Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Battered IceRays jump into another 3-in-3 weekend

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Friday, December 3, 1999

Battered IceRays jump into another 3-in-3 weekend

By Mark Button
Caller-Times

This weekend, they want even more.
   Caught in the downward spin of a six-game losing streak last week, the Corpus Christi IceRays recovered in time to earn five of a possible six points in a three-games-in-three-days, end-of-the-week sprint with an overtime loss and two wins.
   It wasn't enough.
   "We want to win every game," Corpus Christi coach Taylor Hall said. "I won't tell you I'm satisfied unless we win them all."
   The IceRays have a similar stretch this weekend, starting today with a 7:05 p.m. against San Angelo. It's back on the bus and back up Intersate-37 for the team Saturday; the IceRays play in Austin before taking another shot at pulling off a Sunday afternoon game, again against Central Texas.
   Hall wants six points.
   It won't be easy.
   The IceRays will play without their second-leading scorer, Dave Gilmore, who on Tuesday had his nose shattered so severely that it took a four-hour operation Wednesday to piece it back together.
   Hall said Gilmore, a highly skilled stick-handling center, will miss at least two weeks. Corpus Christi (10-7-4, 24 points) will also continue to play without two other big guns: Forwards Mike Tomlinson and Chris Robertson.
   Tomlinson is still feeling woozy from a concussion he suffered against Lubbock on Nov. 11 and Robertson is still recovering from a serious knee injury.
   Robertson started skating this week, however, and that pleases Hall.
   "(The knee) feels pretty good," said Robertson, who will come off the injured-reserve list on Dec. 17. said. "I haven't tested it 100 percent, but it feels strong and that's encouraging."
   Also encouraging for Corpus Christi is the news that forward Brent Hoiness' back spasms have subsided. He will play this weekend.
   "The back is a little stiff, but that's fine," Hoiness said. "The pain is gone and that is the most important thing."
   The team could receive another lift if things work out well for Bob Quinnell, a solid defenseman who played in Corpus Christi last season but made a run at the International Hockey League before landing in the West Coast Hockey League early this year.
   Quinnell is back in town, wanting to sing with the IceRays. He has to wait, however.
   As of Thursday night, no one with the IceRays was sure if the Anchorage Aces, the team that owns Quinnell's minor-league rights at the moment, have released the defenseman.
   When and if that happens, Quinnell has to clear the WCHL waiver wire (it takes 24 hours) before he can sign with the IceRays.
   In any case, if Corpus Christi can better its five-point performance last week, it will continue to gain ground on Western Professional Hockey League Central Division leaders Central Texas (17-5-1, 35 points). The Stampede host Alexandria (9-5-4, 22 points) Friday and Waco (9-9-2, 20 points) Saturday before traveling back to Corpus Christi for a second consecutive Sunday showdown with the IceRays.



Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com ,

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