CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (25-15-3-3) saw a two goal lead in the third period evaporate, eventually falling 4-3 in overtime to the Wichita Falls Wildcats (27-15-3-2) on Friday night from the American Bank Center.
The first period had just about everything a fan could have asked for, including the IceRays opening the scoring. While on the penalty kill, IceRays forward Brad Power raced to a loose puck in the neutral zone and deked the Wildcats netminder on a breakaway at 4:55 for his third shorthanded goal of the season and a 1-0 IceRays lead. IceRays forward Brendan Miller sparred with Wildcats defenseman Domantas Cypas after an open ice hit, which kick started momentum and bounces. The IceRays scored next at 14:28 when center David Thomson tapped in a loose puck in the low slot to edge back ahead, 2-1. Just before the period horn, IceRays center Mason Krueger swatted a cross ice pass through midair and into the net at 19:24 to double the lead, 3-1.
After a quiet second period, the Wildcats found life in the third period off secondary chances. At 8:35, Wildcats forward C.J. Regula found a loose puck after an acrobatic save, came into the slot and wristed a shot by the netminder to draw the road side within one, 3-2. With the goalie pulled, Rosa found his second goal of the night on another rebound chance to tie the game at 18:49 and send the contest into overtime. In the extra period, Wildcats forward C.J. Walker stuffed in a wraparound attempt from behind the net to seal the 4-3 win in comeback fashion.
Wildcats goaltender Jared Dempsey (13-5-1) earned the win, halting 34 of 37 shots, while IceRays netminder Camden Burggrabe (9-4-2) picked up the overtime loss, stopping 29 of 33 shots. The IceRays close their eight-game home stand on Saturday, Mar. 4 at 7:05 p.m. from the American Bank Center and close their weekend with the Wildcats. Tickets are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsJuice.com, Hockey TV and 87.7FM.
Join the IceRays in their push for the 2017 Robertson Cup Playoffs and pick up an 8-game or reduced season ticket plan! 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).
