CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (6-12-3) were outpaced early and fell 4-1 to the Lone Star Brahmas (13-1-4) on Saturday night in front of 6,014 fans at the American Bank Center. The IceRays claim two points in their three-game set and set a season-high in single-game attendance.
Despite a strong physical presence by the IceRays to begin the game, Brahmas forward Alex Berardinelli capitalized on an early power play at 4:50 of the first period to claim a 1-0 lead. Late in the period at 18:06, a collision behind the Brahmas’ net caused a large skirmish with tempers boiling over from the previous two games, and after everyone separated both teams combined for 64 penalty minutes after one period.
Tempers cooled in a much calmer second period, however the Brahmas continued their pressure early and took advantage with Berardinelli’s second of the night on a tap-in to double the lead, 2-0. Brahmas defenseman Brandon Estes found a streaking Berardinelli a few minutes later for a breakaway goal that sealed the hat-trick at 5:16 and tripled the lead, 3-0.
The first penalty of the third period led to the fourth goal for Lone Star and their second on the power play, and for the second-straight night forward Carson Kelley picked up a tally to move the Brahmas lead to 4-0. The IceRays earned one back at 14:02 when forward Toby Kircher knocked in his first goal with the IceRays from the middle of the slot to draw back within one, 4-1. Though aggression picked up at the end of the game, the IceRays ran out of time, falling 4-1. Brahmas goaltender Conor O’Brien (6-0-3) earned the win, saving 18 of 19 shots, while IceRays netminder Graham Hunt (3-6-2) turned aside 27 of 31 shots in the loss.
Following the Thanksgiving break, the IceRays head back on the road on Friday, Dec. 4 for their second trip to the Ector County Coliseum for the first of a two-game set at 7:05 p.m. against the Odessa Jackalopes. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) & FASTHockey.com.
Contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK or go to www.goicerays.com for details on season tickets along with pricing and seating. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
