The IceRays made the trek to Shreveport for a weekend series against the Mudbugs. The IceRays had a tough task as the Mudbugs have been hot as of late winning thirteen of their last fifteen games.
Early on, the two teams had a long feeling out stretch where only one shot on goal was found between the two sides five minutes in. The Rays found themselves in the sin bin twice in the first period, and Shreveport was able to strike on the first of the two power plays. The goal scored by Jacob Onstott and assisted by the Mudbugs leading scorer Austin Brimmer.
Later in the first, Shreveport was able to extend their lead to two with a goal coming off of a quick rush. Hayden Nichol was the one who fired it home for the Mudbugs and his first of the season. After twenty minutes of play, the Rays trailed 2-0 and were outshot 11-7 in the first period of play.
The Rays shined a bit brighter than the Mudbugs in the second period. Things started off in the second with the first NAHL goal off of the stick of Nicholas Zocco. Zocco is an affiliated player who also was playing in his first NAHL game on Friday night.
The Mudbugs had a response to regain a two goal lead, but it dropped back to one when the Rays found themselves with a beneficial bounce into the back of the net. Cam Crolley scored goal his tenth of the season to get the Rays back within one just forty seconds after the Mudbugs third of the night.
Once again, Shreveport had an answer to the Rays goal to move the score to 4-2, but the Rays found themselves on the power play for the first time on Friday night late in the second. Finding the back of the net didn’t take long for the Corpus power play, as Michael Casey struck six seconds into the man advantage. This brought the score to 4-3, which is where it sat for intermission number two.
The third period was a quiet one between the two sides for the majority of the frame. No goals in the first eighteen minutes of the period. Shreveport was able to strike late in the game to extend their lead to 5-3. Another goal would put the cherry on top as the Mudbugs went on to win by a score of 6-3.
The Rays end the night perfect on the power play, but costly goals given up shorthanded and goals late give the Mudbugs the advantage. The two teams do battle once again Saturday night with puck drop scheduled for 7:11 pm.
