Corpus Christi, TX (Feb 18, 2023) – The Corpus Christi IceRays fell 5-1 to the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center on Saturday, February 18th, 2023.
Game Action
It was a spirited atmosphere leading up to the opening puck drop on Alumni Night at the American Bank Center, but the crowd was quickly silenced when Odessa defenseman John Wojciechowski walked in on a 2-on-1 rush and fired one past Lukas Malant to open the scoring for the Jackalopes.
The trouble continued when Tanyon Bajzer backhanded one past Malant at 3:09 to make it 2-0 and that was the end of the night for the Corpus Christi netminder, with Patrik Jurcak coming in on relief. The Jackalopes would add another goal which came from Justin Hughes on the power play at 8:07 to put Odessa up 3-0. The IceRays recorded shots and had a number of chances in the first period, including a post, yet exited the first period scoreless.
The Jackalopes appeared the stronger team once again to start the second stanza and it was Emerson Goode who ripped one past the glove of Patrik Jurcak for his team-leading 24th goal of the year at the 5:32 mark. The IceRays picked up the pace as the period wore on and generated another 10 shots on goal yet still unable to beat Odessa netminder Quentin Sigurdson.
The IceRays had some good looks on an early third period power play opportunity but were unable to capitalize. Then, after a great rush up the ice by Ryan Hintz, it was Nils Forselius who was able to finish a centering pass and get the IceRays on the board at 13:57 of the third to make it 4-1, spoiling the shutout for Quentin Sigurdson. The Jackalopes would strike once more before the final horn on a beautiful individual play by J.R. Perdion on the penalty kill, just the second shorthanded goal of the season by Odessa as a team.
The IceRays outshot the Jackalopes once again tonight and were on the wrong side of likely two disallowed goals. Quentin Sigurdson was sensational in net for the Jackalopes, stopping 39 of 40. Patrik Jurcak looked comfortable after coming in for Lukas Malant in the first, making 26 saves for the duration of the game. The Jackalopes finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play, while the IceRays were scoreless on six attempts.
IceRays Next Game
The IceRays next game is Friday, February 24th against the Amarillo Wranglers at the Budweiser Bull Pen. Puck drop is at 7:15 PM CST.
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