Corpus Christi, Texas – Victory seemed in sight for most of the game as the Corpus Christi IceRays were nursing a 1-0 lead they gained late in the first period.
Victory never did come as the IceRays dropped a heart-breaking 2-1 decision to the host Lone Star Brahmas Friday night at the NYTEX Sports Center.
The IceRays are 0-3-0, 1SOL against the Brahmas this season, but similar to the 3-2 shootout loss on November 22, this game was a tough one to lose.
Bryant Marks made 32 saves out of the 34 shots he faced as Lone Star outshot Corpus Christi 34-22.
Billy Biedermann scored the lone goal for the IceRays.
Justin Kerr and Jacob MacDonald netted goals for Lone Star.
“It was a tough loss,” IceRays head coach Sylvain Cloutier said.
What made matters tougher was losing forward Cody Kempf to an upper body injury in the first period.
“Our centers battled after losing Cody,” Cloutier said. “We gave it away in the end.”
The IceRays remain in eighth place in the NAHL South Division at 9-17-1, 2 SOL for 21 points.
Lone Star are still atop the South Division at 23-6-1, 2SOL for an NAHL-best 49 points.
Biedermann scored his sixth goal of the season from Mathieu Bourgault at 17:28 of the first period.
Things continued to go the IceRays way until Kerr collected his 11th goal of the year on the power play at 10:44 of the third period to tie the game at 1-1.
MacDonald scored his 12 goal of the season at 16:25 to put a damper on the IceRays’ night.
The two teams close out the weekend series Saturday night at 7:30 before the holiday break.
“We need to be better and come tomorrow with the same effort,” Cloutier said.
You can watch the game on NAHLTV.com.
For more info on the IceRays visit goicerays.com.
