Ice Bats Earn First Governor's Cup

The Austin Ice Bats have clinched the Central Hockey League’s Governor’s Cup Trophy, presented to the CHL’s regular season champion. The regular season title adds another component to an already outstanding season for the ‘Bats, who have already won the Southeast Division and now will benefit from having home ice advantage for the duration of the Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship.

Last year Austin fell short of their goal of hoisting the President’s Cup, falling to the Memphis RiverKings in the finals. This year, Austin has exceeded even the most optimistic hopes during the regular season, posting a mark of 45-13-4 entering the final weekend of play. How good have the ‘Bats been this year? Austin has a record of 21-6-3 away from home, and has more wins away than nine teams do at home.

The ‘Bats rank in the top five in both CHL penalty killing and power play efficiency, and are easily the best defensive team in the League statistically, allowing an average of just 2.16 goals against per game behind netminder Matt Barnes, named the CHL’s Most Outstanding Goaltender on Thursday after leading the CHL in numerous categories.

Offensively, while the ‘Bats haven’t been the dominant force they were last season, they clearly owe their success to being an extremely balanced club. Six players have scored more than 40 points this season, while a total of 16 players have accounted for double digit point totals, including team leader Kelly Smart, with 70 points. Add in experience and leadership in the form of winger Jeff Greenlaw, a tenacious work ethic spearheaded by forward Tab Lardner, and team toughness led by pugnacious forward Shawn Legault, and Austin has all the pieces in place to make a strong run at capturing their first ever playoff title.

Despite the Governor’s Cup title, Austin still could play any one of three opponents in the first round of the President’s Cup playoffs. Entering weekend action, Corpus Christi, New Mexico and Lubbock were all deadlocked with 63 points and three games left on their schedule.

| Back to index...

Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
October 2001
September 2001
July 2001
May 2001
February 2000