Austin Ice Bats

December 31, 2007
Rayz Ice Bats Drop the Ball Against Corpus

(Corpus Christi, TX) - In the three games they've played this year between Austin and Corpus Christi, each outcome was decided by a goal…two of those games needed a shootout to decide the victor. On New Year's Eve, the Ice Bats entered the American Bank Center with a 1-2 season record against the Rayz. Three first period goals by the Rayz were enough to pull out the win. The final was 3-2, Corpus.

Corpus opened things up by scoring the first three goals of the game. Kevin Watters, Adam Powell, and Niko Tuomi all banged home goals for the Rayz. Powell and Tuomi's goals each came on the power play. At the end of the first, it was a 3-0 lead for Corpus Christi.

Ice Bats Coach, Brent Hughes, made a change in net for the second period. Miguel Beaudry was replaced by Doug Groenestege and the change ignited some life into the Bats who scored the only goal of the period to make it a 3-1 deficit. RG Flath banged home the rebound from a Henry Kuster wrist shot. Kuster and Brendan Cook were credited with the assists on Flath's sixth goal of the season. At the end of two periods, it was 3-1, Rayz.

In the third the Ice Bats would once again score in the first two minutes to make it a 3-2 lead. Brendan Cook scored on a rebound to notch his 10th goal of the season. Darryl McArthur and Kuster had the assists. The Ice Bats had a power play opportunity with 2:22 remaining, and pulled the goalie for an extra attacker, but could not tie the game up. Corpus won by a final of 3-2.

Next up the Ice Bats return home to Chaparral Ice Arena for a Friday contest with the Mississippi RiverKings. The puck drops at 7:35 PM and tickets are still available by calling (512) 927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

The Ice Bats are the AA Affiliate for the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros (AAA). The team is currently playing its 12th season in Austin. Single game tickets and mini-plans are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

December 30, 2007
Tessier Ice Bats' Tessier Selected as an All-Star

(Austin, TX) - The CHL All Star Game will take place in Broomfield, Colorado on January 16th and Defenseman, Jason Tessier will be there to represent the Austin Ice Bats.

The teams were announced yesterday by the Central Hockey League, and Tessier's will be playing for the Southern Conference. Tessier is second on the Ice Bats with 19 points on the year (8 goals, 11 assists). His eight goals place him tied for third on the team and his 11 assists are tied for second on the team as well.

In the CHL, Tessier's 19 points put him in the top 15 among Defensemen, and his 8 goals put him in the top 10. Tessier also serves as an Assistant Captain for the Ice Bats, spending most of his playing time on the top defensive line and on the Bats' top power play unit.

This is the fourth All-Star selection for Tessier who also was also selected in 2002, 2005, and 2007.

December 29, 2007
Jackalopes Ice Bats Shutout by Odessa

(Odessa, TX) - After scoring six goals in their previous victory the Ice Bats were hoping for more of the same as they visited the Ector County Coliseum against the Odessa Jackalopes. Unfortunately Mike Gorman was too much for the Bats to handle as they were shutout 2-0.

During the first period neither team could put the puck in the net but Odessa had the majority of quality scoring chances, and also had a goal waved off when Brian Swiniarski ripped a slap shot from behind the blue line that beat Ice Bats Goalie, Doug Groenestege, but was waved off because Odessa came in offside. There was no score at the end of one.

In the second period Odessa would open up the scoring on a Mike Rutter goal. Rutter would later add an assist on a second goal for the Jackalopes from Collin Circelli. Stuart Kerr for the Bats and Mario Joly for Odessa were both given game misconducts for fighting in the middle period. At the end of two, it was 2-0, Odessa.

It was a scoreless third period as the Bats could never get anything going offensively. The final score was 2-0, Jackalopes.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a New Year's Eve contest in Corpus Christi against the Rayz. The Bats are 1-2 against Corpus this season. All three games have been decided by a goal, and two of those games went to a shootout. The game can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin or at espnaustin.com. Since it's New Year's Eve, the puck will drop at 8:05 PM.

December 28, 2007
Thunder Ice Bats Get Offensive in Third Period, Win 6-3

(Wichita, KS) - It's been a tough stretch for the Bats, losing their first two games of this road trip to Laredo and their last five games as well. They came into the Kansas Coliseum to take on a Thunder team with just one more win than them on the season and exploded offensively in the third period to win 6-3.

