Paricka Collects 1st Career NAHL Hat-Trick at Hilliard Center
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Andrej Paricka registered his first career hat trick in his first career home game with the Corpus Christi IceRays (8-11-2) as they took down New Mexico (13-8-2) in the series opener, 5–3 Friday night. The IceRays battled back three times from one-goal deficits before taking their first lead of the night in the third period.
For the first time in five games, Corpus Christi suffered the opening blow as New Mexico converted on the power play. The Ice Wolves were 0-for-5 in the season series entering the contest, but their captain Sean Gibbons batted home a rebound for a 1–0 lead. Corpus Christi answered with a power-play goal just two minutes later on Paricka’s first as an IceRay to bring the game back level. New Mexico punched right back just a minute after, capitalizing on a bouncing puck in front of the IceRays net that was chopped home by Max Young, restoring a 2–1 lead at the break.
IceRays netminder Vladislav Bryzgalov continued his strong play in the second period as New Mexico searched for an insurance goal. Bryzgalov turned aside all 13 shots he faced in the frame to keep his club within reach. Late in the period, IceRays forward Justin Thibault walked out of the corner and lifted a backhand past Ice Wolves goalie Conner Roff to tie the game at 2–2. It was Thibault’s first goal as an IceRay, assisted by Paricka, who collected his second point of the night.
New Mexico made a push early in the third period and cashed in on another loose puck in front of Bryzgalov, shot home by Koen Harrold for a 3–2 Ice Wolves lead. Trailing for the third time in the game, Corpus Christi remained composed, and minutes later Paricka fired home his second of the night to tie the game at 3–3. The IceRays turned up the pressure late, and Easton Swift drew a hooking penalty while driving the net, setting up a power play with a chance to take a lead. After New Mexico cleared to begin the man-advantage, Thibault drove the puck low and found defenseman Nick Evans trailing the play. Evans rifled a shot off the post and in past Roff to give the IceRays their first lead of the game at 4–3.
The tension ramped up in the final two minutes as the IceRays took their third penalty of the game, sending New Mexico to the power play with their goalie pulled. The IceRays remained stout in front of Bryzgalov, not allowing a single shot on net, eventually leading to Paricka depositing his third goal of the night into the empty net and sealing a 5–3 victory in the series opener. It marks the third 3rd period comeback win at home this season for Corpus Christi.
NEXT GAME
The series finale between Corpus Christi and New Mexico gets underway at 7:05 p.m. CT tomorrow night at the Hilliard Center. Catch all the action live on NAHLTV or tune in on Retro Radio CC by downloading the app on your favorite smart device! The pregame show kicks off 15 minutes ahead of puck drop.
GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW
Ice Out Hunger weekend continues presented by HEB! The first 500 fans receive an HEB Rally Towel, and a Post Game Skate presented by RTFC following the game! Fans that bring in 5 nonperishable food items get a free ticket!
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.
