Ice Bats finish January winning 9 of 11
January 31, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - The Ice Bats have spent the last four years staying home during the CHL playoffs. With their 5-0 win over the Wichita Thunder, the Ice Bats closed out the month with a 9-2 record in January and one win (two points) away from playoff contention in the Southern Conference. The Ice Bats were 11 points out of contention when the new year began. The Corpus Christi Rayz currently occupy that fifth and final playoff spot in the CHL's Southern Conference.
In one month the Bats more than doubled their season win total (16) and that January success has been highlighted by goaltending and rookie play.
Goaltenders Miguel Beaudry and Doug Groenestege have combined for a 2.00 Goals Against Avg. and a .940 Save Percentage. Beaudry capped off the month with a 24 save, shutout performance against Wichita. It was the Bats first shutout this season, and Beaudry's fifth straight win between the pipes.
Offensively, Brendan Cook leads the team in goals (16), assists (19), and points (35). But the recent play of rookies Ted Vandermeer and Mike Bartlett has powered the Bats offense in their nine January wins. Vandermeer recorded 17 points during January, including 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in the last eight games.
Bartlett was acquired off waivers on December 12th. In his last eight games for the Bats, Bartlett has scored 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists).
The Bats have 23 games remaining on their schedule, including twelve at Chaparral Ice Arena. Five of those games are against Corpus Christi and Amarillo. Amarillo is the other team chasing Corpus for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference.
It's been four years since Austin has been in the CHL playoffs...the last time coach Brent Hughes spent a full season behind the bench. The Bats will play two games this weekend in New Mexico then return home for a pair of games vs. Laredo on February 8th and 9th.
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.
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