Bats "Mull-et" over Tough Weekend

Published on January 21, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release


Setting the Stage: The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League have begun defense of their Governors' Cup title, opening the 2003-04 CHL season with a 17-16-5 record. The Ice Bats will return to action from the All-Star break still in second place, leading Rio Grande Valley by one point and Corpus Christi by six points in the Southeast Division standings. The Ice Bats open up post-All-Star play with a tough weekend-- Friday at home against league-leading Laredo, Saturday at Rio Grande Valley, and back home Sunday to host Fort Worth.

Last season, the Ice Bats earned a franchise-best 46-14-4 record, clinching their second straight Southeast Division title and the Governors' Cup for the league's top overall regular season record.

Defeating New Mexico and Laredo in the 2003 President's Cup Playoffs, the Bats earned their second straight Southern Conference crown and a berth in the Cup Finals. There, however, for the second straight year, the Ice Bats fell one step short of the CHL's ultimate prize, falling to the Memphis RiverKings in five games.

A look back: The Ice Bats split a pair of home games last week. In one of their most dominating defensive performances, the Ice Bats shut down Rio Grande Valley for a 2-0 divisional win last Friday. The Bats took it to the Killer Bees physically right out of the gate. Among the bombs the Bats dropped on the Bees, Austin's Gerald Tallaire buried Rio Grande's Justin Van Parys into his own bench on a first period check.

The Ice Bats outshot the Bees 10-4 in the opening period, but the first score didn't come until early in the third. Newcomer Jaroslav Jabrocky poked the puck away from Killer Bees goalie Jeff Levy near the side of the net. Knocked down on a wraparound attempt, Jabrocky stayed with the play, scoring on a backhand swipe along the ice.

The Bats' Daniel Tetrault scored an empty net goal late, and goalie Jonathan Forest stopped all 17 shots faced to make it stand up for his second shutout of the season.

Last Saturday, however, Lubbock stormed in and claimed a 6-3 win on Austin ice. The Bats' Brent Hughes opened scoring midway through the first period, but after that, the breaks swung in the other direction. Lubbock defenseman Jerry Galway glanced in the tying score off the post from the right point, the first of five unanswered Lubbock scores.

The Cotton Kings added goals from Chris Duggan and Craig Binns in the second, and Lubbock's Joe Blaznek scored a controversial power play goal at the buzzer. Although the green light came on at the buzzer ahead of the red light, referee Paul DePuydt ruled the puck had entered the net before the buzzer sounded. Protesting the decision, Austin Coach Jeff Greenlaw was issued a bench minor and game misconduct, and Duggan scored on the ensuing power play to open the third period.

Down 5-1 two minutes into the third, the Ice Bats didn't give up. Shawn Legault scored midway through the period, and Hughes scored an extra-skater power play goal with two minutes left. But Paul Fioroni's empty net goal wrapped up scoring for Lubbock in the final minute.

The Bats outshot the Cotton Kings 50-24 for the game, but the ‘Kings scored on three of four power play attempts. Still, all was not lost as country-rock band "Reckless Kelly" opened up the "Crown Royal Concert Series," performing after the game for the season-high crowd of 6,739.

All-Stars: Ice Bats forward Gerald Tallaire and defenseman Daniel Tetrault have been named as reserves for the Southern Conference squad at Thursday's Dodge CHL All-Star Game. For the veteran Tallaire, the team's top scorer, it will be his first All-Star appearance. Tetrault will be making his third appearance as an Ice Bat, having appeared in the 2001 WPHL All-Star Game as a rookie, and then as a starter in the 2002 CHL All-Star Game.

Prior to Thursday's game, the Comcast Skills Competition will take place. Tallaire will participate in the "Rapid Fire" competition, while both Austin representatives will take part in the "Breakaway Relay" competition.

