Austin Power Play Leads Bats Past Rayz 3-2

March 16, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Special teams were the difference on Sunday as the Austin Ice Bats rode three power play goals to a 3-2 victory over the Corpus Christi Rayz from the Chaparral Ice Center in Austin. The Rayz loss officially eliminated them from playoff contention, and moved the Ice Bats within a single point of clinching the fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Corpus Christi will end their 2007-2008 season with three road games next week, beginning Wednesday Night in Rio Grande Valley. The Rayz would like to thank all of their great fans and sponsors for their support during their 10th Anniversary season and over the last decade. For more Rayz information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK. The IceBats were given five first period power plays and made the most of their opportunities with a pair of power play goals from John Ronan. Ronan got the scoring started with a wrist shot from the left circle that beat Jason Tapp at 9:43. Ronan made it 2-0 Austin at 16:47 when he redirected a Jason Tessier slapshot past Tapp to complete the opening frame scoring. The Rayz outshot the Bats 10-9 in the period, despite being shorthanded for half the stanza.

The Ice Bats added another power play goal in the second period on a two-man advantage. Henry Kuster knocked home a rebound at 11:19 to make the score 3-0 for the only goal of the period. The Bats Ted Vandemeer had a penalty shot late in the period, but was denied by Jason Tapp.

The Rayz threw everything they had at Austin in the final period and got within a goal. Derek Smith and Chris Shaffer scored 58 seconds apart in the first 1:28 of the third period. The Rayz then peppered Miguel Beaudry for the remainder of the period, but could not find the equalizer. Trailing by a goal, in the closing minutes, two more power plays were called in favor of the Ice Bats. The Rayz killed them off and pulled Jason Tapp with under two minutes to play, but could not tie the score.

The Rayz outshot the Bats 32-22. Corpus Christi went 0 for 9 on the power play and Austin went 3 for 10. Jason Tapp took the loss for the Rayz, falling to 21-27-7, and made 19 saves on 22 shots. Miguel Beaudry made 30 saves on 32 shots, earning the win and improving to 21-18-1.

The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade of hockey in South Texas. The organization would like to thank all their terrific fans and sponsors for their support this year and for the past ten seasons. For more information on the Rayz, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2008


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