The first period was evenly matched between the Thunder and Ice Bats. Both teams had two power play opportunities but could not convert, and both teams had their fair share of even strength scoring opportunities. The Ice Bats were able to bang home a goal on a two-on-one situation with :30 remaining in the opening frame. Ted Vandermeer banged home his fifth goal of the season on assists by Mike Bartlett and RG Flath. At the end of the first it was 1-0, Bats.

The offense and physical play picked up in the second period between both teams as Mike Batovanja tied the game scoring his first professional goal. Brendan Cook would give the Bats the lead again with a shorthanded goal. Darryl McArthur tallied the assist and for Cook it was his fourth shorthanded goal of the year. Wichita would bang home two more goals to take their first lead of the game on a pair of goals by Kyle Bruce and Tyler Hanchuck. At the end of two, it was 3-2, Thunder.

In the third period, the Ice Bats came out shooting by scoring two goals in the first minute. John Ronan tied the game up :43 seconds in and Brendan Cook gave the Bats a 4-3 lead with his second goal of the game. Mike Bartlett scored his fifth goal of the year midway through for the Bats to make it a two goal lead for the Bats, and then RG Flath added an empty net goal to make the final score 6-3, Bats.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a road game on Saturday against the Odessa Jackalopes. The puck drops at 7:05 PM and you can hear the action on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com.

December 22, 2007
Bucks Ice Bats Scrooged By the Bucks, 3-1

(Laredo, TX) - It was game two of the weekend series between the Ice Bats and Laredo Bucks at the Laredo Entertainment Center on Saturday night. Despite playing the same team in the same venue, the Bats were hoping for a different result from their Friday night loss. It was another close contest, but Laredo found a way to pull out the 3-1 win.

Once again it was a back and forth first period between both teams, and once again the only first period goal was scored on a funny bounce for the Bucks. A centering effort by Chris Korchinski deflected off the skate of Ice Bats defenseman, Aaron Wilson into the net for a 1-0, Laredo.

For two teams at opposite ends of the Southeast Division standings, Austin and Laredo have played some very close contests as this one looked like it would be no different and both teams continued to battle in period two, but this time it was the Bats who scored the lone goal of the period. Taylor Raszka banged home his fourth goal of the year on an assist by Stuart Kerr. At the end of two, the game was tied at 1-1.

Unlike the first two periods two goals was scored in the third frame. Matt Summer hammed a one time shot top shelf to give the Bucks a slim, 2-1 lead. The Bucks would add an empty net goal from Jeff Bes to make the final score 3-1, Laredo.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a road contest against the Wichita Thunder on December 27th. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin or espnaustin.com. The puck drops at 7:05 PM.

December 21, 2007
Bucks Bucks Top Bats, 4-2

(Laredo, TX) - The Ice Bats traveled to Laredo for a weekend series before Christmas against the Bucks. Both teams battled but Laredo came out on top at the Laredo Entertainment Center, 4-2 was the final score.

The first period was back and forth between both teams, and only one goal was scored. Jeff Bes let a slap shot go that was going over the goal, but deflected off the top of Miguel Beaudry's stick and in the net. Laredo led 1-0, at the end of the first.

Emotions picked up in the second period with back to back fights. Daniel Veenema and David Walker locked horns at center ice around the 8:00 mark, and after their penalties were assessed, Ted Vandermeer and Tyler Harder went at it. The offense also picked up as Andrew Desjardin and Serge Dube scored goals for Laredo. Kurtis Kisio put Austin on the board thanks to an assist from Darryl McArthur. At the end of two, it was 3-1 Laredo.

The Ice Bats had a chance in the third period when Mike Bartlett scored less than three minutes in to make it a 3-2 Buck lead. That's as close as the Ice Bats would get though as Adam Rivet put the game out of reach on a slap shot past Beaudry to make it a 4-2 score and that's how the game ended.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a Saturday night game against Laredo. The puck will drop in Laredo at 7:30 and the game can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin.

December 19, 2007
Ice Bats Get Ready for Laredo

(Austin, TX) - Coming off a 2-1 loss to Corpus Christi, divisional play continues for the Ice Bats with a weekend road series in Laredo, TX against the Bucks.

Laredo sits in the top spot of the Southeast Division with 38 points overall. The Bats have fallen 5 points behind Corpus Christi for the third place spot after the Saturday night loss at the hands of the Rayz.

