Austin Ice Bats

January 31, 2008
Ice Bats Finish January Winning 9 of 11: Austin Is One Win Away from Playoff Contention

(Austin, TX) - The Ice Bats have spent the last four years staying home during the CHL playoffs. With their 5-0 win over the Wichita Thunder, the Ice Bats closed out the month with a 9-2 record in January and one win (two points) away from playoff contention in the Southern Conference. The Ice Bats were 11 points out of contention when the new year began. The Corpus Christi Rayz currently occupy that fifth and final playoff spot in the CHL's Southern Conference.

In one month the Bats more than doubled their season win total (16) and that January success has been highlighted by goaltending and rookie play.

Goaltenders Miguel Beaudry and Doug Groenestege have combined for a 2.00 Goals Against Avg. and a .940 Save Percentage. Beaudry capped off the month with a 24 save, shutout performance against Wichita. It was the Bats first shutout this season, and Beaudry's fifth straight win between the pipes.

Offensively, Brendan Cook leads the team in goals (16), assists (19), and points (35). But the recent play of rookies Ted Vandermeer and Mike Bartlett has powered the Bats offense in their nine January wins. Vandermeer recorded 17 points during January, including 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in the last eight games.

Bartlett was acquired off waivers on December 12th. In his last eight games for the Bats, Bartlett has scored 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists).

The Bats have 23 games remaining on their schedule, including twelve at Chaparral Ice Arena. Five of those games are against Corpus Christi and Amarillo. Amarillo is the other team chasing Corpus for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference.

It's been four years since Austin has been in the CHL playoffs--the last time coach Brent Hughes spent a full season behind the bench. The Bats will play two games this weekend in New Mexico then return home for a pair of games vs. Laredo on February 8th and 9th.

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.

January 30, 2008
Thunder Ice Bats Quiet the Thunder, 5-0

(Austin, TX) - Coming off a road loss to Odessa, the Ice Bats returned home to Chaparral Ice Arena for a Wednesday night home game against the Wichita Thunder. Three power play goals and a shutout performance by Bats goalie, Miguel Beaudry, carried the Bats to a 5-0 victory.

Thanks to the efforts of Wichita goalie, Jon Horrell, it was a scoreless first period between the two teams. Horrell made 21 saves in the first period to keep it a tie score.

The Ice Bats turned on the offense in period two, banging home three goals. John Neal opened things up with his third of the year. Next, Ted Vandermeer notched his 12th of the season on a power play. Mike Bartlett and Jason Tessier tallied the assists. Then Jamie Thompson made it a 3-0 lead on helpers from Aaron Wilson and Neal. It was Thompson's 11th goal of the season.

In the third the Ice Bats added two more goals. One from Bartlett, giving him 12 on the year, and another from Jason Tessier to give the Bats a 5-0 lead. It was Tessier's 10th of the season. 5-0 was the final score.

With the win the Ice Bats finish the month of January going 9-2. They only trail the Corpus Christi Rayz by two points for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conferece. Next up for the Bats is a two game set in New Mexico against the Scorpions starting on Friday night. The puck drops at 8:15 PM local time, and can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin or espnaustin.com.

January 29, 2008
Ice Bats Beaudry/Groenestege News 8 Austin's Co-Athletes of the Week

(Austin, TX) - News 8 Austin has named Ice Bats goalies Miguel Beaudry and Doug Groenestege their "Athletes Of The Week." In the last 10 games Beaudry and Groenestege have combined for an 8-2 record, a 2.20 Goals Against Avg., and a .936 Save Percentage.

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January 26, 2008
Jackalopes Ice Bats Win Streak Snapped by Odessa

(Odessa, TX) - After holding onto a 3-2 victory on Friday, the Ice Bats were rewarded with an all night bus ride, and a road game against the Odessa Jackalopes at the Ector County Coliseum--a place the Bats have not won at this year.

Odessa got on the board first with a quick goal to take the early lead. Olivier Proulx scored his fourth of the year to make it a 1-0 lead for Odessa just 1:28 into the game. Later on Austin would even things up when Mike Bartlett scored his 11th of the season on an assist by Ted Vandermeer. Odessa hit the post twice in the closing minutes of the first period, but at the end of the first it was a 1-1 tie.

