Ice Bats Try To Make It Six In A Row Tonight
January 25, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - After topping one in-state rival on Tuesday to pull within six points of the playoffs, the Ice Bats are back at it again tonight when they host the Texas Brahmas at Chaparral Ice Arena at 7:35 PM. Tonight will be the fourth meeting this season between the Bats and Brahmas. Austin has lost the previous three, two of them by just a goal.
But this is not the same Ice Bats team the Texas Brahmas witnessed in the first 30 games of the CHL season. Since the Bats welcomed in 2008, the team has won five in a row and seven of eight games. While the Bats are playing better hockey in all facets of the game, goaltending has been the backbone to the team's recent success.
In the last 10 games, Bats' goalies Miguel Beaudry and Doug Groenestege (GROW-nah-staysh) have combined for a 7-3 record, a 2.00 Goals Against Avg., and a .938 Save Percentage.
In 2008, Beaudry is sporting a 1.96 GAA and .946 SV%, while Groenestege has been equally impressive with a 1.85 GAA and a .942 SV%.
The Bats have also received improved play from their crop of young rookies like Ted Vandermeer, who has recorded seven points in the Bats five game win streak.
The Bats (29 points) have jumped to third in the Southeast Division and are currently chasing division rival Corpus Christi (35 points) for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. The Brahmas are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have fallen to fourth place in the Northeast Division. Texas is just one game above .500 this year (17-16-1).
One final note, Bats forward Kurtis Kisio has been suspended three games for a hit against Corpus Christi on Tuesday.
The puck drops at 7:35 at Chaparral Ice Arena and the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free puck that serves a desktop, business card holder. Tickets are available by calling 512-927-7825.
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 January 25, 2008
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- Rosco wins 450th career game - Laredo Bucks
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- Ice Bats Try To Make It Six In A Row Tonight - Austin Ice Bats
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- Scorpion Fans Draw More Blood - New Mexico Scorpions
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- Shots from the Point - CHL
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