Blazers blank Ice
by Mike Wallin
November 5, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Playing a late-morning game in front of a large contingent of Indianapolis Public School students, the Indianapolis Ice came away shooting blanks after a 3-0 defeat by the Oklahoma City Blazers. The loss evens the Ice season record at 3-3-1, although six of the first seven games have been at home.
"I am not going to accept a .500 hockey team," said Ice coach Ken McRae. "It will be a very long year for the guys in this room if this continues. I can't score the goals for them. I can't battle in the corner for them. I can't go to the net for them."
McRae's frustration is continuing to mount after witnessing his Ice score just three goals in the last three games. Indianapolis has no players with four goals, nine points or any skater in the Cntreal Hockey League's top twenty-five in scoring. Making matters even more frustrating is the enemic power-play which hasn't scored a goal in thirty one chances.
"We're trying to be too fancy on the power-play," said Bernie John. "Sometimes we don't finish well in practice and maybe that same effort and attitude is carrying over into the games."
Ryan Campbell scored twice while Marty Standish added a goal for the 6-4 Blazers. Oklahoma City received stellar play in net from Sean Conners who stopped all 38 Indianapolis shots. Conners kept his string of no goals allowed intact, as the stretch now stands at 138:13.
Jeff Sanger turned aside 28 Oklahoma City shots while seeing his 2003-2004 record fall to 2-3. Rookie netminder Brent Zelenewich was scheduled to start Wednesday's game but sat out due to a deep thigh bruise.
The Ice will remian at home, hosting the 7-1 Memphis RiverKings this Friday and Saturday nights.
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.
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- Blazers blank Ice - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
