BLAINE, Minn. – The Corpus Christi IceRays fell to the Minnesota Wilderness via shootout in a 2-1 final Friday at the 2019 NAHL Showcase at Super Rink. The IceRays (3-0-0-2, 8 pts.) have now gone to overtime in four out of five games this season, and have picked up at least one point in all five contests.
Defenseman Michael Krupinski recorded his first career NAHL goal. Goaltender Nick Stofcheck made 19 saves in his NAHL debut.
The game, scheduled for 7:30 PM CT, started just over 30 minutes late partially due to the prior game (Kenai River vs. Jamestown) going into a shootout. After the first intermission of the Corpus Christi vs. MN Wilderness game, the decision was made to relocate the game from rink #2 at the Super Rink to rink #1 due to poor ice conditions. The IceRays’ game resumed following the conclusion of rink #1’s prior game (Janesville vs. Maryland) and an ice cut.
Krupinski’s goal was scored on rink #2 at the 13:52 mark of the first period, receiving a pass from Stephen Kyrkostas and sending a shot from the right point through traffic and past Minnesota netminder Jonathan Mor.
In the opening minute of the third period, Minnesota’s Brandon McNamara tapped in a Nate Horn rebound from just above the goal line to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the overtime session, forcing a three-round shootout. Kimball Johnson and Nathan Poolman scored for the Wilderness, while Cameron Knowlton was the only of three IceRays shooters to light the lamp.
Corpus Christi outshot Minnesota by a 25-21 margin. Neither team was penalized in the game.
The IceRays’ four-in-four stretch at the NAHL Showcase wraps up Saturday with a 3:30 PM CT faceoff against the Springfield Jr. Blues. Tune in on Sportsradio Corpus Christi 1230 AM – 95.1 FM – 96.1 FM (KSIX-AM/FM), HockeyTV or Mixlr (mixlr.com/icerays or download the Mixlr app) starting at 3:15 PM CT.
The IceRays’ Home Opener is set for Thursday, Oct. 10 against the Odessa Jackalopes. Puck drop at American Bank Center is at 7:05 PM CT. For tickets or more information, call 361-814-PUCK (7825). Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays) and goicerays.com.