This weekend will be the second and third trips of the season to the Laredo Entertainment Center for the Bats. Their last trip resulted in a 4-1 loss, but a competitive loss. Alex Penner scored an empty net goal to make it a three goal victory for the Bucks.

Friday's game will kick off a five game road stretch over the Christmas and New Year's holidays for the Ice Bats. After the Laredo trips the Bats will also visit Wichita, Odessa, and Corpus Christi.

All five road games can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. Friday's game begins at 7:30 with pregame coverage starting at 7:15.

December 15, 2007
Rayz Ice Bats Fall Short to Corpus, 2-1

(Austin, TX) - In their first two meetings of the season it a took a shootout to decide a victor between Corpus Christi and Austin. The two teams split both games. The Rayz returned to Chaparral Ice Arena for the second time this season on Saturday night. It was another close battle between the two teams, but this one would not exceed regulation. 2-1 was the final score in favor of the Rayz.

It was a scoreless and evenly played first period. Both teams had a few scoring chances, but neither team could convert. At the end of one it a 0-0 tie.

In the second period it was evident that both coaches told their teams to pick up the hitting and it showed as both teams increased their physical play. Offense was not a result however, as both teams skated to a 0-0 tie with one frame remaining.

The scoring drought finally ended in the third when Kevin Watters tallied a goal on an Adam Hogg assist. The Ice Bats would tie it up on Mike Bartlett's third goal of the year, and first as a Bat. The Rayz would have the last laugh though when Adam Hogg made it a 2-1 score in favor of Corpus. That's the how the game finished.

Next up the Ice Bats travel to Laredo, TX for back to back games against the Bucks next weekend. Both games can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com.

December 14, 2007
Sundogs Ice Bats Now 0-4 vs. Sundogs

(Austin, TX) - After coming up empty in three road games against Arizona back in November, the Ice Bats had a chance for revenge against the Sundogs at Chaparral Ice Arena on Friday night. Despite a very competitive game, the Bats came up on the wrong side of a 4-1 final score. It was the fourth win in as many chances this season for Arizona against Austin.

Sean Sullivan put the Dogs on the board first in the opening period on assists by Tyler Redenbach and Alex Leavitt. That was the only goal scored in the period, Arizona led 1-0 after the first.

In period two, both teams managed a goal a piece. Olivier Latendresse made it a 2-0 score for Arizona. John Ronan banged home a power play goal on assists from Jamie Thompson and RG Flath. It was Ronan's seventh goal this year. At the end of two, it was 2-1 Sundogs.

In the third Arizona's Karl Sellan added a power play goal of his own to give the Dogs a 3-1 lead. With just under two minutes remaining, the Bats pulled their goalie to gain an extra attacker. Alex Leavitt would add an empty net goal as time expired to make the final score 4-1, Arizona.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a home game against Corpus Christi on Saturday night at Chaparral Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:35. In two previous meetings between the Bats and Rayz it took a shootout to decide both contests.

December 12, 2007
Bucks Ice Bats Can't Convert Power Play Chances

(Laredo, TX) - The Ice Bats made their first trip to the Laredo Entertainment Center this season for a road contest against the Bucks. Although Laredo sits atop the Southeast Division and Austin is at the bottom, the game was very close between the two clubs. Austin trailed by two goals heading into the third period and had their chances, but could not close the gap. Laredo won 4-1.

It was a back and forth first period between the two teams at opposite ends of the Southwest Division standings. Serge Dube put the Bucks on the board first during a 5-on-3 power play. 1-0, Laredo. Both teams battled back and forth throughout the period and then RG Flath was able to tie the game up on a power play goal of his own. Jamie Thompson and Geoff Patton had the assists. It was Flath's third goal of the year. At the end of one, it was 1-1.

The second round went to the Bucks who were able to pull ahead with two quick goals. Jeff Genovy scored from a Brent MacSween pass to make it 2-1, Bucks. 1:04 later, Andrew Desjardins ripped a shot off the crossbar to score and make it a 3-1 Laredo lead.

The third period was a scoreless period, except for an empty net goal scored by Alex Penner. Austin had four power play chances to try and pull close but could not close the gap. The final score was 4-1, Laredo.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a Friday night home game when the Arizona Sundogs visit Chaparral Ice Arena for the first time this season. The puck drops at 7:35 and tickets are still available by calling (512) 927-7825 or visit icebats.com.

