CORPUS CHRISTI ICERAYS
vs.
LONE STAR BRAHMAS
Saturday, November 21 at 7:11 P.M.
Game #21 • NAHL Game #228 • Series: Tied 1-1
American Bank Center • Corpus Christi, TX
Radio: SportsJuice.com • Video: FASTHockey.com • In-Arena: 87.7FM
Mobile: TuneIn Radio Twitter: @goicerays
Coverage begins at 6:55 p.m. with Countdown To Faceoff
Tonight’s Game: The Corpus Christi IceRays finish off their three-in-three series against the Lone Star Brahmas from the American Bank Center on Stars & Stripes Night, presented by Whataburger and First Title Company.
Head-To-Head: The IceRays dropped just their second game at the American Bank Center in ten attempts last night while drawing even in the season series at 1-1. The franchise series drops down to 9-7-2 since the 2013-14 season. Last season, the IceRays were edged in their eight-game series, owning a 3-4-1 record and winning three of four games in the Coastal Bend.
Last Night: Early goals dropped the IceRays in a 4-2 loss to the Brahmas on Friday night. Brahmas forward Peter Bates (1:42 1st) put the road team up 1-0 early in the game followed by two more Lone Star goals in the first period: Oskar Andren (PP, 13:31 1st) taking advantage of their first man-advantage and Carson Kelley (14:51 1st) to triple the lead, 3-0. Brahmas forward Troy York (12:13 2nd) added his first of the year for four-unanswered goals. IceRays forward Carter Johnson (13:05 3rd; 14:57 3rd) led the charge back with two quick goals late, but it wasn’t enough to come back in the 4-2 loss. Corbin Kaczperski saved 15 of 17 shots in the win, and Dryden McKay stopped 28 of 32 shots in the loss.
Oh, Canada!: Forward Carter Johnson has been hot in the recent stretch for the IceRays, picking up the only two goals for the team last night. His goals ends a 12-game scoreless drought (Oct. 2 vs. AMA, 3-2 W) and gives him a three-game point streak, amassing two goals and two assists in that span. He has two-straight multi-point games and has two multi-goal games this season with the other coming on Sep. 24 against WBS (3-2 OTW). He is also the only player with any multi-goal games. He now leads the IceRays with six goals and second in points (12).
Power Hour: While his goal-scoring run came to an end last night, an assist for IceRays forward Brad Power extends his point-scoring streak to four games, tying him with forwards Drake Lindsay and Jimmy O’Brien for the longest streak this season. He also has now scored points in seven of his last nine games, earning four goals and four assists in that stretch. With his assist, he is now tied with Mason Krueger in assists (7) and third on the team in points (11).
Going For One: For the sixth-straight game, the IceRays have been shut down on the power play, going 0-for-18 in that stretch, as well as being held to two power play goals over their last 11 games, converting two different times on 35 chances (5.71%), The team is at a franchise-low 9.09% conversion percent and the only team in the NAHL under 10.00% conversion. Of their seven power play goals this year, three have come in games at the American Bank Center, and the IceRays have scored one power play goal in each home weekend.
Threaded Through: After the early going of the season, the IceRays have had trouble keeping pucks out of their own net. Since Oct. 3, the IceRays have kept opponents to two goals or less just twice in 12 games: Oct. 17 @ AMA (2-1 OTL) and Oct. 24 vs. TOP (2-1 OTL). The IceRays have been outscored at a 2:1 ratio (44 GA – 22 GF) and are averaging 3.38 goals-against per game in that span. The team has also recorded just two wins since their weekend sweep of Amarillo on Oct. 2-3, going 2-7-3. In their previous seven games, the IceRays held opponents to two goals or less in six of eight games and earned a 4-4-1 record.
First Is The Best: The Lone Star Brahmas have taken control of games early this season to propel themselves forward to their strong record. In 17 games this season, they have scored the opening goal 12 times (70.59%) and have not lost in regulation, going 10-0-2. Additionally, the Brahmas have outscored opponents by just over a 3:1 ratio (22 GF – 7 GA), and most of their goals have come in the opening frame. Only six teams (Austin, Fairbanks, Lone Star, MN Wilderness, New Jersey, Wichita Falls) have over 20 goals in the opening period and three are above the Brahmas (WFS – 28; AUS – 25; FAI – 25).
Consistent Scoring: The Brahmas have provided consistent production over their recent string of success including yesterday’s win, scoring three goals or more in each of their last six games dating back to Oct. 30 (3-2 W @ AMA). In 17 games this year, the Brahmas have completed this feat 12 times and earned a 10-1-1 record when scoring three goals or more and 6-1-1 away from North Richland Hills. However, they remain in the middle of the pack in goals for this season.
South Division Standings:
Wichita Falls Wildcats (16-3-2, 34 PTS)
Lone Star Brahmas (12-1-4, 28 PTS)
Topeka RoadRunners (12-11-0, 24 PTS)
Odessa Jackalopes (9-7-1, 19 PTS)
Corpus Christi IceRays (6-11-3, 15 PTS)
Amarillo Bulls (5-14-2, 12 PTS)
Next Game: Following the Thanksgiving break, the IceRays head back on the road on Friday, Dec. 4 for their second trip to the Ector County Coliseum for the first of a two-game set at 7:05 p.m. against the Odessa Jackalopes. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) & FASTHockey.com.