Well after hitting the post a couple times to end the first, Odessa didn't miss in the second, scoring three goals. 2:33 in Mario Joly banged one home for the Jackalopes to make it a 2-1 lead for Odessa. Collin Circelli made it a 3-1 lead with his third of the year. Then Olivier Proulx added his second goal of the game to give the Jacks a 4-1 lead. Dan Veenema and Geoff Patton each recorded major fighting penalties, but the fights did little to ignite the Bats offense. Austin had a couple opportunities to put the puck in the net but Mike Bartlett hit the post twice--once on a breakaway and again on a power play. At the end of two periods it was 4-1, Odessa.

Odessa added one more goal in the third period from Brian Swiniarski. The game ended with a 5-1 victory for Odessa.

The loss snaps the Bats' six-game win streak. The Bats return home to host the Wichita Thunder on Wednesday at Chaparral Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:35 PM, and tickets are still available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

January 25, 2008
Brahmas Bats Win Sixth in a Row, Four Points Out of Playoffs

(Austin, TX) - The Ice Bats came into their Friday night contest against the Texas Brahmas just six points back of a playoff spot and on a five game win streak. Despite being 0-3 vs. Texas this season, the Bats were on the right side of the score this time for a 3-2 win.

Like in their three previous contests the first period between the Bats and Brahmas was back and forth. Austin managed to escape with a 1-0 lead from Mike Bartlett's shorthanded goal. It was his 10th of the year, Darryl McArthur had the assist.

The second was just as tight, but the Bats managed to extend their lead by a goal. Brendan Cook ripped home his team leading 16th goal of the season on assists from Jason Tessier and Ted Vandermeer. At the end of two, it was 2-0, Bats.

In the third period the Bats scored another one to take a 3-0 lead. Taylor Raszka scored his sixth of the year on helpers from John Ronan and RG Flath. Texas made a late charge score two goals in the third. One from Jordan Cameron and the other from Anders Strome. Doug Groenestege made 20 saves in the third period and 39 in the game to give Austin the 3-2 win.

Austin is now just four points back of Corpus Christi for the last playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Corpus lost 4-2 to Laredo. Next up for the Bats is a Saturday night road game vs. Odessa. The game can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin at 9:00 PM and espnaustin.com as well.

January 25, 2008
Ice Bats Try to Make It Six in a Row Tonight

(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.

January 22, 2008
Rayz Bats Power Play Makes It Five in a Row

(Corpus Christi, TX) - The Bats and Rayz have played six games this year, splitting them with three wins for each team. Five of the games have been decided by one goal, three went to a shootout. Throw in the fact that the Bats are chasing Corpus Christi in the Southeast Division and for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference, and you have a classic scenario of a rivalry game with playoff implications. That's what took place Tuesday night when the Bats traveled to the American Bank Center in Corpus. The Bats exploded for four power play goals in the third period to take a 6-2 victory.

Just like we've seen in previous matches between these two teams, the first period ended in a 1-1 tie. Corpus got on the board first when Jay Latullippe deflected a Niko Tuomi shot to beat Ice Bats goalie, Miguel Beaudry. A little over a minute later the Bats would even things up on a power play goal from Mike Bartlett. Bartlett deflected a Jason Tessier shot to net for his eighth of the season. Ted Vandermeer and Tessier tallied the assists.

Well after six previously competitive games, the emotions finally boiled over between both teams as a number of fights broke out 11:22 into the second period resulting in a couple game misconducts for both teams. Corpus did manage to bang home a goal by Geno Parrish to give the Rayz a 2-1 lead heading into the third.

The third period was all Ice Bats. The Bats scored five goals in the third period--four on the power play and one shorthanded. RG Flath got it started for the Bats with a power play goal to tie the game, 2-2. Next it was Mike Bartlett scoring his second goal of the game. Darryl McArthur added a power play goal of his own to pull the Bats ahead 4-2. Then Brendan Cook would break the power play theme with his fifth shorthanded goal of the season and his team leading 14th overall. Then Ted Vandermeer would put the icing on the cake with an additional power play to make the final score 6-2.

