IceRays Register First Shutout and Sweep on the Road this Season
ODESSA, TX — Xander Miceli delivered a 39-save shutout against the Odessa Jackalopes (11-8-4) on Saturday night as the Corpus Christi IceRays (11-11-2) completed the weekend sweep with a 3–0 win at Ector County Coliseum. It marks the team’s first road sweep of the season, outscoring the Jackalopes 8–3 over the two-game set.
The opening stretch of the first period was relatively quiet as both teams shook off rust from the previous night. Odessa earned the first power play of the game but couldn’t convert, with Miceli, making his ninth start of the season, turning aside several early chances. After a successful kill, a high-sticking double minor against Jackalopes forward Daniel Kuczkowski put a red-hot IceRays power play to work. Just 34 seconds into the advantage, Chase Nehring jammed in the opening goal, his second power-play tally of the weekend and fourth goal overall in his last three games, giving Corpus Christi a 1–0 lead through 20 minutes.
The teams traded power plays throughout the second period, but neither could break through. Miceli was the busier of the two goaltenders, making 21 saves in the frame to keep Odessa off the board. Despite increased late pressure from the Jackalopes, the IceRays maintained their one-goal lead heading into the third.
Odessa pushed hard in the final period, but Miceli remained flawless while seeking to snap his seven-game winless streak. Looking for insurance, the IceRays sustained offensive pressure after an unsuccessful power play and funneled a puck toward the net, where Nehring knocked in his second of the night as he fell to the ice. Chayse Laurie and Jack McKenzie assisted on all three of Nehring’s goals over the weekend. Up 2-0, Corpus Christi went in full defensive mode with over half a period remaining. The Jackalopes spent the final four minutes with the extra attacker but could not solve Miceli. The IceRays added an empty net goal late from Justin Thibault to seal off the sweep in Odessa 3-0.
Miceli recorded Corpus Christi’s first shutout of the season with a 39-save performance, extending the IceRays longest winning streak of the year to four games. Laurie contributed three more assists on the night, giving him four in his first two games with the team.
NEXT GAME
The IceRays continue their road trip in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, December 9, for a midweek contest against the New Mexico Ice Wolves. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 CT p.m with the pregame show kicking off 7:15 CT p.m. on NAHLTV and Retro Radio CC.
NEXT HOME SERIES
Corpus Christi hosts the Oklahoma Warriors at the Hilliard Center on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20. Friday is our Toy Drive Night where fans that bring in one unwrapped toy will receive a free ticket to the game. Saturday is our annual Teddy Bear Toss Night benefitting Nate’s Next Kid Up! Bring a new stuffed animal and when the IceRays score their first goal, let those Teddy Bears fly!
GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW
Tickets start at just $5! Student and Active Military Tickets are available at the Hilliard Center Box Office with valid ID.
Grab yours now at www.goicerays.com, on Ticketmaster, or at the Hilliard Center box office
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.
