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Thursday, March 16, 2000
'Rays hitting their stride just in time
Corpus Christi has won 9 of its last 11 matchups
By Mark Button
Caller-Times
This is what Taylor Hall had in mind.
Time and again, the Corpus Christi coach has said his priorities were twofold: make the playoffs and make sure his hockey team is peaking at the end of the season.
With eight games left until the postseason, the IceRays are a victory away from clinching a berth in the 1999-2000 Western Professional Hockey League President's Cup playoffs. They have won nine of their last 11 games and three in a row, the last two of which came against Central Texas, the WPHL Central Division champions.
"I thought we were moving in the right direction a couple months ago," Hall said. "Now we're starting to see some of the fruits of our efforts."
The IceRays hope to continue their streak today in a 7:05 p.m. game against the Monroe Moccasins at Memorial Coliseum. Monroe (36-21-6, 78 points) is one of eight WPHL teams that have already clinched a playoff spot.
Veteran forward Kurt Wickenheiser has led the way for Corpus Christi in the last 11 games, recording 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) during the stretch. Last week, Wickenheiser was named the WPHL player of the week after recording five goals and six assists in four games.
It was the third player of the week award Wickenheiser has won this year; he is the only player in the league to have won the honor more than once. He was also the WPHL player of the month for December.
Still, Wickenheiser will not remember this season for any personal award, he said.
"The best highlight for me was having my brother see me score my 50th goal in Central Texas," Wickenheiser said. "He hadn't seen me play in 15 years."
Claude Wickenheiser, Kurt's other brother, witnessed Kurt's 50th goal. They lost their brother, Doug, to bone cancer in January of 1999. Doug played 10 years in the National Hockey League. Kurt scored his 58th goal Tuesday and now his eyes on his 60th.
Another reason for the IceRays' recent success has been the play of goalie Eddy Skazyk, won has won his last seven decisions.
"It's an important time of year for everyone to pick up their game, and me personally, I'm looking to do the same thing," Skazyk said. "Earlier in the year, if down by goal or two in the third period, our team would seem to fold the tents and give them the game.
"But as of late, we have a squad that is battling back and everyone's confident that we can win every game, no matter what the score is heading into the third period, or second period for that matter."
Tobin Praznik has also been a force for Corpus Christi. He has scored at least one goal in each of the last six Corpus Christi games and the rookie forward has 12 goals in his last 10 games.
"I think he's getting stronger, too, I think we've yet to see him play his best hockey," Hall said of Praznik. "He's going to be a guy we look to in the playoffs when we need a big goal."
Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com
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