Chase Nehring Collects 1st Multi-Goal Game of Career
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (9-11-2) completed a sweep of the New Mexico Ice Wolves (13-9-2) with a 4–2 win Saturday night at the Hilliard Center. It marks the second consecutive sweep on home ice for Corpus Christi and the third overall this season.
Very few stoppages interrupted play in the opening 10 minutes, which flew by scoreless. Chances came at a premium for both teams, and New Mexico capitalized on a turnover when Stanley Hubbard found Tim Hewko in the slot to give the Ice Wolves a 1–0 lead. New Mexico looked to extend their lead on an ensuing power play, but the IceRays penalty kill stood tall in their only kill of the night. New Mexico held on to a 1-0 lead at the break.
The IceRays responded in the second period, jumping out to a 10–2 shot advantage in search of the equalizer. A heavy forecheck by Corpus Christi led to extended shifts in Ice Wolves territory, and Chase Nehring broke through to tie the game at 1–1. Islom Dzhabberganov’s wrist shot was knocked down in the crease by Ice Wolves goalie Jackson Silverberg, and Nehring poked it past the netminder for his fifth of the season. A couple of shifts later, IceRays forward Jack Mackenzie found Nehring alone in front again for his second of the night, giving Corpus Christi a 2–1 lead in the matter of minutes. It was Nehring’s first career multi-goal game and both goals were assisted by Mackenzie and Charles Norris.
New Mexico tied the game early in the third off an odd-man rush, with Andy Early finishing the play to make it 2–2. Despite the flat start, Corpus Christi responded with several strong shifts to prevent the Ice Wolves from gaining momentum. In need of a spark past the halfway point of the frame, the trio of Andrej Paricka, Justin Thibault, and Easton Swift combined for the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning goal, finished by Swift to restore a 3–2 lead. The score held into the final minutes, prompting New Mexico to pull Silverberg for the extra attacker. The IceRays set up a fortress in front of Bryzgalov, and Paricka delivered the empty-net goal for the second consecutive night to seal the 4–2 win and complete the sweep. Paricka finished the weekend with six points and Bryzgalov stopped 18 shots in his eighth victory of the year.
NEXT SERIES
The IceRays are back on the road next week for their first trip to Odessa to take on the Jackalopes on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6. Puck drop on Friday is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT followed by 6:00 p.m. CT on Saturday. Tune in to the game live on NAHLTV or listen by downloading the Retro Radio CC App on your favorite smart device. Pregame show begins 15 minutes ahead of puck drop.
NEXT HOME SERIES
Corpus Christi hosts the Oklahoma Warriors at the Hilliard Center on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20. Saturday is our annual Teddy Bear Toss Night benefitting Nate’s Next Kid Up! Bring a new stuffed animal and when the IceRays score their first goal, let those Teddy Bears fly!
GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW
Tickets start at just $5! Student and Active Military Tickets are available at the Hilliard Center Box Office with valid ID.
Grab yours now at www.goicerays.com, on Ticketmaster, or at the Hilliard Center box office
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 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, Hilliard 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.
