ICERAYS DROP SEASON OPENER, 4-3 (3-2 SHOOTOUT)

Sep 12, 2014

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays lost their season opener against the Topeka RoadRunners, 4-3 (3-2 shootout), at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kan. The IceRays now own a 2-2-1 record in the first game of the season and drop to 1-16-2 against the RoadRunners in the team’s history.

The RoadRunners got the scoring started at 6:33 of the first period when Daniel Rzavsky slapped a shot home right off the draw from Jasen Fernsler, giving Topeka the early lead, 1-0. The IceRays were able to tie the score, 1-1, thanks to a shot from the right point by defender Travis Howe. Forwards Tanner Lomsnes and Connor Bucsis recorded assists on the tally.

In the second period, the IceRays had a few chances on the power play to take the lead, including a 5-on-3 advantage when Topeka’s Tyler Hayes and Yu Hikosaka went to the box just one minute apart. The RoadRunners were able to fight off their three penalties in the period and also take the lead, 2-1. After a shot by Hayes to the left of the IceRays net bounced off the boards, Sam Rennaker found the puck on his skate and tapped it in at 17:01.

Topeka took an early lead, 3-1, at 1:59 in the third period when Fernsler walked into the slot and shot through the open seam. Rzavsky and Tyler Irvine notched assists. The IceRays fought back to bring the game within one, 3-2, at 3:06 on a shot from the top of the point from Lomsnes that found an open lane. Forward Wes Michaud picked up the lone assist. Michaud would later be the regulation hero, scoring with 17.3 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game, 3-3. Michaud’s shot went off the crossbar and right post but found the back of the net.

Neither team were able to score in the five-minute overtime, so the game was decided by a shootout. Defender Anthony Cortese and Lomsnes scored in the second and third rounds, respectively, to give the IceRays the lead, 2-0. However, three goals by Topeka went unanswered, the final coming in the seventh round by Daniel Brickley to net the RoadRunners the victory, 4-3.

IceRays Goalie Andrew Lindgren (0-0-1) received the loss, stopping 24 of the 27 shots he faced. Topeka’s Drew Vogler (1-0-0) earned his first win of the season, saving 29 of 32 shots. The IceRays play the RoadRunners again on Sunday, September 14 at 1:05 p.m. Coverage begins on SportsRadio Corpus Christi and FASTHockey.com at 12:50 p.m. with Countdown to Faceoff.

Individual and season tickets for the 2014-15 season of IceRays hockey are on sale with packages starting as low as $74. Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for season and individual ticket details or check out the pricing and seating chart online at www.goicerays.com. Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), and YouTube (IceRays TV).