ICERAYS WEEKLY

Nov 2, 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…

Thursday, October 30: Wichita Falls Wildcats 4, IceRays 7
Shots: Wildcats 33, IceRays 27
PP: Wildcats 2-for-5, IceRays 1-for-2

The Corpus Christi IceRays ended a three-game losing skid with a 7-4 win over the Wichita Falls Wildcats from the American Bank Center.

After trailing 1-0, IceRays defenseman Anthony Cortese knocked in the team's first goal at 16:44 of the first period to tie it up, 1-1, heading into intermission. From there, the IceRays scored four more unanswered goals in the second period: forward Nathan Bryer (5:27); Mason Krueger (5:41); Ryan Cusin (11:13); and Nic LaBurn (PPG, 12:39). The Wildcats added two more before the end of the period, but two more tallies in the third period by forward Connor Bucsis at 3:24 and LaBurn at 18:55 (empty net) put the game away.

Wildcats forward Kevin Charyszyn scored two power play goals (13:37, 1st; 16:14, 2nd) in the game, and forwards Evan Okeley (19:51, 2nd) and Austin Albrecht (12:33, 3rd).

IceRays goaltender Andrew Lindgren (6-2-2) picked up the win, saving 29 of 33 shots faced, and Wildcats netminder Austin Shaw (6-1-0) recorded his first loss of the year, stopping 20 of 26 shots.

 

Friday, October 31: Wildcats 3, IceRays 1
Shots: Wildcats 45, IceRays 25
PP: Wildcats 1-for-5, IceRays 0-for-2

The IceRays split their weekend series with the Wichita Falls Wildcats with a 3-1 loss on Halloween at the American Bank Center. The IceRays are now 0-1-0 on Halloween.

IceRays forward Nathan Bryer created the lone goal for the team at 17:50 of the second period. After trailing 2-0, Bryer's goal from forwards Nate Colwell and Nic LaBurn kept the game within reach.

Wildcats defensemen Jeff Baum (4:57, 2nd) and Cam Knight (8:31, 3rd), forward Shane Kuzmeski (5:59, 2nd) scored the trifecta of goals for Wichita Falls.

IceRays netminder Andrew Lindgren (6-3-2) earned the loss, turning aside 42 of 45 shots, while Wildcats goaltender Austin Shaw (7-1-0) came away with the victory, stoning 24 of 25 shots.

THIS WEEK…

Friday, November 7 vs. Odessa Jackalopes – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, November 8 
vs. Odessa Jackalopes – 7:05 p.m.

The Corpus Christi IceRays open up their 12-game season series this weekend against the Odessa Jackalopes from the American Bank Center. Over their last three seasons of competition, the IceRays have the lead in the frachise series 17-13-2, going 4-5-1 inthe 2013-14 season. The last time these two teams played (Jan. 18, 2014), the IceRays claimed a 4-0 victory on home ice. The best season the IceRays had against Odessa was in 2012-13, when the team pulled away with a 9-3-0 record in the season series.
PROMOTIONS: Friday is Frosty Friday with $1 beers available throughout the course of the game. Saturday is Pink in the Rink, sponsored by Corpus Christi Disposal Service, Radiology & Imaging, and South Texas Surgical Hospital. Fans are invited to support the cause by donating at the rink as well as wearing pink to the game. The IceRays will be wearing special pink jerseys throughout the weekend, and the team will auction them off after Saturday's game. During the game, the IceRays will be holding a silent auction. Proceeds and donations benefit the American Cancer Society. Saturday is also Caller-Times Family 4-Pack Night, where fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for $46.

The Odessa Jackalopes had a shootout-filled weekend against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, winning on Thursday 6-5 (SO) and dropping Saturday's game 3-2 (SO). Forward Derek Brown was the hero of Thursday's game, scoring two regulation goals and netting the game-winner in the shootout in the 2nd round. Brown also tallied one more goal and a shootout tally on Saturday but couldn't pull the team ahead. Forward Kenny Hausinger earned two goals and two assists on the weekend.

The IceRays (7-6-4) did improve their position with Lone Star idle and after splitting last weekend to grab two more points, moving into a tie for second place in the South Division with the Wichita Falls Wildcats. The Jackalopes (5-10-1) picked up three of a possible four points over the weekend, but they remain at the bottom looking up, sitting in last place in the South Division with 11 points, one point behind Amarillo and Wenatchee for sixth place.

ICERAYS BITS…

Six IceRays skaters recorded multi-point games in Friday's 7-4 win over the Wildcats, the most for a single game this season. This included three points (two goals, one assist) from forward Nic LaBurn and three assists from forward Wes Michaud.

After Friday's loss to Wichita Falls, four IceRays skaters saw their point scoring streaks come to a close. Forward Joe Chitwood earned one goal and three assists during his three-game streak, Ryan Cusin ended his team-high six-game streak with two goals and six assists, defenseman Logan Gestro had a season-high five-game point streak close with two goals and five assists, and forward Wes Michaud put together an eight-point effort (two goals, six assists) over his three-game point streak.

The IceRays finished out the month of October with a 4-4-2 record, earning ten points throughout the month. The team has moved up one position in the standings despite being outscored 29-34.

INJURY UPDATE…

Forward Brad LeLievre is probable for this weekend's games against the Odessa Jackalopes. LeLievre has missed the last six games with a lower body injury. His last game came on October 11 against the Lone Star Brahmas.

IN THE COMMUNITY…

The IceRays will be appearing on KRIS-TV (Channel 6) during 6News at Sunrise on Wednesday, November 5 between 5:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Members of the team, front office staff, and Stinger Ray will be making appearances during the morning show with morning show personality Candance Torrez live from the American Bank Center to promote and discuss Pink in the Rink.

– Go IceRays –