Miceli and Silverberg Duel in the Coastal Bend
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (20-18-5) picked up a single point in a shootout defeat against the New Mexico Ice Wolves (25-15-3) by a final score of 3-2 Saturday night at the Hilliard Center. The IceRays winless streak extends to five games with the defeat.
“Obviously it’s a tough one because I thought our guys did a lot of good things tonight — we started on time, competed hard, and Xander gave us a chance to win all night long said Head Coach Kevin St. Jacques. The difference right now is execution in key moments and staying out of situations that swing momentum, and that’s on all of us. I liked our resilience, especially on the penalty kill, but we have to find ways to finish when we get opportunities late. We’ll regroup, get back to work this week, and use this road trip as a chance to reset and get back to playing IceRays hockey.”
Déjà vu struck the Hilliard Center in the opening two minutes as Nick Sinani opened the scoring for the second straight night to put Corpus Christi up 1-0. The IceRays managed the majority of chances in the frame accumulating 15 shots but failed to extend the lead. Goaltenders Xander Miceli and Jackson Silverberg went head-to-head once again between the pipes and picked up where they left off the previous night. New Mexico found their footing late and their most dangerous scorer Andy Early picked up a loose puck at center ice, walked in, and fired a shot past Miceli to tie the game at 1-1. Each team had a power play that failed to convert keeping the game tied at intermission.
The IceRays kept the early goal party going in the second as Justin Thibault weaved his way past defenders and cleaned up his own rebound off the back boards to restore a 2-1 lead 49 seconds in. Corpus Christi found themselves in penalty trouble following the go-ahead goal loading up New Mexico’s power play three times. The Ice Wolves spent nearly all six minutes of the man-advantage in the IceRays defensive zone but could not solve Miceli. He made 11 saves in the period including a highlight reel save on Earl trying to tie the game. The IceRays bent but did not break to hold a one goal lead into the third.
Miceli and Davis continued to put on a show as both teams hunted for the ever-important next goal. New Mexico would break through before the halfway point at Earl twisted home his second of the game to tie the game at 2-2. Off the ensuing face-off, a double minor for high sticking put the IceRays on a power play for four minutes. Corpus Christi threatened the final two minutes of the opportunity but came up empty holding the game at two a side. Silverberg ended regulation with 33 saves and Miceli finished with 21 stops sending the game to overtime.
Corpus Christi and New Mexico mustered up just two shots combined in a rather lack luster overtime frame with the best chance coming in the dying seconds of the period. A shootout would decide the extra point.
Each team’s first shooter failed to score, and Andy Earl delivered the first blemish in the skills competition to give New Mexico the advantage. After a miss from Thibault, New Mexico trotted out Sean Gibbons with the game on the stick. Gibbons beat Miceli with a clean shot past the love to steal the extra point for New Mexico in a shootout 3-2.
NEXT SERIES
The IceRays begin a six-game road trip next weekend in Odessa against the Jackalopes February 13 and 14. Puck drop at Ector County Coliseum is scheduled at 7:15 p.m. Friday and 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Tune in live on NAHLtv or listen for free on the Retro Radio CC app. The pregame show starts 15 minutes ahead of puck drop.
NEXT HOME SERIES
Corpus Christi returns to the Hilliard Center the first week of March when they host the Oklahoma Warriors on the 6th and 7th. AutoNation Chevy South and the IceRays are partnering for the Shoot the Puck – Win a Truck giveaway, where two lucky fans will have the chance to win a 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4×4 on March 6 at the Hillard Center. Saturday is STEM Night presented by Gulf Coast Growth Ventures. For more information visit goicerays.com.
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 Corpus Christi’s premier entertainment and event complex, proudly owned by the City of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group. Named in partnership with Hilliard Law, a firm dedicated to service and community, the waterfront venue features a state-of-the-art arena, the historic Selena Auditorium, and a versatile convention center overlooking the scenic Corpus Christi Bay. With adaptable spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium food and beverage offerings, Hilliard Center is designed to deliver exceptional experiences as South Texas’ home for live entertainment, conventions, and community gatherings.
Visit HilliardCenter.com and follow the Hilliard Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest news and event updates.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
