TOPEKA TOPPLES CORPUS CHRISTI, 6-0

Feb 4, 2011

 

TOPEKA, KS – Corpus Christi could not solve Rasmus Tirronen and were shutout, 6-0, at the Landon Arena on Saturday night.  With the loss, the IceRays have now dropped their last four contests and are 17-26-2 (36 points) on the season.  With the victory, Topeka is now 31-8-3 (65 points) overall. 

The RoadRunners wasted little time offensively with a quick barrage of shots on Pheonix Copley.  Their offense sprung to life and in the span of 39 seconds the ‘Runners had a 2-0 lead after one period.  After a turnover on the IceRays’ power play, Nate Milam (15) connected at the 12:03 mark, shorthanded, off a hard wrist shot from the slot that rang off both posts and into the back of the net.  Then, just 39 seconds later, Brian Christie (16) made it 2-0 when a pass from Milam connected on his stick and he beat Pheonix Copley from in tight.  Topeka outshot Corpus Christi, 11-7.

Physical play escalated in the second period which led to the ejection of the Topeka forward Alex Vasquez.  After a tie-up in the crease of Rasmus Tirronen, Vasquez continued to fight Josh Obregon while on the ground which led to his game misconduct.  Michael Hill (30) added to the Topeka lead at the 19:27 mark when he was left unmarked near Copley’s crease and slid the puck into an open net.  Chance Creger dropped the gloves immediately after the goal with Kyle Sharkey.  Topeka held the 3-0 lead after two periods.  Shots were even at nine apiece.

Milam (16) scored his second of the night, 6:19 into the third period, when he collected a rebound in the slot and beat Copley to put the ‘Runners in front 4-0. Sharkey made it 5-0 after a scramble at the top of the crease at the 17:33 mark.  Daniel Dupell (10) scored on the power play with 23 seconds left in the third to cap the scoring at 6-0.  The teams clashed physically throughout the period which led to a total of 202 combined penalty minutes in the game.  Final shots were 38-23 in favor of Topeka.  Corpus Christi was 0-6 on the power play while Topeka went 2-7.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Rasmus Tirronen (shutout)
  2. Nate Milam (2-1-3, +3)
  3. Brian Christie (1-1-2)

Corpus Christi returns home for two games against the Texas Tornado on Thursday February 10th and Friday February 11th.  Puck drop is slated for 7:05 PM both nights.  Friday night is “PINK IN THE RINK” night as the team wears special pink uniforms to be auctioned off after the game with the proceeds of the night benefiting the American Cancer Society. Fans can catch the pre-game show on the flagship home of the IceRays, News/Talk 1440 KEYS, www.1440KEYS.com, with the voice of the IceRays, Ryan Holt, beginning at 6:50 PM.  The game will be available online through the league’s pay-per-view website, www.fasthockey.com.  For more information call the Rays’ front office at 361.814.PUCK (7825) or crash the net at www.goicerays.com.

 

                    “THE NEW ICERAYS…TOMORROW’S STARS”