Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - IceRays are going into game looking to hold playoff spot

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Friday, March 16, 2001
IceRays are going into game looking to hold playoff spot
C.C. must beat Monroe to maintain Eastern Division fourth place standing, chance at a postseason run
By Javier Becerra
Caller-Times
Fear can be a great motivator.
   The next 10 days should provide ample trepidation for the Corpus Christi IceRays as they fight to stay alive in the race to make the Western Professional Hockey League playoffs.
   "With only six games left, the big thing for us is that we know we absolutely have to win," Hall said. "If we don't we're not going to be in the playoffs. We go into every game with that fear."
   The IceRays (35-26-3, 73 points) moved into fourth place in the Eastern Division standings last Wednesday night with a 4-3 shootout win over Austin. Monroe, in a battle with Corpus Christi for the final playoff spot in the division, visits Memorial Coliseum tonight.
   A win over Monroe (32-24-8, 72 pts.) would give the IceRays a three-point edge over the Moccasins, and would cut Corpus Christi's magic number to make the postseason to seven points. The Moccasins return to Corpus Christi next Friday for one last showdown with the IceRays.
   Like Hall, forward Brad Wingfield said the team is using the fear of missing the playoffs as a positive.
   "We're definitely scared," Wingfield said. "I think it's good. It puts our backs against the wall, and the only way to respond is to come out and win. Wins are all that's acceptable or else we're done, it's that simple."
   Also creating momentum was last Wednesday's victory over Austin, which avenged a 6-3 loss to the Ice Bats in Corpus Christi's previous game.
   Austin scored 22 seconds into the game to take a 1-0 lead. Corpus Christi took 2-1 advantage after the first period, but lost it in the second when the Ice Bats went up, 3-2.
   After tying the game in the third period on a goal by Cory Evans, Tobin Praznik and Dustin McArthur each scored in the shootout to give the IceRays the win and nudge in a standings.
   "When Austin came out and scored early, I'm sure the fans thought they were going to come out again and route us," Wingfield said. "Then we came out and scored two quick ones, but they went ahead again. In the end we showed Austin that when it comes down to crunch time, the IceRays are not going to die."
   Tupelo (40-20-5) remains in first place in the Eastern Division with 85 points. Austin (39-20-6) received one point for the shootout loss, and enough to move the Ice Bats ahead of Bossier-Shreveport, which played Lake Charles Thursday night.
   "It's great to have teams battling like this right down to the wire," Hall said. "Truth will prevail. If we're good enough to be in there we will be, and if we're not, we won't. Wednesday night we were playing for keeps. We've waited to the point where we can't afford to wait any longer."

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

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