The Corpus Christi IceRays (0-1) fell to Patriots Hockey (1-0) on day one of the 2011 Chowder Cup, 2-1, at Iorio Arena in Walpole, MA on Thursday afternoon. Patriots Hockey is a team based out of Ontario with the majority of the players coming from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
Matt Sanford tallied the lone goal for the IceRays which was assisted by Joey Parizek.
Corpus Christi would tally first early in the opening period (two 25-minute halves) when Sanford followed up Parizek’s shot with one of his own that found the back of the net.
The Patriots would knot the game at 1-1 late in the first period when a wrist shot redirected off a post and netminder Pheonix Copley’s glove before crossing the goal line.
The lead changed hands for the first and only time early in the second period as IceRays goaltender Cameron Holland was beat low along the ice after a scramble in front of the net.
Corpus Christi collected a late power play and pulled Holland for a six-on-four man advantage but Colton Saucerman’s last-second slap shot from the blue line went just wide of the post.
Cody Milligan had a strong game up front for the IceRays including snapping a wrist shot that forced a quick glove save from the Patriots’ goalie.
In the other game within the IceRays bracket, Players First Hockey beat Team Alberta by a score of 5-2.
The ‘Rays will meet up with Players First Hockey on Friday at 2:40 CT in Foxboro, MA. The IceRays must win in order to have a chance at advancing to the knockout portion of the tournament on Sunday.