December 8, 2007
Killer Bees Offense Powers the Bats Over the Bees

(Austin, TX) - For the second time in a week the Ice Bats were hosting the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at Chaparral Ice Arena. The first game took a shootout to decide a victor, which were the Ice Bats. The second meeting was not as close as the Ice Bats offense powered them to a 5-2 victory.

The Bats opened up the scoring on a John Neal power play goal. It was his second of the year, Jamie Thompson and RG Flath had the assists. Austin led, 1-0, at the intermission.

The Bats would break things open in the second frame starting with an goal by Flath, assisted by Brendan Cook. The Ice Bats would then score a pair of goals in just eight seconds starting with John Ronan banging one home, then Henry Kuster followed. Thompson assisted on the Ronan goal and Cook on Kuster's. Rio Grande finally found their way onto the scoreboard when Lance Herauf scored. At the end of the second it was 4-1, Ice Bats.

Ladislav Kouba pulled the Bees within two scoring the first goal of the third period, but the Ice Bats would add one more of their own. Ronan setup Thompson for the Bats fifth goal of the game. The final score was 5-2.

Next up for the Bats is a road contest on Wednesday against the Laredo Bucks. The game can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com.

December 7, 2007
Oilers Late Power Play Goal Tops the Bats

(Tulsa, OK) - Despite failing to win three in a row for the first time all season, the Ice Bats had a chance to continue building momentum against a Tulsa Oilers team with just five wins on the season. A victory Friday night would make it three wins in the last four games for the Bats. The Austin power play came alive throughout the game, but it was a lone power play goal for Tulsa that would be the difference. 6-4 was the final for the Oilers.

The first period was quiet as both teams battled back and forth. Paul Kelly put the Oilers up first just :44 into the game. Jason Tessier would tie the game back up with a power play goal, Jamie Thompson and John Ronan had the assists. Then with just :20 remaining in the period Martin Kubaliak put the Oilers back up 2-1 heading into the first intermission.

In the second both teams would increase the offense as Tessier would notch his second power play goal of the night to knot the game at 2-2. RG Flath would then get in on the fun with a power play goal of his own to put Austin up 3-2. Tessier and John Neal assisted on Flath's goal. Kai Magnussen answered right back for Tulsa less than a minute later to tie the game back up. Then Warren McCutcheon made it a 4-3 Oiler lead with a deflection goal on a shot from Mike Looby, to head into the second break.

In the third, both teams continued to battle until Mike Looby scored the only power play goal for Tulsa to make the score 5-3. Henry Kuster answered back for the Bats with a power play goal of his own on assists from Brendan Cook and Aaron Wilson, but that's as close as the Bats would get. Jeff Christian scored an empty net goal to make the final score 6-4, Tulsa.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a home contest against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Saturday at 7:35 PM at Chaparral Ice Arena.

December 4, 2007
Brahmas Ice Bats Fall to 0-3 vs. Brahmas

(North Richland Hills, TX) - For just the second time all season the Ice Bats entered a game having won back to back contests, and they did so by claiming victory in a shootout. Tuesday night they rolled into the NYTEX Sports Center for their third meeting of the year with the Texas Brahmas. The first two decisions were decided by a goal with the Brahmas on the winning side of each score. This time the Brahmas found themselves on the right side of the final score, but a little more comfortably as the final was 4-1, Texas.

Similar to the game in Corpus Christi, the Ice Bats and Brahmas traded possession back and forth and only two goals were scored in the first two periods. Tyler Skworchinski scored his third goal of the year at 17:01 of the first period to give the Brahmas a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

In the second period it was much of the same back and forth, neutral zone play but Blair Manning was able to bang him another Brahma goal to make the score 2-0. That's where the score stood as the teams headed into the second intermission.

The Brahmas took control for good in the third period when Skworchinski scored his second goal of the game to make the score 3-0. Jason Tessier would give the Ice Bats some life with his seventh goal of the season. John Ronan had the assist and it was a power play goal. A turnover in the neutral zone created a two-on-one opportunity for the Brahmas and Jordan Cameron would shut the door on the Bats as he scored to make it 4-1, Brahmas.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a Friday road game against the Tulsa Oilers at 7:35 PM. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and at espnaustin.com.

December 3, 2007
Beaudry Beaudry Named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week

The Central Hockey League announced today that the recipients for the Oakley CHL Player and Goaltender of the Week for the period ending December 2nd, 2007 are left wing Brent Howarth of the Corpus Christi Rayz and goaltender Miguel Beaudry of the Austin Ice Bats.

