Carter McKay Registers Hat-Trick for Mudbugs
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (3-5-0) drop a heartbreaker to the Shreveport Mudbugs (5-4-1) by a final score of 6-4 Friday night at George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum. The IceRays surrendered three power play goals and two shorthanded goals in the loss. IceRays goalie Cassidy Kittredge made 24 saves in his NAHL debut.
A penalty in the opening minute by Corpus Christi, led to a Mudbugs power play goal from Carter McKay and an early 1-0 Shreveport lead. The IceRays responded quickly with a power play goal of their own, as Grayson Cohen buried a wrist shot for his second of the season to tie the game. The deadlock was short-lived, with Mudbugs forward Evan Hoglund scoring from the right circle to put Shreveport back in front. Then, with the Mudbugs shorthanded, McKay added his second of the game after a costly mistake by the IceRays to make it 3-1 at the break.
The second period gave the IceRays a spark they needed. After a fight by Marc Alexandre-Richard, Corpus Christi erupted for three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead. Grayson Gerhard tipped in his second of the year, followed by Chase Nehring scoring just over a minute later. Jack Mackenzie capped the surge with a highlight-reel goal, splitting two defenders and hitting the post and in leading to a Shreveport goalie change. But late in the frame, a penalty led to Mudbugs Forward Andrej Paricka’s power play goal, tying it 4-4 heading into the third.
Two early penalties put the IceRays’ struggling penalty kill to the test. After killing the first, Andrej Paricka struck again on the second, netting his second power play goal and third of the night to give Shreveport a 5-4 lead. Corpus Christi got a power play chance soon after, but a costly turnover led to McKay’s second shorthanded goal of the night, completing his hat trick.
The IceRays pressed late, but Shreveport held firm to take the series opener 6-4.
The IceRays will take on the Mudbugs tomorrow night at George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum to wrap up the series with puck drop at 7:11 CT. Tune into the game via NAHLTV or the Retro Radio CC app! The pregame show starts at 6:50 CT.
NEXT HOME SERIES
The IceRays return to the Hilliard Center on October 17th and 18th for a two-game showdown against the El Paso Rhinos. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
Tickets start at just $5!
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.
