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Thursday, Dec. 31, 1998
IceRays' team captain Praznik returns for division showdown vs. Fort Worth
Corpus Christi has slippery grip on first place in WPHL Central
By MARK BUTTON
Staff Writer

   Long-running streaks in sports can be a little like vanity license plates. They have a nice appearance, but oftentimes there isn't a lot of substance to them.
   That could be the case tonight, as 72 days of pride hang in the balance during the Western Professional Hockey League game between Central Division rivals Corpus Christi and Fort Worth.
   That's how long - 72 straight days out of a possible 79 - the IceRays have looked down on the rest of the division.
   Corpus Christi coach Taylor Hall said he is proud of the streak, especially with four players - all of whom are veterans - out with injuries for much of the season.
   Only a win tonight can keep the IceRays' first-place streak alive, but holding the Central's top spot for the entire year was never a team goal, Hall said. And that hasn't changed.
   "It's nice to be in first place for 72 days, but we're just working on winning," said IceRays forward Lorne Toews, whose eight goals this month give him 18 for the year. "If we stay in first place, great. If we fall a spot, well, that's going to happen from time to time."
   Corpus Christi (18-12-3) has a one point edge - 39-38 - on both the Brahmas (18-15-2) and Waco (18-14-2), which skates at fourth-place Central Texas (14-14-5) tonight. A Corpus Christi shootout loss (worth one point in the standings), combined with a Waco loss, would leave the IceRays with a share of first place in the Central.
   The puck is scheduled to drop at 6:05 p.m.
   Goalie Scott Barber said the streak has been great for fans, but anytime a team stays in first place for a long time, expectations rise - sometimes to unrealistic levels. The goal, he said, is to make the playoffs, which 12 of the 17 WPHL teams will do this season, then peak as a team in the postseason.
   "The big thing for us is that we had a bit of a rough stretch and we held on to first place," Barber said.
   Despite the team's current three-game losing streak, Corpus Christi heads into tonight's game with the possibility of newfound momentum. Back from injury is defenseman Jody Praznik, the team's captain and the first player Hall signed to an IceRays contract.
   Praznik, voted the WPHL's Defensive MVP in 1996-97, broke his left ankle on Oct. 30 in a home game against San Angelo, the ninth league game of the year. Since the injury, Praznik has missed 24 games, four more than he has missed due to injury during the rest of his 10-year career combined.
   "He adds to both sides of the game," Barber said of Praznik. "He's a great defensemen, and he provides a lot offense. He's a great shooter, passer and he skates well. He knows when to jump into the offensive play so he doesn't get caught out of position."
   Hall said Praznik's ankle is still tender, but he expected his captain to play his normal number of shifts.
   "He got his cast off three weeks ago, and he wanted to play that night," Hall said. "So you'll probably see him out there quite a bit."
   In addition to regular defensive shifts, Praznik quarterbacks the power-play and penalty units.
   "The ankle feels pretty good," Praznik said. "I'm not 100 percent by any means, but the doctor, Taylor and I felt it looks pretty stable. We thought I should give it a shot."
   Praznik will wear extra pads on his ankle to protect against re-injury.
   "I'm going to take it a shift at a time," Praznik said. "My biggest goal is to be standing at the end of the game. If I am, then I'm on my way back."
   Staff Writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613, through e-mail at buttonm@scripps.com or on the internet at www. caller.com

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