Corpus Christi, Texas – The Corpus Christi IceRays dropped a tough 5-2 decision to the New Mexico Ice Wolves Saturday night at the American Bank Center.
The IceRays cut into a 2-0 lead but gave up two goals in just over a minute in the second period to create a mountain too large to climb.
Olivier Lamothe struck for three goals and a hat trick for New Mexico.
Zach Boren and Rasmus Leijonhielm added goals for the Ice Wolves.
Zakhar Polshakov and Michael Valdez each scored goals for Corpus Christi.
The IceRays fell to 12-20-1, 3 SOL for 28 points for eighth place in the NAHL South Division, now six points behind the Odessa Jackalopes.
New Mexico moved into sole possession of fifth, two points ahead of the Oklahoma Warriors at 18-15-2, 1 SOL for 39 points.
The Ice Wolves outshot Corpus Christi 31-29, but the IceRays created a lot of pressure in the third period with a 15-4 advantage.
New Mexico was 2-for-6 on the power play, to 1-for-4 for the IceRays.
“The penalties killed us,” IceRays head coach Sylvain Cloutier said. “We need to be a lot better if we want to have a longer season.”
Boren got New Mexico started with his eighth goal of the season at 7:39 and led 1-0 after one period.
Leyonhjelm scored his ninth just 37 seconds into the second period and the Ice Wolves led 2-0.
Polshakov netted his fourth of the year, unassisted at 2:28 to cut the New Mexico lead to 2-1.
But Lamothe scored a quick pair of goals to widen the lead. The first one at 13:13.
The second, Lamothe’s seventh goal, came at 14:39 and the Ice Wolves were on top 4-1 at the end of two periods.
Valdez made things a bit closer with his first of the year as an IceRay on the power play on assists from Luca Fasciano and Connor Brust at 15:27 of the third period.
But Lamothe completed the hat trick on his eighth goal at 19:16 to close out the scoring.
The IceRays will play a pair of games on the road against the El Paso Rhinos Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. CST at the El Paso County Events Center.
You can watch both games on NAHL TV and listen on Brewster Street Radio.
For more information, visit goicerays.com.
