CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays (25-10-3) dropped the opening game of the weekend to the Lone Star Brahmas (29-6-3) by a final score of 4-1 bringing their win streak to 11 games.
After two months of separation from the two sides the opening period was a feeling out process for the IceRays and Brahmas who were getting reacquainted. The first power play of the weekend went to Lone Star as the tested IceRays Goalie Vladislav Bryzgalov on the man advantage who turned everything aside until Antti Autere fired a shot on the near side from the left circle as soon as the IceRays were back to full strength to give the Brahmas a 1-0 lead. Corpus Christi would go to the power play later in the frame but failed to find any space past Ryan Cameron in net for the Brahmas.
The IceRays set a tone with the first shift of the 2nd period sending two pucks on net showing signs of potential to find an equalizer early. It took seven minutes into the period before the tying goal would come. A hard working shift from the trio of Colin Watson, Will Reardon and Matthew Green ended with a turn around shot from Green redirected in by Reardon to bring the IceRays back to level at one a piece. Lone Star would respond just a few shift later as Autere got loose in the slot for Lone Star and beat Bryzgalov for the second time of the night to restore a one goal advantage for the Brahmas. Later in the period the Brahmas would add an insurance tally off the stick of Camden Prier to give Lone Star a 3-1 lead heading into the final period.
Corpus Christi tried to muster up some offense but were no match for Cameron who turned aside seven shots in the third en route to his 10th straight win. The IceRays out shot Lone Stars 22 to 19 in the contest. The Brahmas would add another goal in the final 10 minutes of regulation to extend their advantage to 4-1 to seal off their 11th straight victory. The IceRays and Brahmas will meet again on Sunday afternoon with puck drop at 3:05 PM.
