Johnny Maruna Collects Three-Point Night
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Despite Johnny Maruna’s three-point night, the Corpus Christi IceRays (13-14-3) losing streak extends to three games after dropping the series opener to the Lone Star Brahmas (21-5-4) by a final score 6-3 Saturday night at the Hilliard Center.
Scoring started early and often in the opening frame when Lone Star converted on the game’s first power play, with Loic Nasreddine giving the Brahmas a 1–0 lead. The IceRays responded minutes later as Johnny Maruna surprised the defense with a shot from the corner that beat Brahmas goaltender Nicolas Rempel to tie the game at 1–1. The tie was short-lived, however, when Leo Isaksson capitalized on a Corpus Christi mistake to put Lone Star back in front, 2–1.
The IceRays fought back later in the period with a beautiful passing sequence that ended with Easton Swift burying his ninth goal of the season to even the score at 2–2. A pair of penalties against the IceRays followed, putting the NAHL’s top-ranked power play back to work, and the Brahmas capitalized as Vincenzo Capano notched his tenth goal of the season to make it 3–2.
Lone Star extended its lead early in the second period when Jackson Vaites deflected a shot in front, giving the Brahmas a 4–2 advantage and forcing the IceRays to pull net-minder Griffin Davis. The IceRays went on to control much of the frame, outshooting the Brahmas 10–2 at one point, but were unable to solve Rempel and cut into the deficit. Corpus Christi survived another penalty kill midway through the period to preserve the score heading into the final twenty minutes.
An early penalty taken by the IceRays put the Brahmas back on the man advantage, where they converted for the third time on Loic Nasreddine’s second goal of the night. The IceRays have now surrendered three power-play goals in back-to-back games. Corpus Christi got one back on an Andrej Paricka power-play goal to make it 5–3, but the Brahmas responded minutes later to restore a three-goal cushion on Dylan McFadden’s second goal of the season. Rempel finished the night with 20 saves as the Brahmas took the series opener by a final score of 6–3.
NEXT GAME
The IceRays and Brahmas wrap up the weekend tomorrow evening at the Hilliard Center with puck drop at 5:05 p.m. The IceRays are hosting Pucks and Paws Night and a donation drive benefiting Corpus Christi Animal Care Services. Fans that bring blankets, unopened treats, or pet food get one free ticket to the game! For more information on how to register your pet for the game or Pucks and Pawn Night visit goicerays.com.
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.
