RiverKings, Ice Bats Meet in Finals Rematch

The Memphis RiverKings claimed the 2001/2002 Central Hockey League title by defeating the Austin Ice Bats four games to one in the championship series. With both clubs enjoying outstanding seasons once again, it wouldn’t shock anyone to see the clubs once again tangle in the 2002/2003 title series. This evening in Austin, the clubs play each other in the second of three head to head contests. December 15th, the Ice Bats won the first contest 4-3 in overtime, with Mike Gaffney scoring twice (including the overtime winner) and adding an assist. The clubs also meet the last weekend of the season, squaring off in Memphis on Saturday, March 15th.

As usual, the defending champion RiverKings are led by scoring ace Don Parsons, who led the CHL last season with 54 goals. Entering tonight’s tilt, Parsons is atop the CHL scoring race with 32 goals and 64 points, and is joined by fellow All-Star Derek Landmesser, who tops the CHL with a plus/minus rating of +25. A deep and talented group of forwards accompanies the pair, including Kahlil Thomas, Jay Neal, Brad Mueller, Jonathan Gagnon and Michal Stastny, who ended last season with his overtime goal in Game 5 of the finals. The RiverKings leadthe Northern Conference with 52 points entering today’s games.

In Austin, the Ice Bats have taken a different approach this season than last, and the results have been tremendous. Last season the Bats boasted one of the most powerful offenses in the CHL, but fell one step short of their goal. There hasn’t been a better defensive team than Austin this year, who has given up a CHL low 69 goals to date behind starting Southern Conference All-Star goaltender Matt Barnes, who leads all netminders with 22 wins, a 1.64 goals against average, and a 94.5 save percentage. Barnes is also a single shutout away (along with Tulsa’s Rod Branch) from tying the all time combined CHL/WPHL record of 8 in a single season, set by Odessa’s Grant Sjerven in 2000/2001. Defensemen Gaffney and Darryl McArthur have also earned CHL All-Star status, as has forward Kelly Smart, who leads the team with 20 goals. The Bats lead the CHL with 59 points, and have gone 12-2 on home ice this season.

While tonight’s game likely won’t determine anything more than bragging rights, it should serve as an excellent barometer for both clubs entering the final two months of regulation play.

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