NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays were knocked down early and couldn’t complete the surge back, falling by a 5-2 final against the Lone Star Brahmas from the NYTEX Sports Center in North Richland Hills. The IceRays come away with one point of a possible four on their second road weekend of the season.
For the second-straight night, the IceRays fell behind in the first period. At 1:50, Brahmas forward Sebastian Vidmar knocked in the earliest goal allowed by the IceRays this season to take the lead, 1-0. Later in the period, the Brahmas increased the lead, 2-0, at 15:41 thanks to a weak shot by defenseman Johan Steen going through the legs of IceRays netminder Andrew Lindgren. While the IceRays were on the power play, Vidmar earned another goal, this one coming at 17:02 shorthanded to balloon the lead, 3-0. The IceRays would answer at 18:48 thanks to a rebound knocked in by forward Connor Bucsis to take the scoreline, 3-1, into the intermission.
The game picked up physically in the second period, but the IceRays would be the only goal of the frame, cutting through at 10:22. Forward Ryan Cusin benefitted with a rifled shot from the far circle after a strong forecheck from co-forward Nate Colwell. That goal came unassisted and cut the lead to one, 3-2.
The Brahmas would put things away with two goals in the final period. At 3:44 of the third, Lidvig Larsson scored his first of the season to break the game open again to a two-goal spread, 4-2. Finally, an empty-net goal by Liam Stirtzinger at 19:56 sealed the game to make it final, 5-2. Shots favored the Brahmas 31-23. Lindgren (4-1-2) records the loss, saving 26 of 30 shots, while Brahmas netminder Jake Kupsky (3-0-1) earned the win, stopping 21 of 23 shots.
The IceRays return home on Friday, October 17 against the South Division-leading Topeka RoadRunners at 7:05 p.m. from the American Bank Center. Coverage begins with Countdown to Faceoff at 6:50 p.m. on SportsJuice.com and FASTHockey.com
Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for season and individual ticket details or check out the pricing and seating chart online at www.goicerays.com. Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), and YouTube (IceRays TV).
