ODESSA, Texas – Reigning NAHL South Division Star of the Week Nicholas Seitz recorded his second hat trick in three games as the Corpus Christi IceRays defeated the Odessa Jackalopes, 7-3, Thursday night at Ector County Coliseum. Seitz (3+1) and Santeri Hartikainen (0+4) each picked up four-point outings. The IceRays recorded goals on five consecutive power plays to rally from a 3-2 deficit to the four-goal victory.
Corpus Christi improved to 4-0-0-0 this season against Odessa, including 3-0-0-0 in the past week. Goaltender Sam Best made 32 saves. The two teams will complete a five-in-nine series with rematches Friday and Saturday nights in Odessa.
The Jackalopes started the night off with two goals in the first period. Zach Heintz scored from the blue line putting the puck in the top-right corner at the 8:30 mark. The Jackalopes scored again on an odd-man rush at 14:44.
The second period got off to a very busy start for the IceRays. Seitz got his first goal of the game at the 1:39 mark assisted by Hartikainen. Just 18 seconds later, Tyler Love scored on his own rebound shot assisted by Matthew Headland. The Jackalopes scored their last goal of the game at 4:34 of the period when Jared Christy tipped in a shot from Rex Moe. The IceRays were able to tie the game, 3-3, at the 14:22 mark when Seitz connected again from Hartikainen on the power play.
Three minutes into the third period, Mitch Machlitt scored on a feed down the slot from Brian Kramer, giving the IceRays the lead for the first time. Jake Stella (5:31) and Jack Smiley (12:51) improved the lead before Seitz completed the hat trick with just over two minutes remaining. All of Corpus Christi’s five consecutive goals to finish the game were scored on the man advantage.
With the win, the IceRays tied Lone Star for fourth place in the South Division, just one point back of Shreveport, with two games in hand on each.
Tonight’s game was the start of 10 consecutive road games for the IceRays. Puck drop Friday and Saturday nights is set for 7:11 PM CT. Catch all the action on Sportsradio Corpus Christi, HockeyTV and Mixlr. Corpus Christi’s next home games will take place on Jan. 11-12, 2019 against the Shreveport Mudbugs.
Single game tickets, season seat memberships, group tickets and suites for the remainder of the 2018-19 IceRays season are on sale now. Visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK (7825) for tickets or more information. Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).
