Chase Nehring Registers His Second Multi-Goal Game this Season
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (13-12-3) dropped the series opener in overtime to the Oklahoma Warriors (14-12-2) by a final score of 3–2 Friday night at the Hilliard Center.
IceRays goaltender Xander Miceli and Warriors netminder Billy Stuski went toe-to-toe in the opening 20 minutes, matching each other save for save. Stuski was busy early, stopping all 10 shots he faced in the first period. Miceli turned aside 14 shots to keep the game scoreless, including two highlight-reel saves on a Warriors power play. Despite quality chances at both ends, the goaltenders put on a clinic to send the game to intermission deadlocked at 0–0.
An early penalty to Corpus Christi put the IceRays penalty kill to work for the third time to begin the second period. The IceRays held strong to remain perfect on the kill, but seconds after the penalty expired, Jakub Galnor converted a point-blank chance to give Oklahoma a 1–0 lead. Still trailing midway through the contest, Corpus Christi responded when Chase Nehring scored his 10th goal of the season, making him the first IceRays player to reach double digits this year. Nehring struck again later in the period, deflecting a shot in front on the power play to give the IceRays a 2–1 lead.
The IceRays returned to the penalty kill to start the final 20 minutes, and Kyle Sorenson capitalized on the Warriors power play to tie the game at 2–2. Both teams traded chances the rest of the period but were unable to break the deadlock. The best opportunity came in the final minute of regulation when IceRays forward Andrej Paricka rang a backhand shot off the crossbar. Regulation ended with the score tied, forcing overtime.
Johnny Maruna drew a penalty in the opening minute of overtime, giving Corpus Christi a prime 4-on-3 opportunity to end the game. The IceRays generated several quality chances, including a shot from Easton Swift that hit the post, but Oklahoma killed off the penalty to return play to 3-on-3. In the dying seconds of overtime, defenseman Denny Oh fired a shot off the post and in behind Miceli to secure a 3–2 overtime victory for the Warriors.
NEXT GAME
The IceRays and Warriors wrap up the series tomorrow night at the Hilliard Center with our annual Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal and when the IceRays score their first goal, let those Teddy Bears fly! All stuffed animals will benefit Nate’s Next Kid Up. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
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.
