Pivotal Playoff Implications This Week for Bats
March 12, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
(Austin, TX) - After losing two of their three games this past weekend the Ice Bats are still in control of the fifth and final playoff spot in the Central Hockey League's Southern Conference. But the temperature is rising with six games left in the season, as Corpus Christi and Amarillo will look to make a move past the Bats this week.
Wednesday - Ice Bats @ Corpus Christi, 7:05 PM
Austin starts a three game road trip Wednesday night in Corpus Christi against the Rayz. Corpus is currently three points back of the Ice Bats for the final playoff spot. The Rayz are led by 20-goal scorers, Joe Blaznek and Justin Quenneville. Austin has won five of the eight meetings this season against their division rival in some of the most competitive games the Bats have played. Five of the eight games between the two teams have been decided by a goal, and three needed a shootout to decide a victor.
Friday - Ice Bats @ Rio Grande Valley, 7:35 PM
Saturday - Ice Bats @ Rio Grande Valley, 7:35 PM
After beginning the season with a 5-2 record against the Killer Bees, the Ice Bats have gone in a tailspin losing three straight to Rio Grande. The latest meeting may have been the hardest one to swallow, when Travis Banga won the game on a penalty shot in sudden death overtime. The Bats travel to Hidalgo, TX for a pair of weekend games. Brendan Cook has been a bright spot for the Bats scoring four goals and two assists in his last two games at Dodge Arena.
Sunday - Ice Bats vs. Corpus Christi, 4:05 PM, Chaparral Ice Arena
The final regular season meeting between the Ice Bats and the Rayz happens in Austin on Sunday. Depending on what happens with Amarillo during the week, Corpus Christi could potentially leap frog the Ice Bats into the final playoff spot by winning Wednesday's game and Sunday's matinee.
The three-game road trip can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. Tickets are still available for Sunday's game vs. the Rayz by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.
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.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2008
- Rage drop 4-2 decision to Eagles - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Beatty's Game-Winner Improves Eagles' Lead to Three - Colorado Eagles
- Rays hit speedbump, fall to Bats 4-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bats Top Corpus 4-1, Take Over Final Playoff Spot - Austin Ice Bats
- Rio's O'Leary earns callup to AHL - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Two Mudbugs Nominated For CHL Awards - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Greg Pankewicz's Hat Trick Voted Performance Of The Week - CHL
- Arizona Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
- Pivotal Playoff Implications This Week for Bats - Austin Ice Bats
- Pivotal Playoff Implications This Week for Bats - Austin Ice Bats
- Sundogs Top Scorpions 5-4 in Overtime, Increase Lead in Division to Four Points - Arizona Sundogs
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.
