CALLER-TIMES INTERACTIVE: NEWS

Thursday, Oct. 15, 1998

Players, Coliseum surface pass early tests by CC coach

Despite slow start, Hall pleased with effort heading into Alexandria contest

By MARK BUTTON
Staff Writer

   Corpus Christi IceRays coach Taylor Hall had some report cards to grade following Tuesday's 4-3 opening night loss to Austin.
   The team received passing marks, although it failed to impress the coach during the first period of play when the Ice Bats stuck two goals past goalie Frank Caprice. Once trailing, 4-0, in the second period, however, the team responded with three goals and a feverish attempt at a tying goal within the game's final 45 seconds.
   The late effort pleased Hall, who said he hoped the team would be prepared to play 60 minutes - not 40 - against the Alexandria Warthogs tonight. Face-off for the Western Professional Hockey League game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
   One of the Tuesday night's highest grades went to an unsung, inanimate piece of the IceRays' puzzle: The ice surface at Memorial Coliseum.
   Installation delays and construction setbacks had the IceRays staff sweating during the weeks prior to Tuesday's game. With no home ice three weeks before the season, the team was forced to hold training camp in Austin. Additionally, the IceRays canceled an intrasquad scrimmage on Oct. 3, because of melting ice.
   By the time the lights went on opening night, the surface was as cool as you-know-what.
   "Actually, I think it's in real good shape," Hall said. "The chiller's doing its job and the ice held up well. I don't think the players skated as well as they could have; we were standing still a lot in the first period. But that had nothing to do with the ice."
   Although he has seen better, Austin coach Al Tuer complimented conditions at the Igloo.
   "You have to remember I'm from Moose Jaw, (Canada), so the ice wasn't as good as up there, but I thought it was pretty good," Tuer said. "(The building) had a good atmosphere. The size of the rink made for a quick game, quick transitions. It's exciting for the fans.
   "I think eventually they'll probably want something bigger, but right now it's a pretty exciting place to be."
   Now a part of Corpus Christi history as he scored the first IceRays goal, Tyler Boucher said it will take some time to get used to the smallish rink size at the coliseum.
   "There's no room for fancy stuff out there," Boucher said. "Most of the goals are going to be right in front of the net."
   Most Western Professional Hockey League rinks measure 200 feet by 85 feet. The IceRays' surface is 180 feet by 85 feet. The 20-foot loss of ice is most evident by the lack of space behind the nets.
   Hall knew the rink was small and he recruited players accordingly.
   "You will see some skilled-scored goals," he said, "but like Tyler said, we're a real hard-working, banging type of team."
   

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