LAUB'S LATE GOAL HANDS ‘RAYS 4-1 LOSS TO ODESSA

Nov 2, 2013

ODESSA, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays struggled to convert on chances again as the Odessa Jackalopes tacked on three goals in the third period to win their third straight game over the ‘Rays 4-1 on Saturday night inside the Ector County Coliseum. 

After the comeback win last night, the Jackalopes decided to make the IceRays the team down in the first period.  Joey Palumbo took a pass from Chad Guderian and went behind the net and out to the hash marks back-handing the puck by IceRays goaltender Forbes Ploszaj for a 1-0 lead at the 6:43 of the first period. 

Corpus Christi continues to struggle cashing in on great chances.  After trailing 1-0 in the first period, Jake Durflinger tracked down a loose puck and had Wes Michaud with him on a two on none rush.  Durflinger elected to shoot from the right wing circle and fired the wrister off the post to keep the IceRays down 1-0 in the first.

In the third period, the IceRays pulled even with Odessa as Grant Hutton let a shot go from the point that Wed Michaud deflected by ‘Jacks goaltender Yoshihiro Kuroiwa at the 7:11 mark of the third.  It was Michaud’s third goal on the season for Corpus Christi.

Odessa responded with three straight goals that sealed the win and it started with Lukas Laub’s eventual game winner with 4:27 left in the game as he went around the IceRays defense and cut his way to the top of the crease sliding the puck behind Forbes Ploszaj for his sixth of the year to give the Jackalopes a 3-1 advantage.

The two goal lead came just 1:02 after the go-ahead tally by Laub. Austin Fletcher notched his first goal with the Jackalopes in only his third game and it couldn’t come at a better time.  Beating Ploszaj gave Odessa the 3-1 advantage and assisted by Mathieu Briand and Robb Stautz.

To cap off the night, Alex Alger shot in the empty net from the neutral zone with 1:25 left to go in the game and the Jackalopes moved out to a three goal lead at 4-1.  That was the final.

Forbes Ploszaj stopped 20 of 23 shots in the loss.

The IceRays return home this Friday against Amarillo for Stars & Stripes Night.  Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on 91.1FM KSGR, ksgr.org, ustream.com, and fasthockey.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 the team’s Youtube channel ICERAYS TV (@goicerays)