ICERAYS SKATE AWAY WITH A CLOSE 3-2 VICTORY OVER THE WILD

Oct 2, 2014

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays surged ahead early and slipped away with a 3-2 victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Friday night from the American Bank Center. The IceRays have now won both games from the American Bank Center and are 4-0-0 in home games thus far.

Defenseman Anthony Cortese helped the IceRays score first at 7:43 of the first period to give the IceRays the lead, 1-0. Cortese found a loose puck at the top of the slot off a Logan Gestro shot was blocked, and he found room to snipe it home for his fifth goal of the season. Just a few minutes later, the IceRays increased their lead, 2-0, at 11:12 of the same period. Gestro earned his second point of the night and first goal of the season by slotting one home top shelf. Forward Wes Michaud earned the lone assist on the play. After that goal, Wild starting goaltender Forbes Ploszaj was pulled for the night’s backup, Michael Bullion.

That wouldn’t stop the IceRays from increasing the lead at 15:45 in the second period. After Cortese was denied on an initial shot attempt, a loose rebound found space for the newest IceRay, forward Nathan Colwell, and he stuffed home an easy chance with a wide open goal to move the lead to three, 3-0.

The Wild would answer in the third period at 3:58 when former IceRay defenseman Ryan Chiasson knocked in his second goal of the season to cut the deficit, 3-1. Foward David Powlowski earned the lone assist on the play. Nerves rose late in the period as Stevie Bryant brought the game down to one, 3-2, at 15:08. Lubomir Fetkovic garned the lone helper. The Wild pulled Bullion late in the period, but the IceRays held off the Wild to earn the win.

IceRays goaltender Andrew Lindgren (4-0-2) earned the win, stopping 29 of 31 shots faced. Wild netminder Ploszaj saved six of nine shots before being pulled for Bullion (0-1-0), who picked up the loss despite turning away 19 of his 20 shots faced.

The IceRays return to action on Saturday, October 4 when they host the Wenatchee Wild. Opening faceoff on both nights is at 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. with Countdown to Faceoff on SportsJuice.com and FASTHockey.com.

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).