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Thursday, November 2, 2000

Austin powers its way to victory over 'Rays
Ice Bats recover from early Wickenheiser goal to record 5-2 triumph over C.C.
By Javier Becerra
Caller-Times

George Tuley/Caller-Times

Austin’s Josh Maser (right) raises his stick in celebration Wednesday after beating Corpus Christi netminder Eddy Skazyk for a power-play goal during the Ice Bats’ 5-2 victory over the IceRays.

Austin coach Brent Hughes found it very unfortunate that his Ice Bats gave up a goal just 28 seconds into Wednesday night's matchup against the Corpus Christi IceRays.
   The disappointment would quickly fade, however, as Austin notched a 5-2 win over Corpus Christi at Memorial Coliseum.
   Austin improved to 6-2-0 in the Western Professional Hockey League Eastern Division standings. Corpus Christi lost for the fifth time in six games to fall to 4-5-1 in the Eastern Division.
   The game was locked at 1-1 after the first period, but two goals in the second period by Philippe Plante and Tyler Perry gave Austin a lead the IceRays couldn't overcome.
   "We worked hard tonight," said Hughes, whose Austin squad won its second straight game. "We knew it was going to be a tough game. Corpus Christi is not an easy team to beat. We had some good scoring opportunities. I thought the score could have been higher."
   Kurt Wickenheiser made his presence felt immediately, scoring the opening goal just 28 seconds into the game on the IceRays' first power play opportunity of the night.
   Eighteen seconds had run off the clock when Austin goalie Bryan McMullen was called for delay of game. With a one-man advantage, Gatis Tseplis slapped the puck across the ice after the face off, finding Wickenheiser, who knocked it in for his fifth goal of the season.
   The early score by Corpus Christi stunned the Ice Bats, who followed the goal with sluggish play.
   Later in the first period it would be the IceRays who appeared dazed. At 7:09 into the period, Austin caught Corpus Christi in a line change, allowing Josh Maser to tie the game, 1-1, after a clean shot on goalie Eddie Skazyk. Maser's goal was his first of the season.
   Austin broke the game open in the second period, scoring twice in 24 seconds on an early power play opportunity.
   The first score came 1:51 into the second period, when Plante blasted a shot past Skazyk from just inside the blue line to give the Ice Bats a 2-1 advantage.
   Less than half a minute later, Perry took possession of a loose puck and skated up the ice for an unassisted goal to increase Austin's lead 3-1.
   Corpus Christi had two power play opportunities in the second period, once with 12 minutes left on the clock and again with four minutes left. The Ice Bats, who boast the league's third-best penalty killing percentage, prevented the IceRays from cutting into the lead.
   Wickenheiser went back to work for Corpus Christi in the third period, helping bring the IceRays to within one, 3-2, just 1:05 after the initial face off. Though not nearly as early as his his first-period goal, Wickenheiser was able to slip the puck past McMullen on a spinning backhand shot from near the right corner.
   The IceRays had a one-man advantage with 16:49 to play in the third, but could get nothing past McMullen. Troy Stonier and Bobby Brown sealed the game for Austin, scoring the final two goals of the game.

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