled skaters, though Brooks called him "a big tough kid that can play."

"There's a lot that he brings. He's a great team guy, a veteran guy. He played at a higher level," Brooks said. "He brings an element that's important to our team that I think's going to be important to our success.

"If we were missing one thing through the first 15 games, I think he brings that. At the same point, we still have to understand our identity and what is going to make us successful."

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitior.com.

College

Mississippi State beats Texas-Pan American 75-50

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Jarvis Varnado had 12 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks to lead Mississippi State to a 75-50 victory over Texas-Pan American on Tuesday night.

Mississippi State (3-1) shot 52.6 percent from the field and hit nine shots from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs held the Broncs (0-5) to 19-for-65 shooting from the field, and have held their past three opponents to an average of 38.8 percent shooting.

Texas-Pan American lived and died by the 3-point shot, finishing 7-for-21 from beyond the arc against a tough perimeter defense by the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State won the rebounding battle 45-33 behind Varnado’s performance.

Varnado was 6-for-8 from the field and his 15 rebounds were a season high. His eight blocks tied a season high set last week against Southeastern Louisiana.

The Bulldogs opened on a 16-5 run and led 42-33 at the half. Mississippi State opened the second half on a 10-1 run and the Broncs trailed 60-39 by the 11-minute mark. The Broncs hit only six shots in the second half.

Dee Bost added 13 points with six rebounds and four assists for the Bulldogs.

Barry Stewart added 12 points and Ravern Johnson chipped in 11 on 4-of-8 shooting.

Luis Valera and Nick Weiermiller had eight points apiece as no Texas-Pan American player finished in double figures.