CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (23-27-6) conceded three power play goals, and that was the different in their 3-2 loss to the Odessa Jackalopes (25-27-4) on Saturday night at the American Bank Center.
The opening goal came just before midway through the first period, and the goal favored the Jackalopes. At 9:59, forward Pierce Pluemer shoved a loose puck just shy of the IceRays’ crease to push the road side up 1-0. The IceRays pressed with a season-high 22 shots in the first period and finally found an equalizer within the final minute. IceRays forward Brad LeLievre was fed a pass by teammate Brady Crabtree and slotted the puck in the open right portion of the net at 19:35 to send the teams into the first intermission tied at 1-1.
Power plays dominated the second period, and the Jackalopes found the first two in the back half of the frame. Forward Hampus Sjodahl found a loose puck to the right of the net and slipped it through at 10:26 to regain the lead, 2-1. On the next power play at 13:07, Jackalopes defenseman Daniel Kiraly forced in a shot from the slot to double the road side’s lead, 3-1. The IceRays gained back momentum with their next power play at 15:16 thanks to a backhanded goal by forward Mason Krueger down low to draw within one, 3-2, heading into the third period.
The IceRays continued to pour shots on to Odessa in the third period and matched their season-high 48 shots set just under one month ago on February 27 against Odessa at home. Despite the continued pressure, the IceRays did not find the equalizer they were hoping for, falling 3-2 to the Jackalopes. Odessa netminder Dean Shatzer (11-15-3) earned the win, halting 46 of 48 shots, while IceRays goalie Dryden McKay (13-13-2) was saddled with the loss, stopping 28 of 31 shots.
The IceRays begin their final home weekend on Friday, April 1 at 7:11 p.m. and begin a two-game set and four-game stretch against the Wichita Falls Wildcats at the American Bank Center. Tickets are available at www.Ticketmaster.com and the American Bank Center Box Office. Coverage begins at 6:55 p.m. on SportsJuice.com, FASTHockey.com, and 87.7FM in-arena.
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).
