ICERAYS WEEKLY

Dec 7, 2014

The IceRays Weekly is a weekly recap and preview of IceRays news, games, and more. The IceRays Weekly will be released every Monday during the 2014-15 season.

LAST WEEK…

Wednesday, December 3: RGV Killer Bees 2, IceRays 4
Shots: Killer Bees 38, IceRays 19
PP: Killer Bees 0-for-7, IceRays 3-for-8

The Corpus Christi IceRays broke a two-game skid with a 4-2 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Wednesday from the American Bank Center. Both teams combined for a season-high 160 penalty minutes.

Defenseman Pierre Crinon (PP)(10:19, 1st) opened the scoring for the IceRays to jump to a 1-0 lead. After two answers by the Killer Bees, forward Ryan Cusin (8:11, 2nd) tied the game 2-2. Forwards Nic LaBurn (PP)(8:41, 2nd) and Wes Michaud (PP)(17:28, 2nd) added the game-winning and insurance goals to create the win. Killer Bees forwards Parker Wood (13:07, 1st) and Andrew Green (1:38, 2nd) were the lone tallies for the Killer Bees.

IceRays goaltender Andrew Lindgren (10-4-2) earned the win, stopping 36 of 38 shots, while Killer Bees netminder Ben Johansson (6-4-3) picked up the loss, saving 15 of 19 shots.

 

Friday, December 5: IceRays 1, Wichita Falls Wildcats 7
Shots: IceRays 22, Wildcats 38
PP: IceRays 1-for-5, Wildcats 1-for-4

The Corpus Christi IceRays couldn't overcome a strong offensive game from the Wichita Falls Wildcats, falling 7-1 on Friday from Kay Yeager Coliseum.

After trailing 3-0 in the first period, forward Tanner Lomsnes (PP)(12:15, 1st) created the lone bright spot for the IceRays, tallying the team's only goal to bring the deficit within two, 3-1. The Wildcats finished the game with four unanswered goals. Forwards Max Reisinger (2:28, 1st; 15:23, 2nd), Paul Soubry (5:15, 1st), Colin Staub (10:36, 1st), Kevin Charyszyn (2:10, 2nd), and Jonathan Lazarus (2:51, 3rd) scored for the Wildcats, with defenseman Matt Koch (20:00, 2nd) notching the only goal from the blue line.

Wildcats goaltender David Zevnik (7-4-0) earned the win, turning aside 21 of 22 shots, while IceRays netminder Andrew Lindgren (10-5-2) picked up the loss, stopping 8 of 11 shots in 10:36 minutes played. Luke Pickar saved 23 of 27 shots in 49:24 minutes.

 

Saturday, December 6: IceRays 2, Wichita Falls Wildcats 8
Shots: IceRays 24, Wildcats 24
PP: IceRays 2-for-8, Wildcats 2-for-5

The Corpus Christi IceRays fought through illnesses to play a stronger game on Saturday from Kay Yeager Coliseum, but luck was not on their side as they dropped 8-2 to the Wichita Falls Wildcats.

The Wildcats took a 5-0 lead into the third period before forward Ryan Cusin (PP)(1:41, 3rd) was able to tally first for the IceRays. Another Wildcats goal came across before forward Connor Kelly (PP)(6:15, 3rd) scored once again for the IceRays to bring the score to 6-2. Two more went through before the Wildcats were finished, resulting in the 8-2 loss. Forwards Austin Albrecht (SH)(10:45, 1st), Evan Okeley (PP)(14:27, 1st), Erich Jaeger (19:43, 1st), Kevin Charyszyn (3:47, 3rd), Tommy Apap (PP)(9:20, 3rd), and Max Reisinger (19:51, 3rd) netted goals with defensemen Cam Knight (3:22, 2nd) and Shane Kuzmeski (SH)(14:56, 2nd) slotting tallies from the blue line.

Wildcats goaltender Austin Shaw (11-1-0) picked up the win, stopping 22 of 24 shots, while IceRays goaltender Andrew Lindgren (10-6-2) earned the loss, saving 16 of 24 shots.

THIS WEEK…

Thursday, December 11 vs. Amarillo Bulls – 7:05 p.m.
Friday, December 12 vs. Amarillo Bulls – 7:05 p.m.