Roster Flights: Arrivals: Last Friday, the Ice Bats signed second-year forward Jaroslav Jabrocky to contract and added him to the roster. Jabrocky, from Slovakia, played with Laredo and Corpus Christi last year as a rookie, then scored nine points in 32 games with Corpus this season. He was released by the Rayz January 8th, and scored a goal in his first game with the Bats last Friday.

Departures: To make room for Jabrocky on the roster, the Ice Bats released forward Chris Legg, who had two assists in 17 games with Austin this year.

Wounded Wings: Ice Bats defenseman Scott McCallum has missed the last four games to injury. He's listed as questionable to return this week.

Player Plaudits: Ice Bats goalie Jonathan Forest ranks among the top ten league goalies, at 13-9-4, with a 2.40 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. Forward Gerald Tallaire leads the team in scoring with 9 goals and 28 assists, while Brett Seguin is second with 36 points. Brent Hughes leads all CHL rookies with a team-most 19 goals, to go along with 9 assists. Forward Shawn Legault ranks 2nd in the league with 190 penalty minutes.

Potential Bite Victims: Laredo can be described as a AAA-level team masquerading in CHL colors. The Bucks, 33-5-2, threaten to lap the league. Laredo has a 29-point lead in the division, and a 12-point spread in the race for the Governors' Cup. And they've won nine straight, after an 11-1 demolition of Lubbock in the final game before the All-Star break. The Bucks lead the league on offense (4.3 goals per game), defense (2.1 average goals allowed), the power play (24.5%), penalty kill (90.1%) and penalty minutes (28.6 average minutes). The Bucks' top line of Jeff Bes, Brent Cullaton and Chris Grenville brings back memories of the Ice Bats' "S-T-P Line" of old. Bes leads the league in scoring with 23 goals and 56 assists. Cullaton's right behind him with 25 goals and 47 assists. Bes has scored in 15 straight games, Cullaton in 13 straight. And Grenville ranks 6th in the league in scoring (2nd in goals) with 26 goals and 25 assists, including 11 power play goals. Grenville, who this week is expecting the birth of his second child, will sit out the All-Star Game and has been replaced with Patrik Nilson (19 goals, 26 assists). Goalies David Guerrera (18-3, 1.94 GAA) and Marco Emond (15-2-2, 2.04 GAA) represent two of the league's top three netminders. Laredo is 13-4-1 as a road team.

Rio Grande Valley might be good enough to make the playoffs, but needs offensive help to really make a push. The Killer Bees are 16-17-6, one point behind Austin, and they've won just twice in their last ten outings. Rio Grande continues to rank last in the league offensively, averaging 2.28 goals per game. The key to beating the Bees could well be to slow down speedy Bill Newson, who leads the team with 20 goals and 12 assists. Matic Kralj is second in team scoring with 11 goals and 13 helpers. Most of the pressure has fallen squarely on the shoulders of the two goalies, Jeff Levy (14-12-4, 2.42 GAA) and Jacque Vezina (2-5-2, 2.79 GAA). Fourth in the league in minutes, Levy can especially use the All-Star break off to reenergize. Just 8-8-5 at home, Rio Grande Valley hosts its first two games out of the break, against Corpus Christi and Austin.

It's too early for Fort Worth to start selling playoff tickets, but the Brahmas are sure making things interesting. 12-21-6 overall, the Brahmas are 10-6-3 under Coach Al Sims, and had won three in a row before losing to Oklahoma City last Saturday. Veteran Chad Woollard leads the team with 14 goals and 18 assists. Center Aaron Davis has chipped in 13 goals and 15 assists. Forward Derrell Upton and former Ice Bat Joey Bastien have been nice additions, each scoring 15 points in 17 games with the Brahmas. Now Fort Worth is hoping that workhorse goalie Brent Belecki, obtained last week from Corpus Christi, is the final piece to making life miserable for their Northern Conference rivals. Belecki's overall record is 10-15-3, with a 3.21 GAA, but he's capable of much better. Fort Worth is 5-9-3 on the road. They'll travel to Odessa for a game Friday, then take a rare Saturday off.

