BLAINE, Minn. – The Corpus Christi IceRays battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the third period, but Evan Shoemaker responded with a game-winning tally minutes later as the New Jersey Titans (3-0-0, 6 pts.) remained unbeaten following a 4-3 victory.
Kyle Moore, Jordan Randall and Santeri Hartikainen recorded goals for the IceRays (0-3-0, 0 pts.). Ethan Peterson made 32 saves in the loss.
Mac Wiseman opened the scoring for the Titans with a 5-on-3 power play goal at the 14:43 mark of the first period. Kyle Jeffers then made it 2-0 with 1:45 left in the opening frame.
During another 5-on-3 advantage for the Titans early in the second period, Ryan Naumovski was awarded a penalty shot and scored on a forehand shot, increasing New Jersey’s lead to 3-0.
The IceRays responded later in the frame. Moore scored his second of the season for the IceRays on a breakaway at 8:12 and then got in a fight with Wiseman on the ensuing faceoff. Randall then got Corpus Christi back within a goal on a beautiful backhanded breakaway shot at 19:32, with assists going to Mason Kohn and Anthony Firriolo.
Hartikainen tied the game less than two minutes into the third period, perfectly redirecting a feed from Jake Stella. But Shoemaker notched the game-winning goal for the Titans off a bounce near the post.
New Jersey outshot the IceRays by a 36-31 margin.
Next up for the IceRays in their four-in-four stretch at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., is a 5:00 p.m. CT showdown on Thursday with the Johnstown Tomahawks. All IceRays games are carried on Sportsradio Corpus Christi (1230 AM/95.1 FM/96.1 FM/TuneIn app) and HockeyTV.
Season seat memberships, group tickets and single game tickets for the 2018-19 IceRays season are on sale now, including for the Home Opener on Friday, Sept. 28 against the Shreveport Mudbugs. Call 361-814-PUCK for tickets and more information. Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).
