Bats Roll Into Playoffs With Win, Face New Mexico or Odessa on Monday
March 22, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - Saturday night at Chaparral Ice Arena was Fan Appreciation Night for Ice Bats fans as Austin hosted the Texas Brahmas. Both teams were already qualified for the Central Hockey League Playoffs, but neither club let that reduce the in-state rivalry that's existed throughout this season. It was an intense atmosphere in the building as both teams were looking to build momentum entering their first round matchups. Two goals by Austin's RG Flath powered the Bats offense to a 4-1 win, with the first round of the CHL Playoffs up next.
In the first period neither team could find the back of net as the Bats and Brahmas skated into the break with a 0-0 tie.
In the second, Austin got on the board when Mike Bartlett slipped a wrist shot from the top of the left circle past Texas goalie, David Cacciola. Ted Vandermeer and Brendan Cook had the assists on Bartlett's 19th of the season. Seconds later Cook made the best of a breakaway situation, scoring his 35th goal of the season past the outstretched leg of Cacciola. Vandermeer and Geoff Patton added the helpers on Cook's goal. Texas would answer back as Scott Sheppard scored his 28th goal of the year on a Brahmas power play. Grant Jacobsen and Blair Manning were given the assists on the goal. RG Flath put the Bats back up by two with a shorthanded goal to give him 19 this season. Flath caused a turnover in the middle of the Brahma zone and then slid the puck between the legs of Cacciola to make it a 3-1 Austin lead.
Austin kept attacking in the third as Flath added his second goal of the game, and his 20th this year. John Ronan was the assist man for Flath as the Bats made it 4-1. That's how it would end between the Bats and Brahmas as Austin won their season finale.
The Ice Bats head to the road to begin their first playoff series in five years when they take on either New Mexico or Odessa. Game one will be on Monday night at 8:15 PM local time if it's in New Mexico, or it will be at 7:05 PM local time if it's in Odessa. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. Game two will be on Wednesday at Chaparral Ice Arena at 7:35 PM. Tickets and updated information can be found at icebats.com or by calling 512-927-7825.
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.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2008
- Bugs End Regular Season With Win - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Gorillas Season Comes to a Close With 5-4 Loss - Amarillo Gorillas
- Rage's Season Comes to a Close - Rocky Mountain Rage
- End regular season with a loss - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bes Sets Another Record: Bucks Win Finale 6-2 - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings Beat Rayz 6-1 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Hounds sweep Eagles thanks to dramatic comeback - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Bats Roll Into Playoffs With Win, Face New Mexico or Odessa on Monday - Austin Ice Bats
- Rayz fall to Kings 6-1 in season finale - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Eagles Lose in Shootout, Earn Second Seed Anyway - Colorado Eagles
- Qwest Scorpions Fan Experience Winners - New Mexico Scorpions
- Bucks Close Out Regular Season Tonight In Rio - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Extend Win Streak to Eight Games with 7-4 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Mudbugs Red-Hot Powerplay Burns Brahmas - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rage Still Alive in Playoff Hunt - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Texas Stumbles In Bossier 7-1 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- RiverKings qualify for playoffs - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Clinch South With 8-2 Romp - Laredo Bucks
- Reeder Hat Trick Leads Scorps To Victory - New Mexico Scorpions
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
