IceRays Drop Final Two Games in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Corpus Christi IceRays (7–11–2) fell short in the series finale against the New Mexico Ice Wolves (13–7–2) in a 5–2 defeat Sunday afternoon. Despite scoring first in all three games, the IceRays dropped the final two contests of the series.
For the fourth consecutive game of the road trip, Corpus Christi struck first in New Mexico on defenseman Islom Dzhabberganov’s fourth goal of the season, giving the IceRays an early 1–0 lead. Emil Obstfelder delivered a perfect rink-wide pass to set up the opening goal. New Mexico responded with heavy pressure to close out the frame, but Xander Miceli was sharp between the pipes, making 15 saves in the first period to keep Corpus Christi on top 1–0 at intermission.
New Mexico kept its foot on the gas in the second and cashed in just before the halfway point with an equalizer from Cayden Joramo. Tensions rose following the goal as two fights erupted on consecutive faceoffs involving IceRays forwards William Stewart and Jonathan Pylypuik. Corpus Christi answered the skirmishes with a go-ahead goal by Easton Swift, who redirected a shot in front of Ice Wolves netminder Jackson Silverberg to restore a 2–1 lead. But the Ice Wolves punched back in the final five minutes of the frame, flipping the score with Joramo’s second of the game and Daniel McGillvary’s first career goal, taking a 3–2 advantage into the break.
The third period was a sluggish one for Corpus Christi, which managed just four shots on Silverberg as it pushed to tie the game. New Mexico extended its lead seven minutes into the period on a rebound chipped home by Oscar Edberg. The Ice Wolves continued the assault, piling up a total of 53 shots in the contest. Edberg added another for good measure as New Mexico took the series finale 5–2. The IceRays finished their seven game road trip 1-4-2 collecting four of a possible fourteen points.
NEXT HOME SERIES
The IceRays return to the Hilliard Center for Ice Out Hunger weekend when we host the New Mexico Ice Wolves for a pair of games. The series kicks off on Friday, November 28, and wraps up on Saturday, November 29, with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. both nights.
Ice Out Hunger presented by HEB is a chance for the IceRays and our fans to give back to the Coastal Bend community. Fans that bring in five canned goods will receive one free ticket to the game. All donations will benefit the Coastal Bend Food Bank.
Friday will feature $1 Beer Night and meet and greet with Corpus Christi native and major league baseball player Jose Trevino! Saturday features the return of Post Game Skate presented by RTFC!
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.
