BLAINE, MINN. – The Corpus Christi IceRays (1-2-0-1) faltered in the third period and eventually fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Aberdeen Wings on Wednesday afternoon in the opening game of the NAHL Showcase from Schwan Super Rink.
The IceRays started the scoring at 10:54 of the first period when defenseman Matthew Acciaioli stepped up from the blue line for a back door shot at the right circle to take the 1-0 advantage. IceRays forward David Thomson doubled the lead, 2-0, after a turnover created by forward Cole Gammer fed the center for two quick shots with the second going through at 16:39.
The Wings started to come back in the second period and earned their first tally of the afternoon at 12:52. Forward Shawn Knowlton beat his man and cut in on a small break, lofting the puck top shelf to cut the IceRays lead in half, 2-1.
In the third period, the tide turned in Aberdeen’s favor. IceRays forward David Baskerville took a kneeing major penalty that set the Wings on a five-minute power play, during which forward Josh Tripp incurred a tripping call. On that five-on-three power play, Wings forward Kevin Fitzgerald cashed in for the home side at 11:22 to tie the game, 2-2. Both teams went back and forth to force overtime then a shootout. Fitzgerald scored in the first round for the Wings and remained the only tally in the shootout, which sunk the IceRays in a 3-2 final score.
Wings netminder Arrtu Kumala (1-1-0) earned the win, halting 35 of 37 shots faced, while IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka (1-2-1) picked up the loss, turning away 32 of 34 shots. The IceRays continue the 2016 NAHL Showcase on Thursday, Sep. 22 at 10:15 a.m. against the Minnesota Magicians at Schwan Super Rink 4. Coverage begins at 10:10 a.m. exclusively on FASTHockey.com.
The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