The Bats are now within six points of the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference after winning their fifth in a row and seven of their last eight. Next up for the Ice Bats is a Friday night home game against the Texas Brahmas. The puck drops at 7:35 PM at Chaparral Ice Arena. Tickets are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

January 21, 2008
Beaudry Beaudry Named CHL Goalie of the Week

(Austin, TX) - The Central Hockey League announced today that the recipient for the Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week for the period ending January 20th, 2008 is goaltender Miguel Beaudry of the Austin Ice Bats.

Beaudry receives the top weekly goaltender award for the second time this season (Oakley/CHL Goaltender of the Week for the Week of November 26th, 2007). His most recent recognition is on the heels of a 2-0 week allowing four goals while stopping 86 of 90 shots. The Ice Bats are one of the hottest teams in the CHL winning four straight games and six of their last seven. The Verner, Ontario native stopped 40 shots on Friday in a win versus Corpus Christi and 46 shots in the Ice Bats victory on Saturday over Amarillo.

On the season, Beaudry is 8-13-0 with a 3.56 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. But in his last six games Beaudry is 4-1-0 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.

Beaudry and the Ice Bats are back in action Tuesday in Corpus Christi, which can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. The team returns home Friday to Chaparral Ice Arena to take on the Texas Brahmas at 7:35 PM.

January 20, 2008
Ice Bats Cage Gorillas, Now 6-1 in 2008

(Austin, TX) - Despite the family reunion on Sunday at Chaparral Ice Arena, the Ice Bats were the ones who walked away all smiles as they cruised to their third win in a row, and their sixth in their last seven games. The Bats welcomed Ted Vandermeer's brother Bill, and the Gorillas, to Austin with a five goal outburst and Miguel Beaudry set a new season high making 46 saves. The final score was 5-1, Ice Bats.

Ted Vandermeer got the scoring started for Austin with his ninth of the season. Aaron Wilson and Mike Bartlett tallied the assists. That was the only goal scored, and it was 1-0 after the first.

In the second period Vandermeer continued to pour it on banging home his 10th goal of the season, and second of the game, thanks to a Darryl McArthur pass. Next was John Ronan who would put one on the board with less than a minute remaining in the period. RG Flath and Taylor Raszka added the helpers on Ronan's 11th of the year. At the end of two periods, it was 3-0, Ice Bats.

In the third, Amarillo finally found the score sheet thanks to a David Nimmo goal, but after that it was all Ice Bats. Jason Tessier used a power play opportunity to score his ninth of the season. Bartlett and Vandermeer had the assists. Then Jamie Thompson added another goal to make the score 5-1, Ice Bats. Bartlett and Vandermeer again added the assists. It was Thompson's first game back after missing the last two, nursing injuries.

Next up for the Bats is a Tuesday road game against Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. The puck drops at 7:05 PM. The Ice Bats trail Corpus Christi by eight points for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Three times this season both teams have gone to a shootout to decide a winner.

January 20, 2008
Ice Bats Host Amarillo Today

(Austin, TX) - The Ice Bats look to make it six out of seven today when the host the Amarillo Gorillas today at 4:00 PM at Chaparral Ice Arena.

Last the night Ice Bats defeated the first place Laredo Bucks, 2-1. The win propelled the Ice Bats into third place in the Southeast Division, and also within eight points of the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. The Ice Bats won a total of seven games in their first 30 contests of the season. Since then they've rattled off five wins in their last six games.

January 19, 2008
Bucks Ice Bats Top First Place Laredo, Have Won Five of Six

(Austin, TX) - As the month of January rolls on so do the Ice Bats who entered Saturday night having won four of their last five games. On National Instruments' Day it was the first place Laredo Bucks visiting Chaparral Ice Arena, a team that's beaten Austin in each of their four meetings this season. This time however, it was the Ice Bats who jumped out to an early lead and hung on for a 2-1 victory.

The first period was a back forth effort between the Bats and Bucks. Each team had scoring opportunities, but could not find the net. The first ended in a scoreless tie.

In the second, the Ice Bats would get the offense going as Ted Vandermeer opened up the scoring with a power play goal. It was Vandermeer's ninth of the season. Mike Bartlett and Jason Tessier had the assists. Less than four minutes later the Ice Bats would jump out to a 2-0 lead. This time it was Brendan Cook scoring his team leading, 13th goal of the year. Vandermeer and Bartlett tallied the assists. That's how the score read at the end of two periods.

