Bats, Iguanas Split First Two Games; I-35 Series to be Decided This Weekend

Published on March 26, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release


CHL PRESIDENT'S CUP PLAYOFFS - SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS vs. SAN ANTONIO IGUANAS:

Game 1: Fri., Mar. 22nd in San Antonio: Austin 4, San Antonio 1
Game 2: Sat., Mar. 23rd in Austin: San Antonio 5, Austin 2
Game 3: Fri., Mar. 29th, 7:30pm, at the Bat Cave, Austin, Texas
Game 4: Sat., Mar. 30th, 7:05pm, at Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas
Game 5 (if necessary): Sun., Mar. 31st, 3:00pm, at the Bat Cave, Austin, Texas

Setting the Stage: After splitting the first two games, the Austin Ice Bats of the newly merged Central Hockey League will decide their best-of-five playoff series against I-35 rival San Antonio this weekend. Game Three of the Southern Conference Semifinal series will be played Friday at the Travis County Expo Center in Austin. Game Four returns to San Antonio, and if necessary, Game Five will decide the series Sunday in Austin.

Achieving a 44-15-5 regular season record, the Ice Bats went into post-season play as the CHL's Southeast Division champions. The Bats finished the regular season five points ahead of San Antonio in the Division, and second in the league overall, just seven points behind Governor's Cup champion Odessa.

The Bats finished the CHL regular season in style, winning their last six games, and compiling an 8-3-2 record on their season ending 13-game road trip.

A look back:
GAME ONE: Last Friday, the Bats struck the first blow in their opening round playoff series in San Antonio, beating the chippy Iguanas, 4-1. With the Bats' arrival delayed nearly two hours by a tanker truck fire on I-35 near New Braunfels, the I-35 series got started 45 minutes late. But the Bats wasted no time getting on the board. Off Kelly Smart's face-off win, Jeff Greenlaw buried the game's first goal just 16 seconds into the contest.

The Iguanas' Clay Awe tied the game on a power play deflection at 13:44 of the first, but the Bats' Daniel Tetrault then scored the first of his two power play goals in the game. Tetrault cranked in a shot from the left wing on a 2-on-1 rush with 2:20 left in the first.

Despite trailing, the Iguanas continued to go to the box in the second period, and Tetrault scored a 5-on-3 power play goal on a one-timer from the high slot at 16:36. Greenlaw then scored on a 4-on-2 breakout 3:43 into the third period.

Now down 4-1, the Iggies continued to pile up the penalties. Called for 47 total minutes and 21 minor penalties, the Iguanas spent most of the final ten minutes on the penalty kill. With two goals each, Greenlaw and Tetrault were the scoring leaders, and Austin Goalie Bryan McMullen made big saves in stopping 30 of 31 shots. The Bats cashed in on two of twelve power play chances to gain a 1-0 lead in the series.

GAME TWO: On Saturday, the Iguanas turned the tables, evening the series with a 5-2 win in Austin. The Iguanas scored 4-on-4 goals just 69 seconds apart late in the first period-Jonathan Dubois scored on a deflection at 13:09, and Greg Gatto took advantage of sloppy defensive zone play for a goal. The Iguanas scored two more just 39 seconds apart midway through the second, cashing in on both ends of a 5-on-3 power play.

The Bats got on the board on a Darryl McArthur blast from the point 8:34 into the third. San Antonio's Henry Kuster and Austin's Dan Price then traded power play goals, and the Iggies took a 5-2 lead into the final three minutes.

After starting the game in place of the illness-stricken Bryan McMullen, Bats goalie Dan McIntyre was pulled in favor of an extra attacker. Misinterpreting the extra skater as a late line-change attempt, referee David Banfield ordered Bats forward Eric Labelle back to the bench. When Labelle lined up for the face-off instead, Banfield whistled a quick unsportsmanlike conduct minor against Austin.

The call was the last straw for Bats Coach Brent Hughes, who heaved five water bottles in Banfield's direction before being ejected. The game ended ugly, with a skirmish between the teams at the buzzer resulting in 62 minutes in penalties. As they were leaving the ice, Iguanas players taunted the Austin fans in celebration of their series-tying effort.

Roster Flights:
Additions: Former San Antonio goalie Rob Galatiuk was added to the Bats' playoff roster at the end of the season. Serving only in an emergency capacity, Galatiuk dressed but did not play in Game Two on Saturday.

Deletions: Bats forward Bobby Brown remains on call-up assignment with Houston of the American Hockey League, with whom he is under contract. Brown has 4 assists in 19 games with the Aeros. It is still not known when Brown will return.

Comments From The Coach:
On last week: "It's amazing how the series has gone this year, and so far in the playoffs. The way we played down there-that's the way they played up here. Even though both wins came on the road, I think the better team won both nights. I thought we were outstanding on Friday, and I think in the first game, their emotions got to them a little bit. They settled down a bit in the second game."

"We didn't get some calls in the second game, but there's a difference in officiating from night to night, and you've got to work to get penalties called. We can't rely on our power play anyway. We have to play with a hunger, and get it done even strength. It's unfortunate that our number one goalie was sick, because he'd been on a roll, and played great in the first game. He played with confidence and made some big saves for us. Maybe it's for the best, and he'll be just as focused now that he's back."

On this week: "We've been working on our four-on-four play this week. We had two goals scored against us four-on-four in the second game that were big turning points, and we had a couple breakdowns there. Even though there's a lot of time between games, it's at that time of year where there's not a lot you can work on. It's down to how much the guys want it and come out to play. And it's a matter of getting a few breaks."

"His Honor" System: Even the mayors of Austin and San Antonio have gotten involved in the intensity of the Bats-Iguanas rivalry. Austin Mayor Gus Garcia and San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza announced a wager on the outcome of the series. Whichever team loses the series, that city's mayor will preside over his next City Council meeting wearing the other team's jersey. (What, you were expecting the bet to include Tex-Mex?)

Cave, Sweet Cave: The only WPHL team to pass the 1-million mark in lifetime attendance, the Bats won the league attendance title four times in five seasons, averaging 5,350 fans per home contest last year.

Again, the Bats ranked among the CHL leaders in attendance this season, finishing second with nearly 5,000 fans per home game. Tickets for Games Three of the Southern Conference Semifinals are on sale at the Ice Bats office, or through all Star Ticket locations, including Austin-area Albertson's stores. Fans may charge by phone at (512) 927-PUCK. Discounted rates apply to groups of 15 people or more.

Doing Our Part: During Friday's game, the Ice Bats will present a check to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Austin, representing proceeds from an auction of game-worn jerseys sponsored by the Texas Dodge Dealers. Through Ice Bats Children's Charities, the team has given over $6,000 in cash and ticket donations to that worthy cause.

In the Air: All Ice Bats playoff games will be broadcast on "The Juice," 1370AM, presented by State Farm Insurance. The Texas Dodge Dealers Warm-up Show begins 20 minutes prior to opening face-off. The broadcast is also available on the worldwide web, through the Ice Bats website. Ice Bats Director of Broadcasting, Media/PR Glen Norman is in his fourth busy season providing all the play-by-play action.

Bats in Cyberspace: Bats fans can learn the latest about their team by logging on to www.icebats.com. The official website of the Bats was designed and built by Syndetic Design.

Currently on the site, fans may vote for their favorite players in the Texas Dodge Dealers Post-Season Player Awards. Ice Bats players will be given awards in six categories, including "Fans' Favorite," at a banquet following the season.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2002


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