
Ice Bats home to start new week
February 7, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
THIS WEEK: Wed., Feb. 8th, 7:30pm, vs. Memphis RiverKings, at Travis County Expo Center, Austin, Texas Fri., Feb. 10th, 7:35pm, vs. Oklahoma City Blazers, at Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Okla. Sat., Feb. 11th, 7:30pm, vs. Amarillo Gorillas, at Travis County Expo Center, Austin, Texas Sun., Feb. 12th, 4:00pm, vs. Youngstown Steelhounds, at Travis County Expo Center, Austin, Texas
Setting the Stage: The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League are 21-19-3 on their 10th-Anniversary 2005-06 season. Posting a torrid 11-2-1 record in 2006, the Ice Bats have moved into sole possession of second place in the CHL's Southeast Division race, and currently hold the third of four playoff positions in the Southern Conference. The Ice Bats play four games this week, three of them at home. The Bats will host Memphis Wednesday, then after a Friday game at Oklahoma City, will return for home games against Amarillo and Youngstown.
A look back: The Ice Bats swept a home-and-home series against Fort Worth last week, before having a nine-game winning streak snapped at Odessa. On Thursday, the Bats won their eighth straight game, 2-1 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Julius Halfkenny's goal midway through the third period pushed the Ice Bats into a second-place tie in the Southeast Division race. The Ice Bats scored the only goal of the first, winger John McNabb centering to Julian Smith for a tap-in power play goal at 15:16. Forward Mike Tucciarone's bid to make it 2-0 clanged off the right post moments later. The Brahmas tied the score after Fort Worth goalie Larry Sterling made the saves of the game. Sterling stoned McNabb's shorthanded breakaway attempt and two follow-up swipes by center Aaron Davis. The Brahmas stormed back the other way for a Mike O'Sullivan power play goal, scored low through a screen from the left circle. Halkenny threaded in a shot from the point with 10:28 remaining, and the Ice Bats held off the Brahmas the rest of the way. Bats goalie Miguel Beaudry made 24 saves to record his sixth straight victory.
Last Friday, the Ice Bats won their ninth straight game, a 4-3 overtime thriller over Fort Worth at the Travis County Expo Center. Bats defenseman Darryl McArthur scored the game winner 3:49 into OT. Fort Worth goalie Andrew Martin kept his team in it early, and the Brahmas opened up a 2-0 lead on a pair of Wes Mason goals-- even strength late in the first period, and on the power play late in the second. Just 41 seconds after Mason's second goal, the Bats got on the board on a Mike Tucciarone score. Tucciarone swept up a loose puck behind the net, skated out in front and roofed it at 15:52. Fort Worth's Matt Reynolds restored a two-goal lead early in the third, before the Ice Bats began their comeback. Winger Dan Carney scored with six minutes remaining, and the Ice Bats got the equalizer in the final minute. Already on the power play, Austin coach Bill McDonald pulled goalie Matt Barnes for an extra attacker, and off a face-off win, defenseman Jonathan Jolette buried the tying goal from the high slot with 44 seconds remaining in regulation. A costly tripping penalty on Fort Worth's Konrad Brand in overtime put the Bats on the power play once again, and again they cashed in. McArthur ripped the game-winner through traffic from the point to send the crowd of 3,329 into jubilation. With the victory and Rio Grande Valley's loss at Laredo, the Ice Bats moved into sole possession of second place in the Southeast Division.
On Saturday, Odessa's Matt Cressman scored a hat trick, including the game winner with 64 seconds remaining, as the Jackalopes snapped the Ice Bats' nine-game winning streak, 5-4. The seesaw loss kept the Ice Bats from equaling a franchise record of ten straight victories. The Jackalopes piled up shots on Austin goalie Miguel Beaudry in the first 15 minutes, but the Ice Bats got the only goal of the period. Defenseman Aaron Schneekloth centered to a trailing Britt Dougherty for Dougherty's first pro goal at 16:33. A potential tying rebound goal by Odessa's Jeff Ewasko was waved off at the first period buzzer by referee Steve Cruickshank. The Jacks outshot the Bats 16-8 in the period. Odessa tied the score twice in the second, but the Bats retook the lead each time. Cressman scored a power play goal between Beaudry's legs 2:29 into the period. Moments after Beaudry made a blocker save to rob John Kozoriz on a shorthanded breakaway bid, the Bats retook the lead on an Aaron Davis power play goal. Cressman retied the score on another power play goal at 12:41, but the Ice Bats retook the lead on a contested goal. Bats forward Dan Carney jammed a rebound under Mike Gorman as the Odessa goalie attempted to cover it, and Cruickshank ruled it valid. Early in the third, Odessa's Mike Carter tied the score again, but 63 seconds later, Davis rebounded a Julius Halfkenny shot behind the net and flipped it in to produce the fourth Austin lead. The Jacks retied the count on a Kozoriz power play goal, and the teams skated into the final minutes even at four. Odessa's Sebastien Thinel centered back to Cressman on the left circle for the winner at 18:56, and the Bats were unable to get the equalizer in the final minute. The Jackalopes, who pumped in four power play goals in a blowout win over the Ice Bats in late December, scored three more Saturday on five chances. Thinel and Dominic Leveille added three assists each to Cressman's hat trick. Davis' two goals led Austin scoring.
