Same story for Bees

HIDALGO - The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and their fans only have four more games left of this painful and incredibly poor season.

On Friday night against the Austin Ice Bats, it looked like the Bees had already started the countdown to the offseason, with a typical 4-1 loss serving as proof. RGV (16-37-7) was outshot 41-26 by the Ice Bats and squandered a 1:36 two-man advantage over the second and third periods.

"Based on tonight's performance, a few of them aren't looking to achieve much," Bees coach Paul Fixter said. "I was rather disgusted by the performance put in by the some of the guys. Some of the other guys I thought played their heart out. There's still a reason to play, that's for sure."

The loss also assured the Bees a last-place finish in the Southeast Division, the second in franchise history. Avoiding that, combined with the possibility of hurting Austin's chase for the final playoff spot in the conference, should have been enough to inspire something from the Bees.

It wasn't, and it was obvious pretty early.

"It didn't seem like it," Bees captain Rob Voltera said. "It's pretty disheartening that guys can't come together and play for each other. I'd love to (be a spoiler), but I don't know about some of the other guys. We'll see what they have (tonight), and we'll see what they have to give."

Austin forwards R.G. Flath and Henry Kuster had both scored by the 6:11 mark of the first period, giving the Ice Bats (26-32-2) a 2-0 lead. Austin, which assured itself of staying ahead of Amarillo for the Southern Conference's final playoff spot, stretched its lead to 4-0 at the 10:42 mark of the second when John Ronan scored on a power play.

Only when a Voltera slap pass to Bonar was tapped in by Josh Bonar did the Bees avoid a shutout. Frankly, it didn't matter much or start a rally.

"I've been trying to talk them into games all year," Voltera said. "It's just not working, so, whatever."

ICING: Bees defenseman Josh Garbutt missed his fourth consecutive game Friday night. He hasn't played since leaving the ice last Saturday night with a facial injury. ... Austin and the Bees will meet again tonight at 7:35 p.m.

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.

ICE BATS 4, KILLER BEES 1

AUS                           2        2       0    -       4

RGV                           0        1       0    -       1

First period - 1, Austin, Flath 17 PP (Ronan, Wilson) 2:48; 2, Austin, Kuster 10 (Vandermeer, Bartlett) 6:11. Penalties - Eason, RGV (hooking) 2:14; Big Snake, RGV (hooking) 10:11; Big Snake, RGV (unsportsmanlike conduct-throwing the stick) 10:11; Big Snake, RGV (10-minute misconduct) 10:11; Veenema, Austin (hooking) 19:49.

Second period. - 3, Austin, Flath 18 (Bartlett) 5:29; 4, Austin, Ronan 17 PP (Tessier, Neal) 11:42; 5, RGV, Bonar 20 (Voltera, Banga) 17:27. Penalties - Eason, RGV (holding) 5:27; Big Snake, RGV (slashing major) 9:49; Big Snake, RGV (throwing the stick game misconduct) 9:49; Tessier, Austin (tripping) 18:07; Vandermeer, Austin (tripping) 18:31.

Third period -  No goals. Penalties - Van Hoof, RGV (high-sticking) 3:36; Wilson. Austin (hooking) 4:48; Warriner, RGV (holding) 10:44; Vandermeer, Austin (fighting major) 11:15; Maxwell, RGV (fighting major) 11:15; Slusher, RGV (high-sticking) 14:15.

Power-play opportunities: Austin 2-10; RGV: 0-2.   

Shots - Austin: 16-15-10-41 ;  RGV: 4-13-9-26

Goalies - Austin: Miguel Beaudry 26-25 (19-18-1); RGV: David Lemanowicz 41-37 (7-22-4);

A - N/A T - 2:22
    Referee - Mark Lemelin Linesmen - Brock Geris, Kyle Simms