The IceRays struggled last weekend in Shreveport and were looking to bounce back against El Paso on Friday.
Period number one was not in the IceRays favor with the Rhinos striking twice in the games opening frame. It was not that Corpus Christi did not have chances in period number one. The Rays just could not capitalize on them.
In the second period, Corpus finally was able to capitalize. Charlie Merkley found the back of the net to start the Rays scoring on the night. Merkley’s fourth goal of the season was his first since November and broke a six game point draught. Merkley’s goal was assisted by former Rhino Stepan Kuznetsov.
Later on in period number two, the Rays found the back of the net again. Kuznetsov found the back of the net for goal number twelve of the season. The goal was also Kuznetsov’s 20th point on the year as well. Goal number two for Corpus was assisted by Charlie Killian, his first point with the team.
With the score at two aside coming out of intermission, the Rays looked to change that quick in period number three. Under two minutes into the period, at four on four, Blake Lewis deflected a Charlie Killian shot in for his first with the team. Alternate captain Brady Carlock was awarded the secondary assist on the goal.
The Rays were not done scoring as the fourth unanswered of the night came off of the stick of Stepan Kuznetsov. The tic-tac-toe goal, coming on the power play from Butler and Zagrzebski, snapped a four game draught from the man-advantage.
El Paso struck back with five minutes to go to bring them back within one, but it was too little, too late. The IceRays skated away with the 4-3 victory in game one of the two-game set.
The IceRays look to complete the sweep over El Paso tomorrow night with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 pm CT. Coverage for tomorrow night’s game on Brewster Street Radio and HockeyTV kicks off with Pregame powered by HEB getting underway at 7:45 pm.
