SHREVEPORT, La. – The Shreveport Mudbugs scored the game’s final three goals to defeat the Corpus Christi IceRays, 4-2, Friday night inside George’s Pond at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. With the win, the Mudbugs (19-9-0-0, 38 pts.) improved to 5-0 this season against the IceRays (13-14-2-3, 31 pts.).
Shreveport’s Warren Natyshak broke a 2-2 tie late in the contest, scoring the game-winning goal with 3:01 remaining.
IceRays defenseman Tod Philibert opened the scoring 9:19 into the first period, receiving a pass from Sacha Guillemain on an odd-man rush and beating netminder Maiszon Balboa.
The Mudbugs tied the game just after a power-play opportunity when Tim Khokhlachev scored at 6:53. Just over three minutes later, Erik Bargholtz regained the lead for the IceRays with a far-side shot at 9:54. But the Mudbugs found the response once again; Anton Rubtsov sent the game into a 2-2 tie at the second intermission with a power-play goal at 18:33.
Natyshak’s game-winning tally in the final minutes of regulation was scored stick-side off his own rebound. Ryan Waltman then sealed the victory with an empty-net goal for the Mudbugs with 13.7 seconds remaining.
The IceRays were limited to six shots on goal in each period, being outshot 37-18 in the game. Corpus Christi goaltender Jeremy Forman made 33 saves.
The IceRays and Mudbugs rematch Saturday in Shreveport at 7:11 p.m. CT. Friday’s game marked the first of eight in a row for the IceRays against the Mudbugs. 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).
After Saturday’s game, the IceRays head into a holiday bye week before returning to action for a New Year’s Eve home game against the Mudbugs at 5:35 p.m. CT. Tickets for all 2019-20 IceRays games are on sale at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. 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).
