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Thursday, Mar. 11, 1999
Robertson, 'Rays fans honored
CC holds its own in WPHL Best of the Best
By MARK BUTTON
Staff Writer

   Not counting all the fist fights, there's a lot of love in the Western Professional Hockey League.
   Players, coaches, radio broadcasters and general managers recently displayed their affection for their WPHL peers in 42 categories - ranging from best overall player to best cheerleaders - in the league's second annual Best of the Best poll, which was released Sunday.
   And according to the poll, the love the Corpus Christi fans harbor for their IceRays has made them the best fans in the league and Memorial Coliseum the best place to watch a game of hockey.
   Corpus Christi, which solidified a playoff spot with its 4-0 victory against San Angelo Sunday, earned four first-place finishes in the Best of the Best team categories: Best Fans, Best Building Atmosphere, Best Logo and Loudest Building.
   "I've been to every building in this league and there are no fans nor any atmosphere that even comes close to what we have at the Igloo," IceRays broadcaster Jake Stevens said. "We have, without a doubt, the league's best home-ice advantage."
   Each of the 17 WPHL teams submitted a single ballot on which all the players, coaches, etc., were asked to vote. Five points were awarded to a first-place vote, three for a second place and one point for a third-place vote.
   IceRays All Star center Chris Robertson was voted the WPHL's Best Overall Player, edging out Abilene's Charles Poulin by a single vote.
   "It's a heck of an honor for him," IceRays coach Taylor Hall said of Robertson, who will miss Friday's home game against Arkansas as he left town early this week to attend a friend's wedding. "It will be interesting to see who wins the MVP award at the end of the year."
   Robertson also garnered first-place finishes for Best Stickhandler and Best Shooter in Shootouts. The 6-foot, 190-pound Calgary, Alberta native has converted in 12 of 18 shootouts and also finished in the top three for Best Playmaker and Smartest Player.
   "He carries the load for us," Hall said of Robertson. "He plays hard every single day, whether we have a full lineup or no one is out there. He is just so skilled. I think he keeps getting better every year."
   Robertson wasn't the only IceRays player to garner a top-three finish. In fact, each member of Corpus Christi's No. 1 scoring line - Robertson, Lorne Toews and Geoff Bumstead - earned a top ranking in at least one category.
   Toews was named Best Defensive Forward and took third place for Best Body Checker. Bumstead was named the league's Best Fighter in a landslide vote.
   "I'm very proud of finishing so high in both categories," said Toews, who has 32 goals and a +24 plus/minus rating. "Both categories epitomize my game. I try to play hard and play the body. It's nice that other teams recognize that."
   No one was surprised that Bumstead, the only WPHL player to amass at least 25 major (fighting) penalties and at least 25 goals in a single season, was named Best Fighter - least of all Bumstead.
   "I believe I am the best fighter in the league," he said. "But any of the top 10 could beat each other on any given night. I think I would beat them all nine times out of 10, though."
   IceRays All Star Regan Harper finished 12 points behind Alexandria's Matt Osiecki for first place in the Best Defensive Defenseman category and Corpus Christi veteran Craig Coxe took third place in Best Player in Faceoffs.
   The IceRays' No. 1 fan group - the IceGirls - finished one vote out of first place for Best Cheerleaders. The Lake Charles Treasures received 35 votes.
   The final results were passed around the IceRays locker room after Wednesday's practice. Most of the players agreed with most of the selections, however there were a few players who felt as though their teammates had been snubbed.
   "How did (Dave) Shute not get the fastest skater?" asked Coxe. "He's definitely faster than (Waco's Eric) Preston."
   Another IceRays player who deserved to make the list but didn't was Mike "Chicken" Tomlinson, one of the best penalty killers in the league.
   "Chicken was shafted," Shute said. "He's the best at killing penalties. No one voted for him because they all hate playing against him."
   Maybe the league's love only goes so far after all.
   IceCubes
   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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