The Series: The Ice Bats are 8-7-1 lifetime against Laredo, 1-4-1 this year. Although blitzed in three losses at Laredo, the Bats are 1-1-1 at home against the Bucks.

The Bats are 3-4 in their first year of play against Rio Grande Valley. The Bats have won three of the four meetings in Austin, but have managed a single goal total in three losses in Hidalgo.

Austin is 40-17-1 lifetime against Fort Worth, but the Brahmas have given them fits this year. The Bats edged the Brahmas 2-1 November 22nd in Austin, then suffered 7-5 and 4-1 losses in Fort Worth.

Comments from the Coach: On last week: "I thought the guys worked hard in both games last week. We played an excellent game Friday against Rio Grande Valley. Saturday, we let in some soft goals, and we certainly didn't get any breaks from the officiating. That's the way that goes sometimes. We have this weekend to look forward to."

On this week: "It'll be a tough test. We have the best team in the league here on Friday in Laredo. Rio Grande Valley is a team we're battling for a playoff spot, and we have to find a way to break through there. Then we have a jog back for a quick turnaround against a red-hot Fort Worth team. It'll be a test for us. We have our sights set on winning at least two of the three."

Cave, Sweet Cave: Friday night is "Mullet Night," as the Ice Bats face Laredo. Platinum Club tickets to a Dallas Stars game will be awarded in the "Best Mullet" contest, and fans are invited to have their picture taken in the "Mullet-izer." In addition, one lucky fan will shoot to win a new Ram pickup in the Dodge "Score-O" contest. The Austin Girls Choir will perform the National Anthem, and the Lanier High School and Burnet Middle School bands will perform, as part of Austin Community College's "Marching Band Series."

Sunday is Time Warner Cable Family Day, as the Bats take on Fort Worth. Families may purchase a package of four tickets, Pepsis, hot dogs and a game program for just $49.99. A post-game skate with the Ice Bats follows the contest, courtesy of Chaparral Ice Center.

Tickets to all Ice Bats home games are now available at all Texas Box Office locations, including the Ice Bats ticket office and all Austin-area HEB stores. On-line ordering is available through www.TexasBoxOffice.com. To charge by phone, fans may call Texas Box Office at (512) 477-6060, or the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK.

Individual game tickets range in price from $10 to $30, depending on section, with discounted rates for groups of 15 or more. For more information, fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com.

Hit the Road, Jack: Fans may stop in at Henna Chevrolet to register to win a trip for two on the bus with the Ice Bats as they go to Fort Worth Sunday, February 29th. The top prize also includes premium seats to the game in Fort Worth, a team autographed jersey and hockey stick, and an official Ice Bats game program. Contestants must be 21 to enter. Henna Chevrolet is located on I-35 North, just north of Highway 183.

In the Air: For the second straight season, all Ice Bats away games will be broadcast on 1260 ESPN Radio, KWNX-AM. The station will broadcast all road games during the 2003-04 regular season and CHL Playoffs. All road games will also be available live on-line, through www.SportsJuice.com. The Texas Dodge Dealers Warm-up Show begins 20 minutes prior to game time. Ice Bats Director of Broadcasting, Media/PR Glen Norman will handle play-by-play duties for a sixth straight season.

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 newly re-designed by BeyondBeyond Design and constructed by webmaster Nathan Jones.

Home or away, Bats fans can also follow the action with real-time scoring on the website, courtesy of Pointstreak.com. Fans will be able to access a game box score in real-time, as well as those of all other CHL games being played.

THIS WEEK:

Thur., Jan. 22nd, 7:15pm, Dodge CHL All-Star Game, at Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Fri., Jan. 23rd, 7:30pm, vs. Laredo Bucks, at Travis County Expo Center, Austin, Texas

Sat., Jan. 24th, 7:35pm, vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, at Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas

Sun., Jan. 25th, 3:00pm, vs. Fort Worth Brahmas, at Travis County Expo Center, Austin, Texas

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2004


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