Coming off of a sweep against New Mexico, the IceRays traveled to Wichita Falls to face off against the Warriors. This was the second series against Wichita Falls this season with the first being a split in early October.
In the first, the IceRays were able to get out to a hot start with newly acquired Dhillon Wilde scoring in his first game with the IceRays. The goal was the first debut goal for a player for Corpus Christi since Danny Nekhamiyev did the same on October 10th against Odessa.
Ten minutes after the Wilde goal, the IceRays struck again. This time, it was on the power play for Corpus Christi. The goal was scored by Braden Rourke, which was his fourth on the season. The 2-0 lead was the advantage taken into the locker room for the Rays.
Period number two, the score stayed the same for Corpus with a two remaining on that side of the scoreboard. Wichita Falls did break into the lead a little bit, though, with a goal in period number two. The lead was 2-1 into intermission number two.
In the third, a plethora of goals were scored starting with one for Wichita Falls to even it at 2-2. The IceRays struck back thirty seconds after with Jude Kurtas scoring to get the lead back for the IceRays.
Wichita Falls scored the next two goals to give themselves a 4-3 lead late in the second half of the third. That’s when the IceRays went back on the man advantage. Stepan Kuznetsov was able to strike for the Rays, which gives him three goals in two games. The goal brought the game to a 4-4 tie.
The game remained tied through the remainder of regulation. Chances were had on both sides in the overtime period with both goaltenders holding strong advancing the game to a shootout.
In the shootout, Damon Beaver stopped all three attempts from Wichita Falls. At the other end, Jude Kurtas was able to sneak one past the netminder for the Warriors. The IceRays skated away with a 5-4 shootout win over Wichita Falls.
With both El Paso and Shreveport winning, the IceRays keep pace with the teams around them while becoming two points closer to a playoff spot.
The IceRays go for the sweep tomorrow night against the Warriors with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 pm again tomorrow night.
