Corpus Christi Aims to Earn Series Split in Saturday Finale
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (4-6-0) came up short in a comeback attempt Friday night, falling 4-2 to the El Paso Rhinos (4-5-1) at the Hilliard Center. Rhino’s goaltender Michael Modelski shined in net, making 33 saves to remain undefeated on the season.
The IceRays’ struggling penalty kill was tested early, facing two infractions within the first 10 minutes. Despite some chances, including a shot off the post by El Paso, Corpus Christi successfully killed off both penalties to keep the game scoreless. At the halfway mark of the period, the IceRays flipped the momentum when Nick Sinani buried a one-time missile from the slot to make it 1-0. Jack Mackenzie and Jonathan Pylypuik picked up assists on Sinani’s third goal of the season and first since opening weekend.
El Paso responded just two minutes into the second period with a deflection by Raphael Laviollete to tie the game. IceRays goalie Vladislav Bryzgalov, making his second consecutive start, had been stellar up to that point. Both teams traded power plays throughout the middle of the frame but came up empty. The tie was broken late in the period during a net-front scramble, where Rhinos forward Brendan Murray lifted a fadeaway shot over Bryzgalov’s shoulder to give El Paso a 2-1 lead heading into intermission.
A choppy start to the third period slowed the IceRays attack, with El Paso nursing their one-goal advantage. However, Corpus Christi broke through before the halfway point. Forward Grayson Gerhard led a 3-on-2 rush and slipped a pass to Billy Biedermann, who set up Easton Swift for a blast that tied the game at two on Swift’s first goal of the season.
Six minutes later, coming out of a media timeout, the Rhinos won an offensive zone faceoff and found Murray in front to poke home his second goal of the game, restoring a 3-2 El Paso lead.
Corpus Christi made a final push in the last three minutes with an empty net but couldn’t beat Modelski, who sealed his third consecutive win. El Paso added an empty-net goal in the dying seconds from Jackson Potulny to secure a 4-2 victory.
NEXT GAME
The IceRays are back in action tomorrow night at the Hilliard Center to wrap up the series against the Rhinos! Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 Saturday night.
Tickets start at just $5! Student and Active Military Tickets are available at the Hilliard Center Box Office with valid ID.
Grab tickets now at www.goicerays.com, on Ticketmaster, or at the Hilliard Center box office. If you can’t make it to the rink, catch the action live on NAHLTV or listen by downloading the Retro Radio CC app on your favorite smart device!
POST GAME SKATE
The IceRays are happy to announce the return of the fan favorite Post Game Skate presented by RFTC following the conclusion of Saturday’s game against the Rhinos. Post Game Skate’s this season are FREE and available to all ages. In order to participate, fans must register at a table located in the concourse of the arena.
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the Hilliard Center in downtown Corpus Christi, TX. For more information or for all your ticketing needs, contact the IceRays Front Office at (361)-814-PUCK or visit www.GoIceRays.com . You can also follow the team through their social media platforms: Facebook @goicerays, Instagram @iceraysnahl, and Twitter @iceraysnahl
About North American Hockey League: Celebrating its 50th season in 2024-25, the NAHL, the only USA Hockey sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 35 teams in 20 states from North American. For more information, visit the NAHL website at https://nahl.com/
About Hilliard Center: Hilliard Center is an entertainment complex owned by the city of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group with OVG Hospitality. The complex is in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas and consists of an arena, auditorium, and convention center. The facility hosts numerous conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, live performances, and sporting events. Located directly on the beautiful Corpus Christi Bay downtown, Hilliard Center is flexible for any group offering complimentary Wi-Fi and premium food and beverage options.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
