CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Corpus Christi IceRays defeated the New Mexico Ice Wolves 4-3 via shootout Friday at American Bank Center. Ryan Coughlin notched a three-point night (1+2) for the IceRays (12-11-2-3, 29 pts.).
After goaltender Jeremy Forman had stopped New Mexico’s fourth shootout attempt, Justin Thompson recorded the lone goal of the shootout as the IceRays won their first-ever meeting with the Ice Wolves (4-19-0-2, 10 pts.). Erik Bargholtz (1+1) and Alexander Tertyshny (0+2) each recorded two points for Corpus Christi.
New Mexico’s Sean Henry scored the lone goal of the first period, scoring stick-side on a shot from the slot.
Off a faceoff win by Coughlin, Tod Philibert skated to the bottom of the right circle, cut across and fired a game-tying shot at 3:26 of the second period. Bargholtz then gave Corpus Christi its first lead of the night just over three minutes later, scoring for a third-consecutive game.
New Mexico’s Taylor Ewing scored at 9:35 of the second period, as the teams were tied, 2-2, at the second intermission.
Coughlin regained the lead for Corpus Christi in the opening minute of the third period, deflecting a point shot from Tertyshny. However, Ewing once again had the answer, scoring his second goal in his NAHL debut to force overtime.
The teams combined for just three shots in the five-minute overtime period and went into a shootout. Thompson was the eighth combined shooter and the only one to find the back of the net.
The IceRays and Ice Wolves rematch Saturday at American Bank Center on City/County Night presented by CITGO at 7:05 p.m. Corpus Christi then completes its season-long six-game homestand next weekend with games Dec. 6-7 versus the NAHL-leading Lone Star Brahmas, including the IceRays’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game (Dec. 7). Tickets for all 2019-20 IceRays games are on sale at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. IceRays games can be heard live on Sports Radio Corpus Christi 1230 AM-95.1 FM-96.1 FM (KSIX-AM/FM) and mixlr.com/icerays, and can be viewed on HockeyTV (HD iPPV). For more information on the IceRays, or to purchase tickets, visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK (7825). Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).
