NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays dropped the series opener against the Lone Star Brahmas in overtime by a final score of 1-0 on Friday night at the Nytex Sports Centre. Benji Motew made 51 saves for the IceRays in the loss as Ryan Cameron for Lone Stars pitched his second shutout of the postseason with 28 saves.
It was a feeling out process in the 1st period for both the Brahmas and IceRays who engaged for the first time since early February. The offense may not have been the sharpest for both sides but the goaltending certainly was to open the series. IceRays Goalie Benji Motew faced 17 shots in the frame including multiple chances late on a Brahmas power play and made all 17 saves. Brahmas Goalie Ryan Cameron the less busy of the two made five saves including a couple on Corpus Christi’s first power play of the series. A combined 22 saves kept the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.
Corpus Christi settled in nicely in the middle frame and started to test Cameron more often as the game went along. They outshot the Brahmas 15 to 13 in the period helped by two power plays but unfortunately unable to convert on their opportunities. Motew continued to be stellar for the IceRays turning away all 13 shots he faced and once again the period ended in a scoreless tie with the final period of regulation on the horizon.
The IceRays were on their heels for most of the 3rd period taking three penalties and having to spend a chunk of time shorthanded. Despite being outshot 16 to 3 in the frame the IceRays remain unscathed through it all going a perfect four-for-four on the night. Motew held the IceRays all through regulation to get the game to overtime. Both teams traded chances in the early going of the extra frame and Motew and Cameron made timely saves. The first shot to beat a net-minder was just past the halfway mark of the period and Cooper Faughnan beat Motew with a wrist shot to win game one for the Brahmas 1-0.
