[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Local Sports
Archives
| Arts & Entertainment
| Audio/Video
| Business
| Classifieds
| Columns
| Food
| Forums
| Health & Fitness
| News
| Obits
| Opinions
| People
| Politics
| Science/Technology
| Search
| Sports
| Subscribe
| Travel
| Weather
Monday, February 12, 2001
Visiting IceRays fall to Ice Bats, 7-2
Austin American-Statesman
AUSTIN - It was a weekend of tests for the Austin Ice Bats, but they ended the battery still with a hold on to first place in the WPHL's Eastern Division.
The Ice Bats avoided a four game winless streak with a 7-2 win over the Corpus Christi Ice Rays, trading goals with the Ice Rays early on but scoring the games five final goals to salvage a win after losses to the league's elite the previous two nights.
Kelly Smart put the Bats ahead, 3-2, at 16:12 of the second period, shooting past Rays goalie Eddy Skazyk from the lower right circle, and his teammates followed with the game's final four scores.
"These games are testing us," said Ice Bats coach Brent Hughes, whose team was defeated by the league-leading New Mexico Scorpions on Friday night and division archival Bossier-Shreveport on Saturday. "They're testing our character, and it's nice to see, because some guys see things going well all year and start to think they're invincible. Then playoffs come, and you lose a couple of games, and there is adversity going on. I'd rather see it and face it now, so that we're stronger in the playoffs.
With the win, Austin (33-15-4, 70 points) moves ahead of Bossier-Shreveport (33-16-2, 68 points) in what is becoming a two-team race for the division crown.
David Brosseau scored twice in the third period, including one of Austin's three power-play goals. The Bats converted on three of five opportunities with an extra attacker.
"It's what we've been working on all year," Brosseau said. "I think we went into a little slump because our timing was kind of bad, but every team goes through that. It's a long season, but it's part of the game and we turned it around today so that we're back in first place by tomorrow morning."
Jeff Greenlaw earned star of the game honors with a power-play goal 2:43 into the game and an assist on Roger Lewis shorthanded goal in the second period but missed the third period after a collision that hyperextended his right knee. Greenlaw was still hobbling, but after a post-game doctor's examination, he was optimistic he will play again Tuesday night.
Dan Price also scored two goals, Austin's second of the game on the power-play at 10:08 of the first period, and at even strength early in the third period.
"We had to come back real strong tonight, and we did," Price said. "The coaches prepared us, but we felt that weren't mentally ready (against New Mexico and Bossier) and it showed. I can safely say that next time we'll be ready to go against them."
| Talk
about this story | Next Story | Home
|
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
© 2001,
a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.
|
 |
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