In the third, Laredo finally got on the scoreboard with a power play goal from James Hiebert. Hiebert deflected a shot from Jeff Bes to beat Ice Bats Goalie, Doug Groenestege. The Bucks were on the power play in the last :90 of the game, and pulled the goalie for a two man advantage, but the Bats held off the attack and hung on for a 2-1 victory.

The win pulls Austin within eight points of the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. The Bats are back at it again on Sunday against the Amarillo Gorillas at Chaparral. The puck drops at 4:00 PM. Tickets are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

The Ice Bats would like to thank everyone from National Instruments for their support and assistance in putting on Saturday's National Instruments' Day. The day was a wonderful success.

January 18, 2008
Rayz Ice Bats Need the Shootout to Beat Corpus, 4-3

(Corpus Christi, TX) - Competitive is the only word to describe the season series between Corpus Christi and Austin this year. Four of their five previous games had been decided by one goal, two of those in a shootout. So it was no surprise that another shootout was needed to decide a victor Friday night when the Bats traveled to the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Austin pulled out the divisional win 4-3.

It was an offensive first period between both teams and four goals were scored in period one. Justin Quenneville put Corpus on the board first, just :34 into the game. RG Flath tied the game up with a power play goal for the Bats. John Ronan and Jason Tessier tallied the assists, it was the eighth goal of the year for Flath. Mike Bartlett gave the Bats a 2-1 lead with his seventh goal of the season. Brendan Cook and Aaron Wilson had the assists. Finally, Corpus would tie the game up at 2-2 on a rebound goal by Kevin Watters.

In the second period each team banged home another goal, but the focus went to Miguel Beaudry. Geno Parrish gave Corpus Christi a 3-2 lead on assists by Jay Latulippe and Quenneville. Then the Ice Bats tied it up on the power play as Henry Kuster scored his ninth goal of the year. Ronan and Flath tallied the assists. In the closing minutes of the period, Ice Bats Goalie, Miguel Beaudry single handedly kept the score tied as he stopped a breakaway effort by Joel Quenneville, a penalty shot from Quenneville (who was hooked on his breakaway), and then Beaudry made a sliding glove save on a two-on-one shot off the stick of Jon Jankus to keep the game tied at 3-3, heading into the third.

Neither team could score in the third period or overtime, so Austin and Corpus headed to their third shootout this season.

In the shootout, Jason Tessier and Brendan Cook scored for the Ice Bats. Geno Parrish scored for the Rayz, but Joe Blaznek could not beat Beaudry in the final round. The Ice Bats pull off the 4-3 victory.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a home contest against the Laredo Bucks Saturday night at 5:05 PM at Chaparral Ice Arena. The game has been sold out to Austin-based company, National Instruments.

January 18, 2008
Jam Packed Weekend for Ice Bats

(Austin, TX) - It's a three game weekend for the Ice Bats who start things tonight in Corpus Christi against the Rayz. Austin trails Corpus by 11 points for the final playoff spot in the South, and this is the first of two meetings in the next five days between the Rayz and Bats.

Saturday, the Ice Bats host Laredo in a first-time event for a CHL franchise. Saturday's game has been sold out to Austin-based National Instruments. The 5:00 game is part of a day long event for the employees and familes of National Instruments.

Sunday, two Vandermeers will be on the ice at Chaparral. Ted Vandermeer's brother Bill will visit Austin along with the rest of the Amarillo Gorillas. It will be the first time the two brothers have ever played against each other. Photos of the two brothers will be taken at the game, and available later for purchase. Stay tuned for more information.

January 15, 2008
National Instruments Teams up with Ice Bats

(Austin, TX) - This Saturday, when the Ice Bats host the Laredo Bucks, will be a first time event for a Central Hockey League franchise. The game has been sold out to the Austin-based company, National Instruments. Along with the hockey game, Saturday will be a day-long event for the employees and families of NI complete with full entertainment from bounce houses, to ice skating, to games, plus much more.

The extravaganza will conclude when the Ice Bats drop the puck against division rival Laredo at 5:00 PM at Chaparral Ice Arena. This is the first time in CHL history that a company has purchased an entire hockey game for the use of their employees. "It definitely something we're excited about," said Dan Cowan, Ice Bats Manager of Business Operations, "We're two local entities trying something new together to see if it can work. So far everything's gone perfect for both sides, and we're all looking forward to Saturday."

