Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Despite loss, game no Bummer for IceRays' star

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Saturday, January 15, 2000

Despite loss, game no Bummer for IceRays' star
Bumstead scores as Team World topples Team Texas in shootout at WPHL All-Star Game, 9-8
By Mark Button
Caller-Times
AMARILLO - Geoff Bumstead was not about to go back to Corpus Christi empty-handed in his first professional All-Star Game.
   The IceRays forward scored his only goal 4:21 into the third period to help Team Texas rally from a five-goal, third period deficit and tie Team World before Monroe's Matt Cressman shot down Team Texas in overtime, 9-8.
   It was the first Western Professional Hockey League All-Star Game to be decided by a shootout. Bumstead, offended that he was not voted in by the coaches and media as a starter in the fourth annual exhibition, said prior to the contest that he had a point to prove to the league and its fans. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Bumstead was the coaches', players' and media's overwhelming favorite as the WPHL's best fighter a year ago and entering Friday's game, Bumstead led the league in scoring with 66 points (22 goals, 44 assists).
   "Yeah, you're right, I didn't want to go back without a goal," Bumstead said. "I didn't feel any pressure, though. It's tough playing with new guys and the guys I was playing with were a little faster than me so I tried to move the puck a lot."
   Bumstead was on the ice for four of Team Texas' eight goals and finished the night at plus-2 in plus/minus ratio.
   "I thought he played great," Team Texas coach Alan May said. "He really started to throw the body around in the third and he turned the game around."
   Bumstead's goal made the score 8-5 early in the third and started the comeback for Team Texas.
   "I knew the guys back home were watching," he said. "So it was nice to score a goal. When you're leading the league in scoring, you should score at least one out there."
   With the goal, Bumstead can return home with his head held high as his IceRays host Austin today in a key WPHL Central Division game, scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start at Memorial Coliseum.
   Dorian Anneck was named the All-Star Game's Most Valuable Player as he recorded three goals.
   Team World dominated the opening period, outscoring Team Texas, 6-3. Anneck scored twice in the first period and Wildfong and a pair of assists and a goal. Anneck beat Central Texas goalie Jason Carey 11:20 into the second period to complete his hat trick.
   Team Texas was shut out in the second period and trailed after 40 minutes, 8-3.
   Team Texas came back for five third period goals, including Bumstead's, to send the game to overtime.
   "I wish the game would have gone three or four more minutes," Bumstead said. "We definitely had them."
   Team Texas was comprised of the best players from the nine Texas-based Western Professional Hockey League teams and Team World was made up of the best players from the seven franchises located outside of Texas. Next year's All-Star Game will be played in Odessa. Team Texas won last year's All-Star Game in Austin, 10-6.
   IceCubes
   A SKILLS WINNERS: The All Stars competed in various skills competition Thursday night, and Team Texas won the overall event, 9-8.
   Monroe's Darren Dougan won the fastest skater competition for Team World, completing one lap around the rink in 13.22 seconds. Team Texas evened the score, 2-2, when San Angelo's Scott Chartier blasted a slapshot at 91 m.p.h. to win the hardest shot contest.
   Team World forged ahead, 4-2, as Monroe's Matt Cressman won the accuracy shootout. Cressman hit all four plates-one placed in each corner of the net.
   In the rapid-fire contest, where two forwards, standing about seven feet from the goalie on opposite sides, tried to beat the netminders with alternating shots. Corpus Christi's Geoff Bumstead and Amarillo's Brad Haelzle put five of ten past Monroe goalie Clint Owen to get Team Texas within a point, 4-3. Team Texas then rallied in the breakawat relay event, winning by two points to score the 8-7 overall victory.
   A HALL RECORDS THREE POINTS: IceRays coach Taylor Hall scored a goal and passed out two assists for a three-point night in Thursday's All-Star Celebrity, won by the celebrities, 9-8, in overtime.
   Buzzing around the rink at top speed on every shift, Hall put his stamp on the exhibition.
   "It was just fun to be out there," said Hall.
   It was the first officiated game he had played in since March, 1996, when he concluded his playing days with the Tulsa Oilers.
   To help round out the celebrity lineup, the WPHL recruited a couple of Amarillo Rattlers to play, including former IceRays defenseman Ryan Esslemont, who Hall traded to Amarillo.
   "Yeah, Ryan was shutting me down out there," Hall said with a wink. "I might have scored a few more if it wasn't for him."
   Supermodel Kim Alexis scored the game-winning goal against New Mexico coach Tony Martino, who shed his blocker and stick for the shot, to give the celebrities the 9-8 win.
   A BUMMER INJURIES CAREY: In a freak accident during Team Texas' practice Thursday, Bumstead broke the index finger on Central Texas goalie Jason Carey.
   The injury occured when Bumstead took a wrist shot from the top of the right circle.
   The injury was not serious enough to keep Carey out of the All-Star Game and Bumstead joked around about the accident.
   "Yeah, Taylor told me he'd give me $500 if I took out both Central Texas goalies," Bumstead said. "I got one down, one to go."
   Carey is the No. 1 goalie for the WPHL Central Division-leading Stampede.
   Team World 6 2 0 1 -- 9
   Team Texas 3 0 5 0 -- 8
   FIRST PERIOD -- 1, Team Texas, Martin Menard (Sandrock, Damalo), 2:22. 2, Team World, Dorian Anneck (Sprott), 4:57. 3, Team World, Tracey Katelnikoff (Dougan, Stacey), 6:00. 4, Team World, Darren Dougan (Findlay, Wildfong), 10:30. 5, Team Texas, Bobby Brown (Vincent), 10:45. 6, Team Texas, Paul Vincent, Newhook), 11:30. 7, Team World, Anneck (Findlay, Preston), 14:33. 8, Team World, Dan Wildfong (Griffin), 15:30. 9, Team World, Matt Cressman (Wildfong, Osiecki), 18:47. PENALTIES-none.
   SECOND PERIOD -- 10, Team World, Anneck (Sprott), 11:14. 11, Team World, Dougan (Ambroziak, Katelnikoff), 17:53. PENALTIES-none.
   THIRD PERIOD -- 12, Team Texas, Jacque Rodrigue (Price, Menard), 2:26. 13, Team Texas, Geoff Bumstead (Chartier, Haelze), 4:21. 14, Team Texas, Vincent (Menard), 8:22. 15, Team Texas, Mike Legg (Brown, Reeves), 11:01. 16, Team Texas, Kyle Reeves (Legg, Green) 11:12. PENALTIES-none.
   SHOOTOUT -- 17, Matt Cressman
   SHOTS ON GOAL-Team World 19-10-10 41. Team Texas 12-13-15 40. GOALIES-Team World, Clint Owens (W) entered at 10:40 of 2nd; Luciano Caravaggio, left at 10:40 of 2nd. Team Texas, Jason Carey (L) entered at 10:40 of 2nd; Matt Barnes, left at 10:40 of 2nd. REFEREE-Matt Bialota. A -- 5,027.
   Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com

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