Howarth had a point in each of the three Rayz games this week and finished with three goals and two assists. In Friday's 4-3 shootout victory over Austin, the St. Andrews, Manitoba native scored the game-tying goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation giving Corpus Christi a chance in overtime. In Saturday's 3-2 road victory over Laredo, the rookie forward scored the go-ahead goal for the Rayz giving them a 2-1 lead late in the third period and then on Sunday, Howarth scored the game's only goal for the Rayz in their 2-1 shootout loss to Austin. The 6-1, 195-pound forward has points in each of the last six games for the Rayz totaling five goals and five assists. Howarth ranks tied for third among rookies with nine goals and his 18 points are second among first year players.

Beaudry posted a pair of shootout victories last week allowing just three goals on 70 shots (.957 save percentage). The first win in the Verner, Ontario native's perfect week came on Saturday in a 3-2 shootut victory over Rio Grande Valley. Beaudry made 34 saves including seven in overtime and he stopped all seven shooters in the one-on-one session. On Sunday, the 5-10, 175-pound goaltender made 33 saves in the Ice Bats 2-1 victory over Corpus Christi and was a perfect five-for-five in the game-deciding shootout. For the season, Beaudry is 3-7-0 with a 4.11 goals against average.

In recognition of their achievements, both Howarth and Beaudry will receive a special gift from Oakley.

December 2, 2007
Rayz Ice Bats Win in Third Consecutive Shootout

(Corpus Christi, TX) - The Ice Bats skated into the American Bank Center looking for a little revenge from their Friday night shootout loss at the hands of the Corpus Christi Rayz. For the third straight night the Ice Bats would need a shootout to find the victory as the Ice Bats prevailed, 2-1.

The entire game was a back and forth battle between both teams, and scoring came in the first period alone. Kurtis Kisio put the Bats up 1-0 on his fourth goal of the year. RG Flath and Geoff Patton has the assists. Less than two minutes later Corpus Christi would tie the game up on a power play goal by Brent Howarth. At the end of the first it was tied at 1-1, and it would stay that way for the entire game.

For the third consecutive night, the Ice Bats found themselves playing a shootout. Friday night they lost to Corpus Christi, Saturday the beat Rio Grande Valley, and on Sunday the Ice Bats would get revenge. John Ronan scored the only goal in the shootout as the Bats topped the Rayz on the road to win the game 2-1.

Next up for the Ice Bats is a road game against the Texas Brahmas at 7:05 on Tuesday. The game can be heard locally on 1530 ESPN Austin and at espnaustin.com.

December 1, 2007
Killer Bees Beaudry, Ice Bats Steal a Shootout

(Austin, TX) - One night after losing in a shootout the Ice Bats found themselves in the same scenario against Rio Grande Valley at Chaparral Ice Arena on Saturday. This time however the Ice Bats would be on the right side of a shootout victory to top the Killer Bees, 3-2.

Rio Grande Valley netted the only goal of the first period on a Lance Herauf score less than five minutes into the first. That's where things would stand heading into the break.

In the second the Ice Bats took control by banging home two goal of their own. One by Ted Vandermeer right after the Bats killed off a 5-on-3 advantage for the Bees. The second came on the power play when Jason Tessier scored on a shot from the point. Brendan Cook and John Neal tallied the assists. It was the fourth goal of the year for Vandermeer and the sixth for Tessier. At the end of two, it was 2-1 Bats.

In the third Rio Grande used the power play to knot the game up at two with a Travis Bunga goal. In the overtime period neither team could break the 2-2 tie and the game headed to a shootout.

Only one goal was scored in the shootout and the fans at Chaparral had to wait seven rounds before Henry Kuster went five hole to seal the game for the Ice Bats, 3-2.

Goaltender Miguel Beaudry was named the first star of the game for a number of saves made in the late portion of the third period and his shootout performance. Kuster was number two, and Vandermeer was three.

The Ice Bats take to the road against Corpus Christi tomorrow. 3:05 PM is when the puck drops against the Rayz and the game can be heard on 1530 ESPN Austin and espnaustin.com. The Ice Bats fell to the Rayz in a shootout on Friday night.

The Ice Bats are the AA Affiliate of the Minnesota Wild (NHL) and the Houston Aeros (AHL). The team is currently in their 12th season in Austin. Season Tickets, Multi-Game Plans, and Group Discounts are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

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