The event begins on Saturday at 12:00. Throughout the day interview opportunities will be available with Cowan, Mark Finger - Director of Human Resources for NI, and Ice Bats players. Saturday's game will be the fifth meeting between Laredo and Austin. The Bats are 0-4 against the first place Bucks this season.

January 14, 2008
Tessier Tessier Named Starter for CHL All-Star Game

(Austin, TX) - Due to one of his fellow All-Stars being recalled to the American Hockey League, Jason Tessier will be placed in the starting lineup for the CHL's All Star Game on January 16th in Broomfield, Colorado.

Tessier has been the Ice Bats top defenseman this year ranking fourth on the team with 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists). His eight goals on the year rank him 10th among the CHL's defensemen in goals scored as well.

The St. Jerome, Quebec native recorded a four point game earlier this year against New Mexico when he scored a power play goal, a shorthanded goal, and two assists back on October 26th.

Wednesday will be the fourth All-Star appearance of Tessier's CHL career. He also serves as the team's Assistant Captain.

January 12, 2008
Sundogs Ice Bats Unload on the Sundogs, 6-2

(Austin, TX) - This year the Ice Bats have gone 0-4 against the Arizona Sundogs. Saturday night at Chaparral Ice Arena the Ice Bats had their fifth chance to pick up a win against the fourth ranked team in the CHL, and they finally solved the riddle by soaring their way to a 6-2 win, scoring all six goals in the second and third periods.

It was a gritty and chippy first period and both teams went back and forth physically. The only goal came on a power play, when Arizona's Tyler Liebel gave the Sundogs a 1-0 lead.

In the second period it was the Ice Bats who woke up offensively banging home three goals. John Ronan scored his 10th of the year on assists from Henry Kuster and RG Flath. Next it was Brendan Cook banging home his team leading 12th goal of the year. Mike Bartlett tallied the helper on the goal. Then Ted Vandermeer added a goal of his own on a redirection effort. Darryl McArthur had the assist. All three goals were scored in a 4:28 span. It was 3-1 lead for the Bats, but Arizona closed the gap when Jason Visser scored on a rebound to make the score 3-2 at the end of two periods.

The Ice Bats would pull away in the third period with three more goals. Henry Kuster scored his eighth of the year. RG Flath made it a three goal lead with his seventh of the year, assisted by Kuster and John Neal. Finally, Mike Bartlett banged one home against his former team on assists from Zech Klann and John Neal. The Ice Bats skated away with a 6-2 win over the Ice Bats. It's the first victory of the year for the Ice Bats against Arizona.

Next up for the Bats is a Friday night road contest against the Corpus Christi Rayz. The game can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin or espnaustin.com. The puck drops at 7:05 PM.

January 11, 2008
Scorpions Ice Bats Win the Battle, but Lose War, 3-1

(Austin, TX) - The last time New Mexico and Austin faced off the Ice Bats tied a CHL record with three shorthanded goals en route to a 5-2 victory. Friday night the Scorpions returned to Chaparral Ice Arena against the Ice Bats. Despite a goalie fight at center ice, the Bats could not comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

It was a fast start for the Scorpions who scored just :20 into the first period when Dominic Osman buried a goal over the shoulder of Ice Bats Goalie, Doug Groenestege. New Mexico would later make it a 2-0 lead on a goal from Craig Macdonald. At the end of one, it was 2-0, New Mexico.

In the second period Austin made their way to the score sheet with a power play goal from Brendan Cook. It was his 11th of the year. Henry Kuster and Jason Tessier tallied the assists. 2-1, Scorpions. New Mexico would make it a two goal lead once again however when Mitch Stephens scored. At the end of two, it was 3-1, Scorpions.

In the third the Bats were looking for a spark, and Doug Groenestege tried to provide that spark by knocking down New Mexico Goalie, Andrew Martin with one punch, during a goalie fight at center ice. Both goalies were ejected from the game, but the Ice Bats could not pick up the momentum. The final score was 3-1, Scorpions.

