Ice Bats Stung Once Again, 4-3
February 2, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Rio Rancho, NM) - After just one goal was scored total in the Bats 1-0 loss to New Mexico on Friday, the offense for both teams woke up in their Saturday night contest. Despite the increased offense, the Bats found themselves on the wrong side of a one goal score for the second straight night. New Mexico tops the Bat 4-3.
The game looked like it was going to be an ugly one when the Scorpions jumped out to 3-0 lead. Aaron MacInnis, Ross McCain, and Konrad Reeder each scored goals for the Scorpions. Finally the Ice Bats caught a couple breaks on New Mexico turnovers which allowed Jamie Thompson to score his 12th goal of the season. Then with :36 remaining in the period, John Neal ripped a slap shot from the center ice circle to dump the puck into the New Mexico zone. Instead his shot caught Scorpion goaltender, Mike Minard, off guard and scored from center ice to make it a 3-2 deficit for the Bats. The Bats might have caught a break when New Mexico argued that the Ice Bats were offsides on Neal's shot. At the end of the first if was 3-2, Scorpions.
In the second period the Bats were awarded with a 5-on-3 power play and capitalized to tie the game at 3-3. Darryl McArthur scored his fourth goal of the season with helpers from Jason Tessier and John Ronan. But New Mexico would regain the momentum on a shorthanded goal by Chris Robertson less than a minute later. It was an unassisted goal. The Bats nearly tied the game in the closing seconds, but McArthur was robbed on a wide open net when Minard made a diving save to keep the 4-3 lead for the Scorpions at the end of the second period.
The Bats had a couple power play opportunities in the third period, and once again pulled the goalie in the closing seconds as a last gasp effort. But just like Friday night, New Mexico was able to withstand the Bats attack for a second straight night. The final was 4-3, New Mexico.
The Ice Bats return home to host the Laredo Bucks in a weekend series at Chaparral Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:35 PM on both nights.
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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Central Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2008
- Scorpions Sweep Away Ice Bats - New Mexico Scorpions
- Brahmas victorious over defending champs - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Rage Snap Winless Skid - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Bucks Drill For Oil: Beat Tulsa 6-1 - Laredo Bucks
- Hounds move into second place tie with huge road win - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Ice Bats Stung Once Again, 4-3 - Austin Ice Bats
- Another Shutout, Another Record Falls in Wichita - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Sundogs Fall to Odessa 4-3 in Southwest Division Battle - Arizona Sundogs
- Eagles Drop Third Straight on Road, 4-6 to Brahmas - Colorado Eagles
- Bucks Host Oilers To End Homestand - Laredo Bucks
- Brahmas To Play Defending Champs Tonight - Fort Worth Brahmas
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