Single Purpose: The Ice Bats won the last five games of their nine-game win streak by a single goal, before falling by one on Saturday. On the season, the Bats are 13-3-3 in games decided by one goal.
Player Plaudits: With a 5-0-1 mark and 1.93 GAA in January, Ice Bats goalie Miguel Beaudry was named Sher-wood CHL Goalie of the Month. Beaudry is now 7-4-1 with a 2.54 GAA in 12 Ice Bats appearances. Winger John McNabb ranks among the top 20 league scorers with 22 goals and 25 assists. Forward Aaron Davis (31 points) is second on the team in scoring. And Mike Tucciarone is fifth among all rookie scorers with 28 points, ranking second among first-year players in goals (18). Among the hottest Ice Bats is center Jeff Neufeld, with 19 points over his last 15 games. Darryl McArthur ranks among the top 15 defensemen with 24 points.
Czech-ing In: Ice Bats goalie Miroslav Kopriva, called up to AHL Houston on ----January 13th, stopped 21 of 23 shots faced Tuesday afternoon in a 3-2 win over Milwaukee. Kopriva has allowed just four goals total in three wins since his most recent recall to Houston, upping his record with the Aeros to 4-1 with a 2.64 GAA in six appearances.
Potential Bite Victims: Despite an 18-21-2 record, Memphis is in 2nd place in the Northeast. The RiverKings have won three in a row, thanks in large measure to winger Don Parsons heating up, and some solid goaltending from Michael Dilorenzo. Perennial MVP candidate Parsons has taken over the team scoring lead with 26 goals and 29 assists, and Derek Landmesser leads defensemen with 52 points. Three others top the 40-point mark. Former Ice Bat Sheldon Wenzel leads the team with 177 penalty minutes. The RiverKings aren't great defensively, allowing about 3-1/2 goals per game, but Parsons and Landmesser make their living on the power play, a unit that ranks third in the league (18.6%). Dilorenzo now ranks 7th at 9-4-1 with a 2.79 GAA, spelling Guy St. Vincent (8-11-1, 3.18 GAA). 7-13-1 as a road team, the âKings have won three straight away from home.
Although 11 points behind Colorado, Oklahoma City has a good chance to rejoin the CHL Playoff party. At 26-17-2, the Blazers are in second in arguably the league's toughest division. The explosive Blazers rank second in the CHL offensively, scoring 3.8 goals per game, and are in the top four in both specialty teams categories. Top 10 scorer Michel Beausoleil has 25 goals and 31 assists, and former Ice Bat Jared Dumba (18 goals, 31 assists) recently cracked the top 20. Forward Marty Standish (21 goals, 23 assists) is third on the squad. Tied for most wins, goaltender Sean Connors (20-11-2, 3.23 GAA) is option A and B for veteran Head Coach Doug Sauter. Third in average penalty time (just over 30 minutes per game), if the Blazers were chippy two weeks ago in Austin, imagine what they're like at home. 15-6-1 as the home team, the Blazers host Lubbock Tuesday, then Austin Friday.
Amarillo will be looking to get back in front of the Bats in the Conference standings, coming in this week 20-17-3, but ten points behind Odessa in the Southwest. The league's top scorer, Derek Hahn has 29 goals and 48 assists. Added around Thanksgiving, forward Scott Wray has 21 goals and 26 assists in just 28 games. Rich Hansen (33 points) ranks third among rookies, and veteran d-man Mark DeSantis has 32 points, including 7 power play goals. Coach Joe Ferras is trying to add depth beyond his top line, and this week welcomed back forward Dan Donnette, who spent most of this season playing in Korea. Goaltending falls to Shawn Degagne (13-10-2, 3.24 GAA) and Jamie Vandespyker (7-7-1, 2.98 GAA). 5-10-3 as a road team, Amarillo makes a Southeast swing through Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley and Austin this week.