Next up the Ice Bats host the Arizona Sundogs, Saturday night at 7:35 PM at Chaparral Ice Arena. Austin is 0-4 against the Sundogs this season. Tickets are still available by calling (512) 927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

January 9, 2008
Ice Bats New Mexico and Arizona This Weekend

(Austin, TX) - Coming off a weekend sweep of Mississippi and Corpus Christi, the Bats look to continue their 2008 momentum this weekend against the New Mexico Scorpions and the Arizona Sundogs. The puck drops at 7:35 PM on both nights out at Chaparral Ice Arena.

Friday's contest will be the first meeting between Austin and New Mexico since October 26th, when the Ice Bats tied a CHL record scoring three shorthanded goals to win 5-2. The Scorpions are currently third in the Southwest Division with a 15-12-4 record on the year, and are led offensively by Konrad Reeder, who tops on the team with 47 points on the year (15 goals, 32 assists). New Mexico is 1-1 against the Bats this season.

Arizona has been a thorn in the side of the Ice Bats all year. Austin is 0-4 against the Sundogs this season. Forwards Alex Leavitt and Tyler Redenbach have led the Sundogs to a 20-9-3 record on the year, putting them in a first place tie in the Southwest Division. Leavitt (52) and Redenbach (49) are currently second and third in the CHL in overall points.

Tickets start at just $9 and are still available for both games by calling (512) 927-7825 or visiting icebats.com. The first 400 fans through the doors of Friday's contest will receive a free seat cushion from Starwood.

January 5, 2008
Rayz Bats Sink the Rayz, 4-2

(Austin, TX) - On Saturday night the Ice Bats welcomed the Corpus Christi Rayz to Chaparral Ice Arena. Corpus and Austin have played nothing but competitive hockey this season. Austin was 1-3 against the Rayz coming into Saturday's contest, with all four games being decided by a goal. Two of those games ended in a shootout. But this time it would be a two goal difference as the Ice Bats pulled out a 4-2 victory.

The Ice Bats came flying out of the gate scoring the first two goals of the game. Daniel Veenema scored less than three minutes in, on a deflection effort. Kurtis Kisio and Aaron Wilson had the assists. It was Veenema's second goal of the year. John Ronan scored next for Austin on a Zech Klann assist. It was Ronan's ninth goal of the year, and gave Austin a 2-0 lead. Corpus got on the board on a goal from Brent Howarth, and that's where things stood at the end of the first. 2-1, Austin.

In the second period both teams pick up the physical play. Both teams also each netted a goal in period two. Coming out of the penalty box, Nicklas Lindberg found himself on a breakaway and cashed in by scoring a back hand goal to tie the game at 2-2. Joe Blaznek had the assist. A little over a minute later, Darryl McArthur put the Bats back up 3-2 on a slap shot from the point that bounced in off the goal post. At the end of two, it was 3-2, Ice Bats.

Third period play was back and forth and neither team could find the net. Corpus pulled the goalie late in the third to try and tie the game, but instead gave up an empty net goal to Ted Vandermeer. The final score was 4-2, Austin.

The Bats are off until Friday when they will host the New Mexico Scorpions at Chaparral Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:35 PM. Ticket are available by calling 927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

January 4, 2008
Ice Bats Dethrone RiverKings, 2-1

(Austin, TX) - Coming off a one goal, New Year's loss to the Corpus Christi Rayz, the Bats had a Friday night matchup against the Mississippi RiverKings at Chaparral Ice Arena.

The first period was a back and forth between both teams. Mississippi got on the board first with a goal from Ryan Kindret. Brian Mullally and Zach Pearson had the assists. Then the Bats tied it up on Taylor Raszka's fifth goal of the year. Ted Vandermeer added an assist. At the end of the first, it was a 1-1 tie.

The second period was tightly played as well, but the Ice Bats were able to take advantage of a power play opportunity. Zech Klann scored his sixth goal of the year. Brendan Cook and John Ronan tallied the assists. That was the only goal of the second period, and it was 2-1 Austin heading into the third.

In the third, Mississippi earned a power play with less than 2:00 remaining and pulled the goalie for a two man advantage, but could not find the net. There was no scoring in period three, and the Ice Bats hung on for the 2-1 victory.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a 7:35, Saturday night home contest against the Corpus Christi Rayz. The Ice Bats are 1-4 against the Rayz this year. All five games have been decided by one goal, and two of the games needed a shootout to decide a victor.

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