ODESSA, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (17-15-1-3) score a goal late with the goaltender pulled but could not close the comeback in a 3-2 loss to the Odessa Jackalopes (14-18-4-0) on Friday night at the Ector County Coliseum.
Despite a physical and up tempo first period, scoring didn’t pick up until the second period, and for the third time in the season set, the Jackalopes struck first. At 3:59, Jackalopes forward Tyler Pietrowski snuck a shot from the left circle through traffic to jump out to a 1-0 lead. The IceRays found an equalizer within the final minute of the second period at 19:27 when forward Larry Jungwirth slotted a shot underneath the bar from in front of the net to tie the game, 1-1.
The Jackalopes jumped ahead with two goals in quick succession. Jackalopes forward Ludwig Stenlund knocked in a power play tally on the back door at 8:23 to nudge ahead followed by an even-strength goal at 9:23 from defenseman Nick Wilson, who came in as a back door trailer in the right circle to double the lead, 3-1. After pulling the netminder late in the game, IceRays forward David Baskerville found a pass from center Mason Krueger and slipped the puck through the goaltender to come within one, 3-2. However, with the goalie pulled, the IceRays could not finish the push at the end, slipping 3-2 to the Jackalopes.
Jackalopes netminder Jonny Hogue (8-9-1) earned the win, stopping 32 of 34 shots, while IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka (12-11-2) picked up the loss, halting 29 of 32 shots. The IceRays finish their two-game weekend against the Odessa Jackalopes on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7:05 p.m. from the Ector County Coliseum. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) and Hockey TV.
The IceRays return home to the American Bank Center on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:05 p.m. to begin a two-game weekend set against the Odessa Jackalopes. Season memberships for the 2016-17 season are still available with full and partial season plans. Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
