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Friday, October 22, 1999
Nothing like home cooking for IceRays
By Mark Button
Caller-Times
Halfway through the IceRays' season-opening, eight-game homestand, it has become apparent just how vital the games at Memorial Coliseum have been.
An extended homestand is coveted by any team at any time. When the WPHL released its 1999-2000 schedule on Aug. 18, IceRays players' confidence soared regarding the month of October, when the team plays eight of nine games at home. Many, including coach Taylor Hall, predicted an eight-game sweep.
Put the brooms away.
Opening night fireworks exploded in the team's collective face. Corpus Christi fell in a 6-0 hole after 20 minutes and lost, 8-2, to rival Austin. Worse still, the IceRays lost their franchise player, Chris Robertson, for 30 days with a knee injury.
The once-important home games suddenly became a savior, many players said, a positive to which to cling.
They've been hanging on, all right.
The IceRays rallied to win three straight after the opening-night loss - they're in first place in the WPHL Central Division - and players are saying it is no secret that the fans at the Igloo helped.
"It think (the home games) were essential," said forward Mike Tomlinson, who has recorded at least one point in the each of the three victories. "I don't think we could have turned around and won three in a row on the road after losing the first one like that. Our fans are so important to us. The night I won the game in the shootout (Oct. 15), it was so loud in there, I couldn't even hear my name being called as the shooter."
You hear it from the players all time: How much the IceRays love playing at the Igloo, voted the most intimidating building in the league with the league's best fans last season.
Robertson, sitting in the crowd while the medial collateral ligament in his right knee heals, said he gained a new appreciation for the Corpus Christi faithful.
"They're really like a seventh player out there," he said. "The way sports are today, with players making all this money, I think it's hard for fans to relate with them. It's hard for a lot of them to attend games, especially NHL games.
"Here, it's great. We're not getting rich, we're playing because we love the game and we love interacting with the fans. Playing for these fans just gives you a better idea of how lucky we are to be able to play the game we love."
Corpus Christi hosts Lake Charles Saturday night, then plays Waco again Sunday. After an Oct. 27 contest against Fort Worth, the IceRays' eight-game homestand concludes Oct. 29 against Central Texas.
IceCubes
SKAYZK MOVES UP: IceRays rookie goalie Eddy Skayzk moved up two spots in the WPHL goalie rankings. After his 31-save effort Wednesday, Skayzk is ranked fourth with a .953 save percentage.
Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com
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