FAIRBANKS, ALASKA – Ben Myers stopped 48 of 50 shots, while Jake Durflinger and Wes Michaud each scored in the final period to complete the comeback with a 3-2 victory on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd inside the Big Dipper Arena.
Corpus Christi took the air out of the Fairbanks faithful at the 17:22 mark of the opening period. Martin Hojbjerg found Eric Purcell with a pass who went in behind the net of IceDogs goaltender Kevin Aldridge to wrap-around the first goal of the night to give the IceRays led 1-0.
The lead only lasted 30 seconds as Fairbanks electrified the opening night crowd when Viktor Liljegren went down the left wing side of the ice took centering a great pass to a wide open Colton Wolter who tapped puck into a wide open net, tying the game 1-1.
In the second period Grant Hutton picked up a two minute minor to put the IceDogs on the power-play. Fairbanks converted as Kyle Lee hit Chandler Madry with a cross-ice pass. Madry picked fired a wrist shot from inside the right wing circle, beating ‘Rays goaltender Ben Myers to give the ‘Dogs a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Corpus Christi came out firing on all cylinders in the third period and it paid off. Mikkel Hojbjerg flew down the right wing side of the ice and found a wide open Jake Durflinger going hard to the net who tapped it between the legs of Aldridge just 17sec into the third to tie the game up at two goals apiece.
The eventual game winner came off a knuckle-puck shot at the point. The puck rolled out to Malo Ville at the point. Ville fired a hopping puck towards the net that went off several players, including Wes Michaud and found a way by Kevin Aldridge at the 5:34 mark of the final period for a 3-2 lead.
The IceDogs pulled the goalie to get the extra attacker late in regulation but the IceRays held on for the 3-2 win.
Myers denied 48 of 50 shots in the victory.
The IceRays finish out the series with Fairbanks tomorrow night. Puck drops at 11:00PM CST, coverage begins at 10:45PM CST 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)
