Ice Bats Schedule Released
August 9, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today released the team's schedule for the upcoming 2002-â03 CHL season. The defending League Southern Conference champions will play all 32 home games on weekendsâ13 on Friday nights, 11 on Saturday nights and eight on Sunday afternoons.
The Ice Bats will open the season on Friday, October 18th at the new Ford Center in Oklahoma City. The team's home opener at the newly-remodeled Travis County Expo Center will take place the next night, Saturday, October 19th, against the expansion Laredo Bucks.
"This year's schedule is great in that it serves everyone in our fan base," said Eve DeForest, Ice Bats Director of Ticket Sales. "The Friday and Saturday games are an exciting end to the work week. And with a 3:00 start time, our Sundays are ideal for families. We're really looking forward to making our eight Sunday dates family-friendly and perfect for bringing the kids out." "Because all the games are on weekends, it's much easier for fans to schedule their parties or group outings with us," DeForest said.
"Opening Night should be great, as we raise the Division and Conference championship banners. And with the recent improvements in the building, I think it'll be a really enjoyable year." For the coming season, improvements at the Travis County Expo Center will include all-new glass surrounding the rink, and climate control for the first time ever.
Entering their 7th season of play, their 2nd as members of the CHL, the Ice Bats will again compete in the League's Southeast Division. Division rivals Corpus Christi and San Angelo will be joined by Laredo, which replaces San Antonio, after the Iguanas ceased operations earlier this summer. The Bats will play Corpus Christi 11 times total, Laredo 10 times, and San Angelo six times. Due to a change in dates for the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, the Bats will not have to endure their traditional month-long road trip to end the season. The team's final home game will take place Saturday, March 8th against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. The Ice Bats will then finish the season with just four games on the road.
"It's more like a real hockey schedule this year," said Brent Hughes, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "We played 13 straight road games to finish the season last year. It's always a struggle to try to stay healthy and get ready for the playoffs in that situation. Now with most road trips just three or four games, it'll really even things out." "By the same token, I think it can give us even more of a home-ice advantage," Hughes said. "With all our home games crammed into five months instead of six, there were a lot of home games in a row, and it became easy to take for granted how big of an advantage we have playing at home. Now after a couple of games on the road, we know we're coming back home, where we have a great chance to win."
Season tickets and corporate partnerships for the 2002-03 Ice Bats season are on sale at the Ice Bats office. Season tickets are available in full season, 16-game and 10-game plans. Free Belfry Club membership is included with all full season packages, and free parking with all full season and 16-game plans. For more information, fans may call the Ice Bats Ticket Office at (512) 927-PUCK.
--
The Ice Bats will conduct the last of this summer's RollerBat roller hockey clinics this Saturday, August 10th, from 10am to noon, at Factory Mattress, 5601 Brodie Lane. The clinic is free of charge, and open to all children ages 6-15, accompanied by a parent or guardian. No pre-registration is necessary. Ice Bats players and coaches will conduct skills and safety demonstrations, and in-line hockey scrimmages. Participants are asked to bring their own in-line skates, stick and helmet. Additional equipment will be available on a limited basis.
For more information on the clinics, fans may call (512) 927-PUCK, or visit the team's website at www.icebats.com.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from August 9, 2002
- Waring, Patterson Sign On - Indianapolis Ice
- Ice Releases Schedule - Indianapolis Ice
- Buzzards Schedule Released - El Paso Buzzards
- CHL Releases Brahmas 2002-2003 schedule - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Ice Bats Schedule Released - Austin Ice Bats
- Mudbugs Release Schedule - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- CHL Releases Schedule - CHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
