SHREVEPORT, La. – The Corpus Christi IceRays (19-15-1-3) push ahead in the first two periods and hold off the Shreveport Mudbugs (22-13-1-2) for a 2-1 win on Friday night from George’s Pond at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.
The Mudbugs pushed the envelope in the opening period from puck drop, pressuring the IceRays in the offensive end with multiple opportunities turned away throughout the frame. A power play midway through the period help give the IceRays momentum for the rest of the frame, and with that they were able to score first. At 19:04, IceRays defenseman Tucker White took a shot that pin balled through the slot, and center David Thomson swatted the puck in mid-air to bat it into an open goal to take a 1-0 lead.
Despite another hard press by the Mudbugs in the front and back half of the second period, another power play provided the IceRays with momentum and the chance to double their lead. After an initial shot slid to the left circle, IceRays forward Larry Jungwirth wound a one-time shot from that circle and cranked a shot through the netminder to take a 2-0 lead at 11:17.
The shutout bid came to an end at 7:26 of the third period when the Mudbugs found their answer. Forward Cameron Cook found a loose puck along the right wall and fought a shot through traffic that just beat by the right pad to cut the lead in half, 2-1. The IceRays shut down the neutral zone for a majority of the period from there, and despite the Mudbugs pulling their netminder, the IceRays held on for a 2-1 win.
IceRays goaltender Camden Burggrabe (6-4-1) earned the win, stopping 34 of 35 shots, while Mudbugs netminder John Roberts (10-9-1) picked up the loss, halting 30 of 32 shots. The IceRays complete their three-week road trip on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:11 p.m. against the Shreveport Mudbugs from George’s Pond at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Coverage begins at 6:55 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) and Hockey TV.
The IceRays return home to the American Bank Center on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:05 p.m. to begin a two-game weekend set against the Odessa Jackalopes. Season memberships for the 2016-17 season are still available with full and partial season plans. 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), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
