Ice Bats Extend Losing Streak to Five Games, Make Roster Moves

After falling behind 4-0 on the road vs. Corpus Christi Tuesday, the Bats scored three unanswered to get within a goal of tying the game but weren't able to keep the Rayz from extending their lead and winning 5-4. This brings Austin's losing streak to an unfortunate total of five games. But, believe it or not, they actually managed to convert on the power play going one-for-five for the game with a man advantage on Henry Kuster's second-period goal. Michael Tucciarone picked up two goals and assist during the Bats' loss. Austin returns home this Sunday for a 4pm game vs. the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs after two more on the road this Friday and Saturday (against Odessa and Bossier-Shreveport respectively).

On Monday, the Houston Aeros of the AHL assigned defenseman Chris Ovington (a sixth-round NHL Draft pick of the Florida Panthers in 1998) to Austin. The Bats signed Ovington to a five-game tryout contract. Another former Aero and current Ice Bat goalie Tony Quesada was signed to a standard contract after his five-game contract recently expired. To make room for Quesada on the roster Austin traded goalie Kevin Couture to Arizona for forward Marty Doyle and future considerations. Couture was 5-7 with a 2.80 GAA in 12 starts for the Ice Bats. In other roster moves, the Ice Bats activated defenseman Doug MacIver and dealt him to Memphis as future considerations from an earlier trade and traded forward Tim Earl to Wichita for future considerations.