Bats In The Playoffs
March 23, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - Monday night at 7:05 PM, the Central Hockey League's Ray Miron President's Cup Playoffs will begin for the Austin Ice Bats, making their first appearance since 2003. Austin will play their opening round series against the Odessa Jackalopes. Game one will be played at Odessa's Ector County Coliseum, game two is at Chaparral Ice Arena on Wednesday, and (if necessary) game three will be back in Odessa on Thursday night.
Regular Season Comparison
The Ice Bats and Odessa met four times in the regular season with the Jackalopes winning three of those contests. Austin's only win over Odessa came on November 17th when the Bats won a 5-4 shootout marathon. Jamie Thompson tied the game for the Ice Bats at 4-4 with just eight seconds remaining in regulation. Ice Bats goalie, Miguel Beaudry, willed Austin to victory in a 13 round shootout as Jason Tessier scored the game winning goal. All three Bats losses came on Odessa's home ice, and Austin was outscored 16-8 this year by the Jackalopes.
Playoff Matchup
Game 1 - Monday 7:05 PM, Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX
Game 2 - Wednesday 7:35 PM, Chaparral Ice Arena, Austin, TX
Game 3 - Thursday 7:05 PM, Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX (If Necessary)
All season long the Odessa Jackalopes have been led by the "French Connection" of Dominic Leveille (Luh-VY-yay) and Sebastien Thinel (Tuh-NEL). Leveille and Thinel have combined for 164 points (66 goals, 98 assists) in 64 games this season. The "French Connection" welcomed a third member on January 10th, when Olivier Proulx (Prew) signed with the Jackalopes. In 27 games this year Proulx has scored 12 goals and 24 assists (36 points).
At the back end of the ice, Odessa is anchored by Rookie Of The Year finalist, Alexandre Vincent. Vincent made 39 appearances this season, earning 21 wins and compiling a 2.79 Goals Against Avg. He also stopped 92.1% of the shots he faced this season.
On December 31st the Austin Ice Bats had one of the worst records in the Central Hockey League at 7-22-1. Since January 1st, however, the Bats have been one of the CHL's best going 22-11-1 in 2008. The Bats offense has been highlighted by the play of rookies Mike Bartlett, Ted Vandermeer, and RG Flath. All three have scored a combined 133 points (56 goals, 77 assists) this year for Austin...which allowed Brendan Cook to put up career numbers leading the Ice Bats in goals (35) and points (64). Cook is only the second Ice Bats player to record a 30-goal season in the last five years.
Goaltending has been a constant for the Ice Bats all season long with the play of Miguel Beaudry. Despite not having the best numbers in the first 30 games this year, Beaudry's first half highlight was his heroic play in that 13-round shootout win over Odessa in November. Just like the Bats in the standings, Beaudry has surged up the CHL's Goaltending Leaders during the season's second half finishing the year with a 2.68 Goals Against Avg. (6th in CHL), 22 wins (6th in CHL), and a .920 Save Percentage (4th in CHL). Doug Groenestege has filled in nicely as well for the Bats with a 2.89 GAA and a .916 SV% in 16 appearances since joining Austin back in December.
Monday's game one can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com with pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 PM. Tickets for Wednesday's game two are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com. If game three is needed it will be played Thursday in Odessa, and can be heard again on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.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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Central Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2008
- Brahmas Begin Playoffs Tomorrow In Mississippi - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bats In The Playoffs - Austin Ice Bats
- 2008 Ray Miron President's Cup Playoff Schedule Released - CHL
- Northern Conference Semi-Finals Schedule Complete - Colorado Eagles
- Scorpions Come From Behind In Third Period - New Mexico Scorpions
- Sundogs Close Out 2007-08 Regular Season with Ninth-Straight Win - Arizona Sundogs
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