Austin Ice Bats Secure Historic Home Playoff Spot
The regular season has officially wrapped, and the Bat Colony has a lot to celebrate. The Austin Ice Bats have secured a home playoff spot for the first time in franchise history, marking a huge milestone for the organization and its fans.
Now the focus shifts to the postseason as the Bats prepare to host the El Paso Rhinos in a first-round playoff series at Ice & Field this weekend.
Playoff Game Schedule
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Friday, March 13 — 7:20 PM
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Saturday, March 14 — 7:20 PM
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Sunday, March 15 — 2:35 PM (if necessary)
Fans are encouraged to pack the rink and help create one of the loudest atmospheres the Bat Colony has ever seen.
The Road to the Playoffs
The Bats battled through a demanding stretch of games over the past month to earn home ice.
The run began on January 25, when the Bats fell in a hard-fought matchup against the Brahmas, 6–4. The team quickly bounced back the following series, sweeping three games against Tulsa from February 6–8, gaining valuable momentum.
Later in February, the Bats faced the Brahmas again in a critical three-game stretch. They dropped the first game on the road 5–1 on February 25, but responded with authority back at home:
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February 27 — Bats win 5–4
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February 28 — Bats win 7–1
The regular season wrapped up on the road in Amarillo, where the Bats delivered two clutch performances:
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March 6 — 2–1 overtime win
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March 7 — 5–3 victory
Those final wins helped lock in the historic home playoff position for Austin.
Beyond the Rink: Community Impact
The Bat Colony continued making an impact off the ice throughout the month.
Players visited Steiner Ranch Elementary for World Read Aloud Day, sharing stories and encouraging young students to build strong reading habits.
The team also spent time at Reagan Elementary School, where players spoke with students during a school assembly about resilience, perseverance, and chasing goals.
Schools interested in bringing the Bat Colony to their campus next season can visit the Bat Colony Classroom page to get involved for the 2026–27 season.
In addition, Assistant Coach Joe recently appeared on KXAN to discuss youth hockey development and opportunities in junior hockey, continuing to grow the game throughout Central Texas.
A Historic Weekend Ahead
Everything now leads to this moment.
For the first time in Austin Ice Bats history, playoff hockey is coming home.
Grab your friends, bring your family, and come be part of Bat Colony history as the Austin Ice Bats take on the El Paso Rhinos at Ice & Field this weekend.
The playoffs start now — and the Bat Colony needs you. 🦇🥅🔥