IceRays Continue Perfect Start to Road Trip Holding New Mexico to 15 Shots
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Corpus Christi IceRays (12-11-2) extended their winning streak to five games with a 4–1 victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves (15-10-2) Tuesday night at the Outpost Ice Arena. Justin Thibault paced the offense with two goals and an assist, marking his third multi-point effort in his last five games.
The opening period featured the trademark high-tempo pace between the two clubs. Corpus Christi generated the majority of the dangerous looks, outshooting New Mexico 10–6, but Ice Wolves goaltender Jackson Silverberg stood tall to keep the IceRays off the board. At the other end, Xander Miceli, coming off a shutout in his previous start, handled all six shots he faced as the teams entered the intermission scoreless.
The IceRays red-hot power play earned the first two opportunities of the night and nearly converted, but Silverberg delivered multiple goal-line stops to keep the game tied. After a successful penalty kill of their own, Corpus Christi returned to the man advantage late in the second. With just over three minutes remaining in the period, Johnny Maruna ripped home his fourth power-play goal of the season to break the deadlock and give the IceRays a 1–0 lead.
Corpus Christi continued to smother New Mexico offensively in the third while searching for insurance. Just before the midway mark, Sam Troutwine hammered a one-timer through traffic to extend the lead to 2–0. Five minutes later, Thibault wired a shot into the top corner to make it 3–0, putting the IceRays firmly in control. The goal pushed his streaks to four straight games with a goal and five with a point.
New Mexico spoiled Miceli’s shutout bid late courtesy of Stanley Hubbard, but the IceRays netminder needed only 14 saves for the win. Thibault added an empty-netter in the final minute to seal a strong start to Corpus Christi’s five-game road trip with a 4–1 victory.
NEXT SERIES
The IceRays wrap up a five-game road trip this weekend in Amarillo when they take on the Wranglers on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:14 p.m. CT time with the pregame show on NAHLTV and Retro Radio CC kicking off 15 minutes before.
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.
