AMARILLO, Texas – Kyle Moore completed a hat trick with the game-winning goal 1:17 into overtime as the Corpus Christi IceRays defeated the Amarillo Bulls 6-5 for a second-consecutive night inside the Budweiser Bull Pen at Amarillo Civic Center. The fourth-seeded IceRays have a 2-0 series lead against the top-seeded Bulls in the best-of-five South Division Semi-Finals as the series now shifts to Corpus Christi for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Off his faceoff win, Moore pushed the puck forward and sent a backhand rebound over a sprawled Amarillo goaltender Justin Evenson to complete a four-point outing (3+1). Blake Bennett notched three points (1+2) and goaltender Brian George made 48 saves.
IceRays defenseman Anthony Firriolo opened the scoring 1:11 into the game with a shot from center ice that bounced past Evenson. Brenden Datema tied the game for Amarillo 2:28 into the second period before Moore regained the lead for the visitors at 4:46. David Ojamae then tallied a goal at 9:18 to send the teams into the second intermission tied 2-2.
Amarillo gained its only lead of the game 1:28 into the third period off a goal from Brett Abdelnour. Santeri Hartikainen tied the game for the IceRays at 3:46 to start a string of three-consecutive goals for Corpus Christi. Moore, off a breakaway feed from Tyler Love, scored at 11:18, then Bennett recorded a goal on the power play just over three minutes later to make it 5-3 Corpus Christi.
Amarillo scored twice in the game’s final 2:44 to force overtime. With Evenson pulled for an extra attacker, Logan Jenuwine registered a 6-on-4 power play goal at 17:16, then Brancheau tied the game with 1:23 remaining.
Despite being outshot 53-29 in regulation, the IceRays recorded the only three shots on goal in overtime. Following an icing call against the Bulls, Moore won a faceoff in the right circle and scored unassisted off his own rebound.
All tickets for the playoff home games are just $10 each courtesy of AutoNation. Tickets are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets and the American Bank Center box office. A select number of complimentary ticket vouchers are available to fans at all AutoNation locations within the Corpus Christi area. Visit goicerays.com/playoffhub for a full list of locations or more information.
All playoff games, home and away, can be heard live on Sportsradio Corpus Christi (1230 AM – 95.1 FM – 96.1 FM) and mixlr.com/icerays, as well as viewed in HD on HockeyTV (iPPV).
