SOLDOTNA, Alaska – The Corpus Christi IceRays closed their two-week trip to Alaska with a 5-1 win Saturday against the Kenai River Brown Bears at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Five different players scored for the IceRays (22-22-1-0, 45 pts.), including Keenan Johnson and Anthony Yurkins each recording their first goal with the team, and a two-point effort (1+1) from Anthony Firriolo. IceRays goaltender Brian George stopped 26 of 27 shots.
Michael Spethmann opened the scoring for Kenai River just 1:12 into the game. George made an initial pad save, but Spethmann found the rebound and fired a shot past the glove.
The IceRays responded seven-and-a-half minutes later when Johnson wristed a shot from the left point.
On the power play, the IceRays grabbed their first lead of the weekend 39 seconds into the second period when Nikita Krivokrasov placed a perfect shot into the upper-right corner. Yurkins recorded his first career NAHL goal, receiving a pass from Blake Bennett and scoring at 6:13. Jake Stella then made it 4-1 just a couple minutes later, picking up his 16th goal of the season with a shot from the bottom of the right circle.
Firriolo scored the lone goal of the third period, sending a shot from the right wall through Kenai River goaltender Gavin Enright’s five hole at 3:08.
Each team recorded a 5-1 win in the weekend split. Saturday’s finale in the four-game season series marked the first time the road team won.
Next weekend, the IceRays return home to the American Bank Center for a Feb. 15-16 set against the Odessa Jackalopes. Puck drop on Friday and Saturday is set for 7:05 PM and tickets start at just $11 for adults and $9 for kids. IceRays games are carried live on Sportsradio Corpus Christi (1230 AM/95.1 FM/96.1 FM), HockeyTV and Mixlr. 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).