The Corpus Christi IceRays head into the holiday break with a two-game set against the Amarillo Bulls on Thursday and Friday. The two teams met for one weekend set already this season, with the Bulls sweeping the IceRays 5-4 (SO) and 6-3 from the Amarillo Civic Center on Oct. 24 & 25. The IceRays trail 0-1-1 in the season series while also trailing 10-30-2 over the past five seasons. The last IceRays win against the Bulls came on Feb. 26, 2013 in a 4-1 win at the American Bank Center.
PROMOTIONS: Both games this week are headlined by an art exhibition by Masters of Arts student Cole Vittetoe of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi entitled "12 Jerseys: A Celebration of Family, Friends, and Hockey." Cole will have a special display of artwork that ties in both the most influential members of his life with his favorite sport: hockey. He will also have artwork available for purchase through a silent auction taking place during both games. For more information on Cole Vittetoe, visit his website at www.colevittetoe.com. Thursday is also Twofer Thursday with fans able to purchase one ticket and receive a second for free as well as the ability to buy one slice of Hunt Brothers Pizza and receive another slice of cheese pizza for free. Friday is Frosty Friday with $1 beers on tap throughout the course of the game.

The Amarillo Bulls swept their road weekend set against the Odessa Jackalopes 4-3 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday from Ector County Coliseum. After trailing 2-0 in Friday's contest, the Bulls charged back with four unanswered goals in the final two periods to claim the win, while Amarillo scored four unanswered to start Saturday's contest with the Jackalopes only scoring in the third period. Forward Luke Novak led the way with three points (2+1=3), scoring both goals on the power play during Friday's game. In total, seven Bulls players earned multi-point weekends.

The IceRays (13-10-4) picked up two points in their three-game week and now hold onto fourth place in the South Division by one point over the Wenatchee Wild. With 30 points, the IceRays also trail the Lone Star Brahmas by five points after they swept last weekend. The Bulls (9-14-2) head into the week's games with 20 points, now only two points behind the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for sixth place and a playoff spot.

ICERAYS BITS…

The IceRays finished their weekend with the largest goal differentials in a two-game set. The IceRays were outscored 15-3 over their past two games while being held under 25 shots for the fifth-straight game. The team is averaging 21.00 shots per game with 2.00 goals per contest, while opponents average 29.00 shots per game and 4.60 goals per contest. The team is 1-4-0 in their last five games with their lone win coming in their sole home game on Dec. 3.

Forward Ryan Cusin continues to find ways to score points, notching a none-game point streak thanks to a two-point weekend against the Wildcats. Over his last nine games, the Michigan native has 13 points (7+6=13) with two power play goals and five power play assists. His streak is the longest by an IceRays player this season.

Defenseman Pierre Crinon was selected to Team France for the 2015 U20 Division 1 – Group B World Junior Championship in Hungary. The Reims, France native is making his fifth appearance at the World Junior Championship and sixth international stint for France. Crinon has played 22 games of international competition at the U20 and U18 levels, recording eight assists with 62 penalty minutes and a -9 rating. He missed Saturday's game against Wichita Falls and is slated to miss both games this week.

The IceRays have played 15-straight games without a full lineup available to take the ice. The last time no player was missing due to suspension or injury was back on Oct. 11 against the Lone Star Brahmas in a 5-2 loss from the NYTEX Sports Center. In that span, three players have been suspended four times, six players have sustained injuries, one player missed due to an illness, and one is currently on international duty. Despite the return of forward Joe Chitwood on Friday, the possible activation of defenseman Logan Gestro from injury, and a potential fully healthy lineup, the IceRays will still be one player short to continue the streak to 17 games following Friday's contest.

IN THE COMMUNITY…

The IceRays will be taking their annual holiday card portrait tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. at La Palmera Mall. The players and staff will be joined by Santa Claus and his helpers to help bring in the holiday season.

Also on Tuesday, the IceRays are partnering with Lopez Broadcasting for a Cram The Van drive form 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Wal-Mart on 4109 S. Staples Street. Majic 104.9 and 93.5 La Isla will be broadcasting live throughout the day to help advertize for the drive, and the IceRays will have their van parked in the parking lot to place donations. All donations will benefit Corpus Christi Metro Ministries and the homeless shelters in the Corpus Christi area.

On Wednesday, December 10, the IceRays will be participating in Shop With A Cop starting at 8:40 a.m. at the Wal-Mart in Portland. Players will be shopping with members of the Gregory-Portland Police Department and surrounding area law enforcement officials. The event is presented by the Gregory-Portland ISD and Police Department.

Also on Wednesday, Stinger Ray and two IceRays players will be at the Mattress Firm on Five Points from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to help their annual toy drive. The event is open to the public.

 

– Go IceRays –