SHREVEPORT, LA – The Corpus Christi IceRays (14-5-2) went to overtime once again on Saturday night at the George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum as they fell to the Shreveport Mudbugs (12-7-0) by a final score of 2-1. Defenseman Seth Murch for the Mudbugs scored the overtime winner for the Mudbugs to extend their win streak to three games. Despite the loss the IceRays took three out of the possible six points on the weekend.
Just like Friday night in Corpus Christi, the 1st period was dominated by goaltending. IceRays Goalie Vladislav Bryzgalov made his fifth start of the season and came up with a highlight reel save early on Mudbugs Forward Andrej Paricka to keep the game scoreless heading into the dressing room. Mudbugs Goalie Nikola Goich was equally impressive making eight saves in the frame including a save on Defenseman Max Ranstrom who produced the best chance of the period for the IceRays going coast to coast on the power play.
The game opened up in the 2nd period as Corpus Christi and Shreveport traded chances at both ends looking for an answer on both net-minders. Just past the halfway point of the game, Corpus Christi would strike first for the first time in the last four games. Off a turnover, Pierson Sobush placed a wrist shot under the crossbar beating Goich and giving the IceRays a 1-0 lead. The Mudbugs got their first power play of the nigh shortly after but were unable to convert. The IceRays held on to a one goal lead heading into the final 20.
It was now time for Shreveport to respond in the final period and it took six minutes into the frame for them to solve Bryzgalov. A low shot from Liam Doyle slid past the out stretched pad of the IceRays goalie to find the back of the net and bring the game back to level. Shreveport finished the period with 10 shots on goal and Bryzgalov turned the rest aside for Corpus Christi sending the game into overtime.
Goich for the Mudbugs was tested first in the extra period but stood tall until Shreveport could find their footing in three on three. As we approached the final two minutes of overtime, Carter Mckay fired a shot on Bryzgalov off the rush that produced a rebound to the side of the crease that was sent into the back of the net by Murch to seal off a 2-1 win for the Mudbugs.
UP NEXT
Corpus Christi is back in action on Wednesday, November 27, at the Nytex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills facing the first place Lone Star Brahmas. Puck Drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