At 16-25-2, Youngstown snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-4 shootout win at Tulsa Tuesday afternoon. The expansion Steelhounds depend heavily on former NHL forward Jeff Christian. Christian leads the league in goals and ranks second in overall scoring with 39 goals, 25 assists, including 17 power play goals. Top six scorer Chris Richards (a former Ice Bat) just keeps feeding Christian the puck, amassing 60 points. Center Darryl Lloyd (29 points) just earned a recent call-up, while mid-season signee Jonathan Gagnon has 27 points in 29 games. David St. Germain (12-8-2, 3.33) handles the bulk of the goaltending, trying to improve his team's defensive fortunes. Youngstown ranks 14th defensively, allowing over 3-1/2 goals per game. 7-13-1 as a road team, Youngstown is on another long trip, at Memphis, Oklahoma City and Austin this weekend.
The Series: The Ice Bats are 6-5 lifetime in regular season play against Memphis, with the teams splitting a pair of games this year. Austin goalie Matt Barnes turned in a 51-save effort to boost the Bats over the RiverKings, 1-0 November 26th in Austin. The âKings won 4-1 December 20th in Memphis.
The Bats are 9-1 lifetime against Oklahoma City, winning 3-2 in a shootout in the only meeting this season, January 28th in Austin. The Bats' only loss in the series came last year at Oklahoma City.
Austin is 17-9-3 lifetime against Amarillo, 1-1 this year. The Bats lost 5-3 November 25th, then won 4-1 January 20th, with both games played at Amarillo.
The Ice Bats will face expansion Youngstown for the first time ever this Sunday.
Comments From the Coach: On Last Week: "I thought we played with a lot of energy and work ethic, but so did Fort Worth. I give them credit. In the game here, the goalie Martin kept them ahead, and it didn't look very good with about eight minutes to go. But we played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm over the last seven minutes, and pulled out a win. We were a bit of a tired hockey club Saturday, and made some untimely mistakes at Odessa. But with two minutes to go, we had a chance to pull out at least a point anyway, so the effort was there. It's a loss-- we haven't had to experience that in awhile. We learn from it and move on."
On This Week: "Playing four in five nights this week will be a grind, so we'll watch how we practice and how long. We'll probably spend more time on video work than on the ice. Memphis has been on a roll of late, and Oklahoma City will be a huge game and a test for sure. Then we'll see against Amarillo and Youngstown. We'll be coming off the road, but they'll be finishing long road swings too. If we stick with the system, we'll be fine. Teams that win with this kind of schedule are teams that win in the playoffs."
Cave, Sweet Cave: The Ice Bats will try to build on an eight-game home winning streak this week. Saturday, free trading card sets go to 3,000 fans. Sunday, a free post-game skate with Ice Bats players follows the contest. Tickets for Ice Bats home games are on sale now through the Ice Bats office at 927-PUCK, or at any Texas Box Office location, including all Austin-area HEB stores. For on-line orders, fans may visit www.TexasBoxOffice.com or www.GetTix.Net. To charge by phone, fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at 927-PUCK, Texas Box Office at (512) 477-6060, or Get Tix at 1-866-4-Get Tix. Individual game tickets range in price from $11 to $35, depending on section, with discounted rates for groups of 15 or more. In addition to individual game tickets and group outings, season tickets and corporate partnerships are currently available for the upcoming season, with full-season, half-season and 10-game ticket packages on sale now. Fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com for more information.
In the Air: Once again, all Ice Bats away games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio, 1530 on the AM dial. The station will broadcast all road games during the 2005-06 regular season and CHL Playoffs. The games will also be available on-line, through the station website at www.espnaustin.com. The Bud Light Warm-up Show begins 20 minutes prior to game time. Ice Bats VP of Broadcasting, Media/PR Glen Norman will handle play-by-play duties for an eighth straight season.
Bats in Cyberspace: Bats fans can learn the latest about their team by logging on to www.icebats.com. Home or away, Bats fans can also follow the action with real-time scoring on the website, courtesy of Pointstreak.com. Fans will be able to access a game box score in real-time, as well as those of all other CHL games being played.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2006
- Ice Bats home to start new week - Austin Ice Bats
- Graham Powers Lubbock's Buss Through Oklahoma City 5-2 - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Mudbugs squeeze past Rayz 3-2 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- RiverKings update - Mississippi RiverKings
- Amarillo Announces Return of Winger Dan Donnette - Amarillo Gorillas
- Laredo Bucks Out For Blood February 14th - Laredo Bucks
- SteelHounds rally to upend Oilers in shootout - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Cotton Kings on the Road - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Brahmas At Buffalo Wild Wings - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Oilers, SteelHounds Meet - Tulsa Oilers
- School Day Game Highlights Week - Tulsa Oilers
- Cotton Kings Win Points, Lose Shootouts - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Parsons Named Player of the Week - Mississippi RiverKings
- Cotton Kings Weekly Notes - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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