CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Following a pair of goals from Bud Winter, Blake Bennett recorded the game-winning goal midway through the third period to give the Corpus Christi IceRays a 3-2 victory over the Lone Star Brahmas on Saturday night at American Bank Center.
Corpus Christi (4-6-0-0, 8 pts.) trailed 2-1 before Winter’s tying goal and Bennett’s game winner were scored 47 seconds apart. Both goals were assisted by Coltan Wilkie. With the win, the IceRays jumped from sixth place to fourth place in the South Division standings, passing Lone Star (3-6-0-1, 7 pts.) and the idle Odessa Jackalopes.
Following the win, the game-worn Pink in the Rink specialty jerseys were auctioned off to benefit local cancer support groups.
Winter opened the scoring at the 3:01 mark of the first period, firing a shot from the slot for his first tally of the season. Bennett and Noah Roofe recorded the assists.
The Brahmas responded less than three minutes later. Matt Guerra stickhandled behind netminder Sam Best and tucked the puck in at the post.
The game remained tied 1-1 through a scoreless second period that saw the IceRays limit the Brahmas to just four shots on goal.
Guerra scored again 3:33 into period three to give the visitors their only lead of the night. Winter responded with his second goal of the night at 9:47, tying the game, 2-2. Less than a minute later, Kyle Moore fed a pass across to Bennett, who fired the game-winning goal home before Brahmas goalie Harrison Feeney could slide to his right.
Best made 20 saves to improve his record between the pipes to 4-2-0-0. Bennett took sole possession of the team’s scoring lead with 11 points (5-6–11). In both home weekends so far this season, the IceRays have lost on Friday and responded with a win on Saturday.
Next up for the IceRays, who are in the midst of a season-long 13-game homestand, are visits from both Alaskan teams in the NAHL, starting with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20. Puck drop both nights is set for 7:05 PM. The following weekend will see the Kenai River Brown Bears come to town.
Single game tickets, season seat memberships, group tickets and suites for the 2018-19 IceRays season are now on sale. Visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK for tickets or more information.Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).
