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Twice As Nice

November 25, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


ICERAYS REWIND: The IceRays subscribed to the Al Sims' philosophy on defense this weekend, and took 2 out of 3 games over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and Austin Ice Bats to even their record at 8-8 at the 1/4th point of the season.

The weekend began on a high note with a 3-1 victory at the Century Tel Center in Bossier City, LA over the Mudbugs. The Mudbugs got on the board first when Trevor Buchanan deflected a Chris Chelios shot from the point by goalie Brent Belecki (Calgary, ALB) at 8:08 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. However, that would be the last time the Mudbugs would see the back of the net all night as the IceRays rattled off 3 unanswered goals on special teams from Cosmo Dupaul (Pointe-Claire, PQ) and Rob Giffin (Toronto, ONT) on the power play, and John Sicinski (Mississauga, ONT) shorthanded with the empty net.

Belecki made 25 saves for the win while the IceRays penalty kill shutout an opponent's power play for just the third time this season going a perfect 3-3.

Friday night brought a rematch with the Austin Ice Bats back at Memorial Coliseum less than a week after the Rays had snapped Austin's 10-game winning streak to start the season. The Ice Bats took an early 1-0 lead when Tab Lardner received a pass in the left-wing circle from Kelly Smart and slapped it by Belecki at 13:11 of the first period. However, the IceRays fought hard for the equalizer as they have done in every meeting with Austin this season. Jason Carriere's (Winnipeg, MB) drive from the point was deflected by Giffin in front of Austin goalie Matt Barnes, and slipped by the 5'4 net-minder to tie the game at 1-1 in the second period. Just 2:16 later, Austin got the eventual game-winning goal on the power play when Brett Seguin picked up the loose puck in the slot off Mike Rees' rebound and slammed it home for the 2-1 victory.

Belecki was strong in net for the second consecutive night making 25 saves, yet he was outdone by Barnes who turned aside 30 IceRays' shots. Meanwhile the IceRays went 0-4 on the power play, their first game without scoring a power play goal since 11/2/02 vs. Austin, a span of 6 games.

Saturday night the two teams returned to the Travis County Expo Center in Austin for the back-end of the home-and-home series. The IceRays jumped out to an early 1-0 lead late in the first when Layne Roland (Vernon, BC) charged by the back-checking Pat Brownlee and slipped it by Barnes at 18:46 for a 1-0 lead heading into the locker room. Then with Austin on a power play in the second period, Dupaul intercepted Seguin's pass back to the point, walked in alone on Barnes, and beat him top shelf for a shorthanded tally at 8:09 and a 2-0 IceRays lead. The Bats mustered a late goal from Gerald Tallaire in the third period, yet were continually frustrated by Belecki all night who made 42 saves as the IceRays hung on to a 2-1 victory.

It was a sensational win for the Rays who were out-shot 43-28 for the game and played 55 minutes with just 12 skaters after Jason Renard (Brooks, ALB) left early in the first period with a groin pull and did not return. The win snapped Austin's 7-game home-unbeaten streak and 14-game unbeaten streak in regulation.

BITTEN AT THE BAT CAVE: Saturday night's win in Austin was the first IceRays victory at the Travis County Expo Center since 2/18/01 (2-1), a span of 1 year, 9 months, and 5 days. Lifetime the IceRays are just 5-14-6 at the Bat Cave (.250%), their lowest winning percentage at any visiting arena in the CHL.

FEELING THE STING: The Austin Ice Bats have dominated the Central Hockey League this season with the exception of the IceRays. The Bats are 11-0-0 against the rest of the CHL, but are just 2-1-1 in four games against the IceRays.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: The IceRays are 5-1 this season on Saturdays as opposed to 3-7 in games played on any other day of the week. The Rays are also 2-1 when Saturday marks the end of a 3-games in 3-nights stretch.

LUCKY 7'S: Forward Layne Roland is currently on a 7-game scoring streak, tying his own season and team-high. It is the second 7-game scoring streak of the season for "Superman" who has failed to score in just two games this season. Roland has seven goals to go along with 13 assists through 16 games, and is tied for first on the team in scoring with Rob Giffin.

COSTLY WEEKEND: The IceRays were bitten by the injury bug yet again this weekend. Forward Rob Giffin missed Saturday's game in Austin with a strained groin. He is likely to go on the 14-day injured reserve later this week. Forward Jason Renard also had to come out of Saturday's game after coming up limp on just his third shift. Renard pulled his hamstring and is listed as day-to-day. Meanwhile the IceRays should get back the services this week of defensemen Joe Savioli and John Cilladi. Savioli has been out of action since 10/31/02 after suffering a concussion. Cilladi hyper-extended his right knee on 11/15/02, and has missed the team's last four games.

HOT AND COLD: IceRays special teams continue to be the biggest mystery through the first 16 games of the season. The penalty kill enjoyed its best weekend of the season going 12-13 (92.3%) to improve to 87-116 (75%) for the season. However, the power play that had peaked at 27.5% coming into Friday night's action cooled off going 0-8 in the two games against Austin. It is the first time this season the IceRays have failed to score a power play goal in back-to-back games this season. The Rays power play still leads the CHL at 25-99 (25.3%).

MARTINIS ON "ICERAYS MONDAY": Not quite, although "IceRays Monday" is proud to debut from 5PM-6PM tonight at its new home, The Martini Bar, located at the corners of Everhart and Saratoga in Corpus Christi. The Voice of the IceRays Dan Weiss hosts the show every Monday on ESPN Radio 1230AM KSIX, and is joined by Head Coach Al Sims and several IceRays players. Tonight Brett Colborne will be Dan's guest at 5:30PM following Coach Sims.

UP NEXT: The IceRays will spend Thanksgiving Day traveling to Wichita, Kansas for a battle with the Wichita Thunder Friday night at 7:30PM. Saturday the Rays return to Texas to meet the Lubbock Cotton Kings in Lubbock at 7PM. All games can be heard on 104.5FM The Octopus with Dan Weiss, or on the Internet at www.icerays.com and www.sportsjuice.com. Broadcast time begins at 7PM Friday and 6:30PM Saturday with the "American Tire and Wheel Pre-game Show."



Central Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2002


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