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Thursday, March 1, 2001
Rankings on IceRays' minds
Playoffs once doubtful, but CC now chasing division lead
By Javier Becerra
Caller-Times
Two months ago, the Corpus Christi IceRays' main concern was creating enough late-season momentum to earn a third consecutive trip to the Western Professional Hockey League playoffs.
   Now, with just 11 games left in the 2000-01 regular season, coach Taylor Hall and the IceRays are looking to make one last surge up the Eastern Division standings.
   "It's important over the next month to stay positive and stick together," Hall said. "So far, we've been able to do that. If we continue with that mind set, we have the chance to have a very special season."
   Corpus Christi is 33-23-3 (69 points) and in fourth place in the Eastern Division. The IceRays hold a five-point lead over Monroe (29-23-6) for the final playoff spot, and will face the Moccasins three more times before the end of the season.
   While Corpus Christi works to hold off Monroe, the IceRays also have their sights set on claiming one of the top three positions in the division. Bossier-Shreveport (37-18-3) and Tupelo (36-20-5) are tied for first place with 77 points, with Austin (35-20-4) in third with 74 points.
   The IceRays, who are 3-1-0 against Lake Charles this season, host the Ice Pirates tonight at Memorial Coliseum.
   The Mudbugs, T-Rex and Ice Bats were all idle this week. A win over Lake Charles tonight would place the IceRays three points behind the third-place Ice Bats and just six points away from first place.
   Hall, who is just one win away from setting the WPHL for career coaching victories, never expected the race in the Eastern Division to be this close.
   "Since Christmas, I never thought we'd climb up the standings like we have," said Hall, whose IceRays spent most of the season battling to get out of fifth place.
   Austin was in first place in the Eastern Division for more than two months before going 5-8-1 in February, including a five-game losing streak. Bossier-Shreveport took over first place Feb. 18.
   Corpus Christi is 17-7-1 since a 3-0 loss to Austin on Dec. 26, which allowed the IceRays to close in on the Ice Bats.
   "I think we can catch Austin," forward Layne Roland said. "But we're still not out of reach from Monroe. They're still on our tail."
   "Shreveport was down for a while and now Austin has taken a dip," Hall said. "Of course Monroe is still there knocking on the door. The best teams are going to make the playoffs, and it's going to be a tight race."
   Hall knows being the best team in the division doesn't always guarantee success in the postseason.
   Five years ago, Hall began his coaching career with New Mexico of the Western Division. The Scorpions had clinched the division championship by the end of February and cruised through the final month of the season.
   Once in the playoffs, however, the Scorpions were eliminated in the first round by the fourth-place team in the division.
   "It's important to continue to have something to play for," Hall said. "For us, every game is important. You have to play your best hockey at the end of the year, and this season we might have the best finish we've ever had."

Staff writer Javier Becerra can be reached at 886-3734 or by e-mail at becerraj@caller.com

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