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Thursday, November 11, 1999
Like IceRays in 1998, Cotton Kings find expansion success
By Mark Button
Caller-Times
Similar paths, similar results.
So far.
Lubbock Cotton Kings coach Alan May built his Western Professional Hockey League expansion club much like Taylor Hall built his last season.
Both coaches signed a bunch of veterans to lead the way and both had successful starts.
The two meet tonight for the first time, in a 7:05 p.m. game at Memorial Coliseum.
Lubbock, the WPHL's sole expansion team this year, is 8-2-1. The Cotton Kings' 17 points afford them a first-place tie with New Mexico in the WPHL Western Division. Corpus Christi, one of five expansion teams for 1998-99, ripped off seven wins in its first 10 games last season. The IceRays enjoyed first place honors in their division early and often last year as well.
It was no surprise, Hall said.
"Right off the start, before everyone has been together (long) and have learned all the systems, talent tends to overshadow the team aspect," he said.
May, who played for expansion Abilene last year, signed veterans such as defenseman Artus Kupars (a 10-year veteran), forwards Mark Green (a nine-year veteran) and Kyle Reeves (11 years with 112 IHL games played) and goalie Cory Cadden (an eight-year veteran) as the foundation of his team. "We wanted to make sure we had a lot of go-to players that could get us through the tight games," May said.
So far, they have.
Green leads in the league in goals with 12 and Kupars is the WPHL's top scoring defenseman.
"A player like Mark can have us up 2-0 with two shots," May said.
Hall had a similar formula last year, signing proven veterans such as forwards Chris Robertson, Geoff Bumstead, Mike Tomlinson and defenseman Jody Praznik.
Hall said a successful start is important for expansion teams, but it can't stop there.
"Any time you're winning, it takes pressure off," said Hall, whose team is off and running again this year at 8-3-2. "Initially, I suppose, if you get off to a good start it maybe creates an environment where everybody thinks your team is going to be a winner. Mind you, consistency is also something that has to be maintained. Ten games don't make a season."
May is aware of that, too. He said the competition within his division will demand consistency.
"We're trying to stay in first place in our division every night because we have a battle going on with New Mexico and El Paso," May said. "We're going hard every night to stay ahead of those guys."
After the quick start, Corpus Christi did have a slump or two last year. Still, the veterans - and a hot rookie goalie named Jason Genik - pulled the team through and the IceRays finished with a record of 40-23-6. Corpus Christi's 86 points was good for fourth best in the WPHL.
If the Cotton Kings continue at their current pace, they could finish with 105 points, six more than any team last season.
IceCubes
BUMSTEAD EARNS HONOR: IceRays forward Geoff Bumstead was named the WPHL's Player of the Week for Nov. 1-7. Bumstead recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in four games last week.
Bumstead's most dominating effort came Nov. 4 in a home game against Odessa. Bumstead recorded a point on each of the IceRays' three goals in their 3-2 victory - he scored one goal and assisted on the two others. Bumstead is ranked fifth in WPHL scoring with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists).
SKAZYK SETS RECORD: IceRays goalie Eddy Skazyk's 50-save effort against Central Texas Saturday set the WPHL record for the most saves in a game for this season. The all-time record is held by Austin goalie Brian Elder, who made 69 saves against New Mexico last season.
Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com
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