Corpus Christi Scores Twice in Over a Minute to Force OT
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays (9-6-0) comeback fell short Saturday night at the Hilliard Center as the Lone Star Brahmas (12-2-1) take the finale by a final score of 4-3.
“I liked the fight our guys showed tonight, said head coach Nick Skerlick.” We put ourselves in a tough position, but the group never quit and continued to push until the final horn. There were some good moments in our game, but we have to be better in the key situations and find a way to put together a full 60 minutes. We’ll learn from this one and be ready to respond next weekend.”
The first period had a little bit of everything except scoring, as the IceRays and Brahmas delivered fast-paced action. Corpus Christi generated six shots on Brahmas goalie Leo Gabriel but failed to convert on its scoring chances. The IceRays were stingy at the other end of the rink, needing just three saves from Vladislav Bryzgalov.
A key moment of the opening 20 minutes came at the two-minute mark when Brahmas forward Wyatt Jones received a game misconduct for cross-checking. The major penalty put the IceRays on a five-minute power play. Nothing came from the final two minutes of the frame, giving the IceRays fresh ice to open the second period on the man advantage.
Corpus Christi failed to capitalize on the remaining three minutes of the power play and had to go back to work at even strength. The game remained scoreless past the halfway point. IceRays forward Justin Thibault changed that moments after the Brahmas’ first power play of the night. Brady Franck banked a stretch pass into Thibault’s path, and Thibault snapped a shot past Gabriel to open the scoring and give the IceRays a 1-0 lead.
The Brahmas regrouped quickly and tied the game four minutes later after an IceRays mistake led to Vincenzo Capano finding Sam Black on the back door to tie the game at 1-1. Lone Star wasn’t finished, taking the lead shortly after when Capano got free on a breakaway and beat Bryzgalov to put the Brahmas in front 2-1. The IceRays went to the power play before the period ended but came up empty for the fourth time and had to settle for a one-goal deficit at intermission.
Time was running out for Corpus Christi still trailing by one into the final 10 minutes of regulation. A missed exchange behind the IceRays net led to Lone Star putting a third goal past Bryzgalov off the stick of Caleb Romph for the biggest lead of the weekend 3-1.
All hoped seemed lost for the IceRays with five minutes to play until a miscue by Brahmas defenseman Jackson Accardi played a pass in front of his own crease that deflected off the stick of Brodie Hankel and in the net to cut the lead to 3-2.
The IceRays were not done yet as Willem Kerr capatalized on the IceRays sixth power play of the night on a tip in front to tie the game at 3-3. A shot from Nikita Konevych deflected off the stick of Michael Sandruk before Kerr scored his first goal since the NAHL showcase. The IceRays turned the game around and forced the game to overtime.
Overtime produced another power play for Corpus Christi with a chance to complete the comeback, but it was not to be. The Brahmas stiff penalty kill went six-for-seven on the night to preserve the tie and send it to a shootout.
Leo Lundblad gave the Brahmas the lead after both shooters missed in the first round. Oliver Czaja failed to score for the IceRays putting the game on the stick of Hugo Zetterlund. The Brahmas forward fired one past Bryzgalov for the final blow of the night to give the Brahmas a 4-3 victory.
NEXT SERIES
The IceRays have a week off before hitting the road for a three-game weekend starting on Nov. 13 & 14 against the El Paso Rhinos at the El Paso County Event Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT both nights. Corpus Christi finishes the weekend at the Ector County Coliseum against the Odessa Jackalopes on Nov 15 at 2:00 p.m. CT.
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 Corpus Christi’s premier entertainment and event complex, proudly owned by the City of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group. Named in partnership with Hilliard Law, a firm dedicated to service and community, the waterfront venue features a state-of-the-art arena, the historic Selena Auditorium, and a versatile convention center overlooking the scenic Corpus Christi Bay. With adaptable spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium food and beverage offerings, Hilliard Center is designed to deliver exceptional experiences as South Texas’ home for live entertainment, conventions, and community gatherings.
Visit HilliardCenter.com and follow the Hilliard Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest news and event updates.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
