BLAKE BENNETT BACKHANDS IN OVERTIME WINNER SATURDAY

Jan 12, 2019

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Blake Bennett sent in a backhand shot with 46 seconds left in overtime as the Corpus Christi IceRays defeated the Shreveport Mudbugs 3-2 Saturday night in front of 3,853 fans at American Bank Center.

Nikita Krivokrasov recorded a three-point night (1+2), including the primary assist on Bennett’s winner. Sam Best made 43 saves between the pipes. Nicholas Seitz notched two points (1+1).

The IceRays (20-15-1-0, 41 pts.) went two-for-two on the weekend, building a three-point lead on Shreveport (16-14-2-4, 38 pts.) for sole possession of second place in the NAHL South Division.

Seitz’s goal opened the scoring at the 7:49 mark of the second period, taking advantage of Corpus Christi’s only power-play opportunity of the game. The goal, his 11th of the season, and sixth on the power play, was assisted by Krivokrasov and Michal Juscak.

Just over two minutes into the third period, Shreveport’s Tim Clifton sent a cross-ice pass to Gueorgui Feduolov, who tied the game, 1-1.

Krivokrasov jammed in a loose puck at 5:26 to regain the lead for the IceRays, but the Mudbugs found another tying goal, this time from Conor Witherspoon at 12:49.

Shreveport had the first four shots of overtime but Best shut the door each time. In the final minute, Krivokrasov helped Bennett follow up on his shot on Shreveport’s Richie Parent, as Bennett sent the rebound in past the sprawled-out netminder.

The Mudbugs outshot the IceRays by a 45-36 margin. Corpus Christi’s perfect night on special teams included going three-for-three on the penalty kill.

The IceRays return to the road next weekend with a pair of games in North Richland Hills against the Lone Star Brahmas. Faceoff on Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19 is set for 7:30 PM CT. IceRays games are carried live on Sportsradio Corpus Christi (1230 AM/95.1 FM/96.1 FM), HockeyTV and Mixlr with the pre-game show starting 15 minutes prior to faceoff. For more information, visit goicerays.com/broadcast.

The next home games for the IceRays are a three-game set Jan. 25-27 against the Amarillo Bulls. Single game tickets, group tickets and suites for the remainder of the 2018-19 IceRays season are on sale now. Visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK (7825) for tickets or more information. Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).