Cotton Kings at Austin Road Game Preview
October 27, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
10/27/06 - LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS (1-0-0) @ AUSTIN ICE BATS (1-0-0) - 7:30 PM CHAPARRAL ICE CENTER RADIO- KOOL 98.1 FM
GOING FOR TWO
A pair of unbeaten teams face-off in Austin, as the Lubbock Cotton Kings (1-0-0) and the Austin Ice Bats (1-0-0) each look to remain winless on the season. Lubbock is seeking a win for a 2-0-0 start, which is something the franchise has never been able to accomplish in the seven year history. The road game is the first road game of the season for the Kings, and it is their first venture to the Chaparral Ice Center in Austin. Lubbock will continue their road trip Saturday in Odessa.
THE SERIES
Lubbock faces Austin for the 23rd time all-time and holds a 10-8-4 all-time record against the Bats, while Austin holds a 12-8-2 series advantage. The all-time leading scorer in the series is former Austin forward Dan Price, who has 22 points (9g,13a), while Lubbock's all-time leader is former King Jan Melichercik, who had 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 19 games.
THE LAST TIME
12/28/05 - The Lubbock Cotton Kings held off the Austin Ice Bats for a 3-2 victory at the Travis County Expo Center.
Lubbock came out strong in the opening period and controlled the first period tempo, out-shooting the Bats 16-8 and out-scoring them 2-0 in the frame. Mike Brolsma started it off for the Kings converting on an Emery Olauson rebound in the left slot past Bats goaltender Miguel Beaudry 8:48 into the contest. Kyle Nosan extended the lead to 2-0 3:18 later in the left circle by redirecting a fling by Stacy Bauman past a bewildered Beaudry.
The Cotton Kings defense was solid in the opening period, but the defense in the second period assisted a pair of Ice Bats goals. A Kings turnover in the neutral zone led to a breakaway by Dave MacIntyre. The former Kings forward could not convert on the breakaway, as Lance Leslie made the save, but Julian Smith picked up the rebound and put it into the net 8:06 into the period, cutting the Kings lead to 2-1. Olauson helped the Kings regain their two-goal lead 1:12 later as Brolsma pulled Beaudry out of position behind the net and fed the puck to Olauson in the left slot, who fired the puck past the scrambling Beaudry. The second Kings defensive collapse came with 3:43 remaining in the second period with Kings defenseman Ryan Moren grabbing a loose puck in the slots and inadvertently flinging it into his own net, as he was trying to send it into the corner.
The mishap did not end up hurting the Kings, as they survived the final 20-minutes and kept the Bats off the scoreboard to hold for the victory. They also completed the task while the Bats pulled Beaudry for the extra attacker on a power play to have a six-on-four advantage for the final 1:19 of the game. It was a relief as the Kings blew a 4-1 lead in their prior trip to Austin earlier in the season.
Special teams did not see much action in the game, as Lubbock was 0 for 1 on their power play opportunities and Austin was 0 for 2. Leslie earned the win in net, stopping 34 of 36 shots on goal. Beaudry suffered the loss stopping 26 of 29 shots.
ROSTER CHANGES
Lubbock's J.F. Perras and Ross McCain were added to the active roster Wednesday and will be with the Kings on their road trip. Austin added a new member to the roster Wednesday as well with the addition of defenseman Chad McIver.
STANDINGS
Kings - 2 points, T1st place, 2 points back, Southwest Division.
Ice Bats - 2 points, T1st place, Southeast Division.
TEAM LEADERS
Kings - Points: 3 Philippe Lacasse / Simon Watson, Goals: 2 Philippe Lacasse, Assists: 2 Simon Watson/Troy Neumeier, Penalty Minutes: 14 Paul McBrien.
Ice Bats - Points: 1 Several Tied, Goals: 1 Several Tied, Assists: 1 Several Tied, Penalty Minutes:17 Britt Daugherty.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kings - Power play: 12.5% 12th, Penalty killing: 75.0% 13th.
Ice Bats - Power play: 10.0% T13th, Penalty killing: 83.3% 10th.
GOALTENDERS
Kings - J.F. Perras (0-0-0, 0 SO, 0.00), Kyle Stanton (1-0-0, 0 SO, 2.77).
Ice Bats - Miguel Beaudry(1-0-0, 0 SO, 1.85), Kevin Couture (0-0-0, 0 SO, 0.00).
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