FOUR-GOAL THIRD PUSHES ICERAYS TO 5-2 WIN

Jan 15, 2016

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (15-16-3) scored four goals in the third period to take down the Lone Star Brahmas (22-8-5) 5-2 on Friday night at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The win is their first on the road against the Brahmas since Feb. 24, 2014.

The IceRays spent a lot of time on special teams in the opening period due to a couple large penalties, but the lone goal of the frame came in 4-on-4 play. Brahmas forward Cody Wickline fed forward Alex Berardinelli for a backhanded redirection right in front of the IceRays net on a rush to take a 1-0 lead at 5:52. Just before midway through the period, IceRays forward Stevie Bryant took a five-minute major penalty for a high hit, but the road side fended off the advantage and kept the game within reach.

Momentum shifted toward the IceRays side of the pendulum in the second period, and the road side capitalized on an early power play. At 2:27, forward Regen Cavanagh redirected a shot coming from forward Drake Lindsay at the blue line to tie the game, 1-1. The IceRays pressed better offensively, outshooting the Brahmas 7-5 in the middle frame, but more untimely penalties took away their advantage. Cavanagh was also called for a high hit, and the IceRays worked to force it away crossing into the third period.

After killing off the penalty, the IceRays scored two quick goals to regain the favor. Forward Brad Power forced a jam to the right side of the net and poked it through the netminder to give his side a 2-1 lead at 3:53. One minute later at 4:53, defenseman Cody Lichtenvoort rifled a shot from the left circle for his first of the year to double the lead, 3-1. Later in the period with the IceRays on the power play, Berardinelli grabbed his second on a shorthanded play at 15:15 to draw within one, 3-2. Less than a minute later, IceRays forward Carter Johnson was left wide open in the slot on the power play, launching a shot top-shelf to double back the lead, 4-2, at 15:50. Just before the final buzzer at the 20:00 mark, Johnson scored the team’s first empty net goal to seal the 5-2 win.

IceRays netminder Graham Hunt (10-9-2) earned the win, saving 17 of 19 shots. Brahmas goaltender Conor O’Brien (7-3-4) picked up the loss, stopping nine of 12 shots in 44:46 minutes, and Corbin Kaczperski turned aside four of five shots in 12:40 minutes. The IceRays finish out their weekend and six-game road trip on Saturday, Jan. 16 against the Lone Star Brahmas from the NYTEX Sports Centre. Coverage begins at 7:15 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) and FASTHockey.

The IceRays return to the American Bank Center on Thursday, Jan. 21 for the first of two games against the Topeka RoadRunners. Contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK or go to www.goicerays.com for details on season tickets along with pricing and seating. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).