Bats Battle Cancer, Playoff Fate, and Possible Baldness This Weekend
February 20, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - The Central Hockey League's Austin Ice Bats kick off a three game weekend with a home-and-home series against Rio Grande Valley, plus a home contest against Corpus Christi on Saturday night.
Thursday the Ice Bats will host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at Chaparral Ice Arena at 7:35 PM. Austin is 3-2 vs. the Bees this season, and looking to avenge a 5-2 loss from their most recent meeting. Friday night the Bats take to the road for round two of their home-and-home series with Rio Grande. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. Pre-game coverage will start fifteen minutes before the 7:35 PM puck drop.
Saturday night will be a special event for the Ice Bats when the team battles their division rival, the Corpus Christi Rayz. Austin is currently one point behind Corpus in the Southern Conference standings and three points out the final playoff spot. "Intense" and "competitive" has been the only way to describe the Bays/Rayz series this season. Austin currently holds a 4-3 season record over Corpus. Five of the games have been decided by just a goal, and three needed a shootout to find a winner.
The Bats will also battle cancer on Saturday when they wear pink jerseys, and use pink hockey sticks, to support the Susan G. Komen foundation. The Bats jerseys and sticks are available for purchase, based on availability, and a portion of gate ticket proceeds will also be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Austin Affiliate.
In an effort to help raise money and awareness, Ice Bats forward Dan Veenema has promised to shave his head if the team meets its goal of $6,000 in proceeds from the event. Veenema's brother is a cancer survivor, giving him a personal connection to Saturday night's fundraiser.
Playoff implications, pink jerseys, and a charitable cause are all on display during Saturday's game. Tickets are still available for both home games starting at just $9 by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.
The Ice Bats are the AA Affiliate for the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros (AAA). The team is currently playing its 12th season in Austin. Single game tickets and mini-plans are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.
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