From IB Media Services

Ice Bats "Emergency Squad" Wins

January 31, 1998

A shorthanded Ice Bats squad in a unusual Saturday day game were forced to start emergency goaltender Gumps Hanson while rookie David "Raging Bull" Antila also made his long awaited debut.

But were able to overcome a equally shorthanded "The Cows" team 6-1.

The limited reserves caused everyone to take extra long shifts which along with the standing water along the boards and in the corners, due to the unseasonably warm weather, made for difficult game conditions.

But the Ice Bats continually won the possession game while four Ice Bats beat the shaky Cow goaltending.

Duane "Killer" Koshiol who had two goals was the first to score. But the The Cows, who rarely tested Gumps Hanson, quickly came back to tie with their only goal which deflected off a Ice Bats defenseman's stick.

The unlimited ice time and the lack position discipline were ideal for Brainerd Bud "RangeRover"Baakkonen. Baakkonen scored the second and tie-breaking Ice Bat goal but afterwards when being relieved for one of his rare breathers could not remember what position he was officially supposed to be playing. "I'm all over the place" was the only clue he could give the player relieving him.

Duane "Killer" Koshiol's second goal and a score by Cris "Criss-Cross" Holst put the game out of reach.

Near the end of the game Paul "Danger Man" Wolfram was able to slap a couple of goals by the exhausted and beaten Cow's defense to finish out the scoring.

Wolfram who had been previously shutout all season was willing to celebrate a goal of any kind.

Wolfram credited the motivational help of his teammate for breaking him out of his long slump.