IceRays Start 2-0 for Second Consecutive Season
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (2-0-0) completed an opening weekend sweep of the Lone Star Brahmas (2-1-1) with a 4-2 victory on Saturday night at the Hillard Center. The IceRays have now started the season 2-0 for the second consecutive year.
The Brahmas came out strong, drawing a penalty in the opening minute and putting the IceRays’ penalty kill to the test after a tough showing the night before. However, Corpus Christi corrected their mistakes and successfully killed off the early penalty, keeping the Brahmas off the scoreboard.
“I’m really proud of how the guys responded tonight,” said IceRays Head Coach Kevin St. Jacques. “We made some key adjustments after Friday, especially on the penalty kill, and it paid off. It’s great to start the season 2-0, but more importantly, we showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.”
After a sluggish start, the IceRays began to ramp up the pressure and tilt the ice in their favor. Off an offensive zone faceoff, Jack Mackenzie grabbed a loose puck and spun a backhand pass to Grayson Gerhard, who shoveled it past the Brahmas’ goalie to give Corpus Christi a 1-0 lead. At the other end, IceRays goalie Xander Miceli, making his NAHL debut, stopped all seven shots he faced in the opening period.
The Brahmas wasted no time finding the equalizer in the second, as Leo Isaakson fired a shot past Miceli to tie the game at 1-1. The score remained knotted until IceRays defenseman Trent Coleman ripped a shot from the top of the right circle to restore a one-goal lead for the IceRays. They carried a 2-1 advantage into the third period, looking to close out for the sweep.
An early third-period push by the Brahmas was stifled when IceRays forward James Chase netted his second goal of the weekend, making it 3-1 with 13 minutes remaining. The score held until Aaron Martikainen beat Miceli with under five minutes to go, cutting the lead to one. Moments later, a Corpus Christi penalty gave the Brahmas a golden power-play opportunity.
In the final two minutes of regulation, the Brahmas hit the post twice during the dying seconds of their man-advantage, but the IceRays managed to survive the scare. For the second straight night, Nick Sinani iced the game with a long-range empty-net goal from 180 feet, securing the 4-2 win.
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the American Bank 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 American Bank Center: American Bank Center is an entertainment complex owned by the city of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group with OVG Hospitality. The complex is in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas and consists of an arena, auditorium, and convention center. The facility hosts numerous conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, live performances, and sporting events. Located directly on the beautiful Corpus Christi Bay downtown, American Bank Center is flexible for any group offering complimentary Wi-Fi and premium food and beverage options.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
