Defining Weekend Awaits the Ice Bats
February 28, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - Saturday's 6:00 PM head shaving and $10,000 Komen donation event will be entertaining for the Central Hockey League's Austin Ice Bats and their fans...but other business also waits on the ice for the Bats.
Friday - Ice Bats vs. Amarillo Gorillas
7:35 PM, Chaparral Ice Arena
Friday's battle against the Amarillo Gorillas has shaped up to be the marquee match of the weekend for the Ice Bats. Austin currently leads Amarillo by a point for the final playoff spot in the CHL's Southern Conference, but that could change tonight. Amarillo is hosting Arizona, and should the Gorillas win that game, they will be the ones with the one point playoff lead heading into Friday's game vs. the Ice Bats.
Along with the playoff implications, Ice Bats forward Ted Vandermeer will step onto the ice to face his brother Bill for just the second time in their lives. Bill Vandermeer leads the Gorillas in assists on the year (31) and is tied for the team lead in points (58). Growing up, Bill and Ted always played on the same team, but on January 20th this season that changed. The Ice Bats topped the Gorillas in their only other meeting this year, 5-1, and Ted Vandermeer led the way for the Bats with two goals and an assist.
Saturday - Ice Bats vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
7:35 PM, Chaparral Ice Arena
Saturday will be the first of four March meetings between the Bees and Bats. Austin is 5-2 vs. Rio Grande this year, including a 5-3 road win in their previous meeting. Brendan Cook was the highlight of that night scoring the Bats first Hat Trick of the year. The Killer Bees currently have the worst record in the CHL at 12-32-7. Ice Bats forwards Dan Veenema and RG Flath, plus goalie Doug Groenestege will shave their heads at 6:00 PM before the game in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The Ice Bats are donating a check for $10,000 to Komen after raising the money throughout the past week.
Sunday - Ice Bats @ Texas Brahmas
With the hype surrounding Friday's game vs. Amarillo, not much attention has been given to another in-state rival, the Texas Brahmas. Four games have been played this year between Austin and the Brahmas. Three were decided by a goal, and the Bats are 1-3 vs. Texas this season. But that lone win came in the previous meeting between the two teams when Austin topped Texas, 3-2, on January 25th. The Brahmas are in a playoff race of their own, as they are one point out of the last playoff spot in the Northern Conference. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com starting at 3:00 PM.
Bat Droppings
- The Ice Bats top forward line of Brendan Cook, Mike Bartlett, and Ted Vandermeer has scored a combined 36 points in the last 10 games. 17 goals, 19 assists.
- Miguel Beaudry has made a strong case to be the CHL Goalie of the Month for February. Beaudry is 5-3 in eight appearances this month, recording a 1.87 Goals Against Avg. and a .944 Save Percentage.
- The Ice Bats faced Southeast Division teams seven times in February, and outscored their opponent 28-16 in those games. Austin is currently second in the Southeast Division with 45 points on the year.
- Among CHL Defensemen, Jason Tessier is tied for sixth in Power Play Goals (8) and Power Play Assists (17).
- Among CHL Rookies, Mike Bartlett is tied for sixth with 17 goals this year.
- Austin is the only team in the CHL yet to have a game decided in overtime this year. The Ice Bats have been tied at the end of regulation six times, and gone to a shootout each game. Austin has won five of those shootouts (5-1).
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.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2008
- Special Teams the Difference in Rage's 4-1 Loss - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Sundogs Down Gorillas 6-5 - Amarillo Gorillas
- Sundogs Regain Sole Possession of First Place - Arizona Sundogs
- RiverKings Prepared For Important Weekend - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings To Highlight DeSoto Animal Rescue Society At Game On Friday - Mississippi RiverKings
- Join Rayz For Two Home Games This Week - Corpus Christi IceRays
- "Defend Youngstown" Night This Friday - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Defining Weekend Awaits the Ice Bats - Austin Ice Bats
- RiverKings Visit Vance Middle School - Mississippi RiverKings
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