Corpus Christi, Texas – To put it lightly, life on the road has not been kind to the Corpus Christi IceRays so far in the preseason as the team gears up for this week’s season opener.
The IceRays trip to Shreveport last week began with bus troubles which caused a severe delay.
Friday night, the IceRays got to the arena in Oklahoma City 45 minutes before the puck drop. The team bus was delayed to the point that the departure time was at the crack of dawn and finally on the road at 6 am. Friday’s 3-1 loss to the defending Robertson Cup champion Oklahoma Warriors at the Blazers Ice Centre in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma provided the final frustration.
“We came out strong and we were all over them in the first period, controlling the game,” IceRays head coach Sylvain Cloutier said. “Mostly half the game we controlled and then you could see we ran out of fuel. The effort was there, the guys competed and they did a great job.”
Pierson Sobush netted the goal for Corpus Christi in the first period.
Oklahoma broke a 1-1 tie with a tough-luck goal and a power play goal to close out with the win.
“Now we’re done and we move on and have Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to get prepared for Wednesday,” Cloutier said. “We’re excited to start up the season.”
The IceRays finished off the preseason at 0-3 but showed a lot of fight early before perhaps wearing down a bit.
“We had a tough trip to Shreveport first but took positives out of the two games to build off of, and same with the trip here,” IceRays Jack Linton said. “We were dominating in the first period. They had two goals on the power play, but we should’ve won that game.”
Heading into the season opener against Aberdeen in the NAHL Showcase, the IceRays, who finished eighth in the NAHL South Division at 11-42-6, 1SOL, and 29 points, have shown glimpses of improvement from last season.
“I think we’re definitely ready,” Linton said. “We have an older group this year with more experience and great character.”
Corpus Christi will stay on the road and get ready for the NAHL Showcase and the season opener Wednesday afternoon in Blaine, Minnesota against Aberdeen at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now.
For information, please contact Michelle Evans at 361-814-7825, Ext. 104.
