ICERAYS MOVE TO PLAYOFF POSITION WITH 3-1 WIN

Mar 5, 2016

ODESSA, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (21-23-6) score three-unanswered in the first two periods and hold on to defeat the Odessa Jackalopes (21-23-4) 3-1 on Saturday night at the Ector County Coliseum. The IceRays sweep the Jackalopes for the second-straight time at the Ector County Coliseum and move back into sole possession of fourth place.

The IceRays found the scoring stroke to open the contest for the second-straight night, and the hottest line found another goal. At 7:50, IceRays forward Andy McGlynn fought through the Jackalopes defense and flipped a backhanded shot from just above the goal crease over the ranging netminder to open the scoring, 1-0. On the tail end of a 5-on-3 power play late in the period, IceRays defenseman Cody Lichtenvoort wristed a shot from outside the left circle across traffic to the right side of the net for his first power play goal of the year and a doubling of the lead, 2-0.

The Jackalopes turned up the pressure in an attempt to capitalize early in the second period then while on a 5-on-3 power play of their own, but the IceRays held them at bay and quickly turned around following that advantage to widen the lead. At 13:53, IceRays forward Brad Power created a turnover in the neutral zone and got back a rebound to the left of the net to triple the lead, 3-0. During a power play coming less than two minutes later, Jackalopes forward Derek Brown tallied his second power play goal in as many games at 15:00 to answer, 3-1.

Both sides played evenly in the final period  though the aggression amped up as the game drew later into the period. Penalties also picked up for either side as the game wore on. Despite the pushes by Odessa, the IceRays shut down the neutral zone and the lead passes from the Odessa end to take away their open passing style. With the help of a late power play, the IceRays held on to take the 3-1 win and sweep the Jackalopes on the weekend.

IceRays goaltender Dryden McKay (11-9-2) grabs the win, turning away 27 of 28 shots, while Jackalopes netminder Dean Shatzer (9-13-3) picks up the loss, stopping 25 of 28 shots. The IceRays return to the American Bank Center on Friday, March 11 at 7:11 p.m. to start a weekend set against the Wichita Falls Wildcats on Grades For Blades Night. Tickets are available at www.Ticketmaster.com, the American Bank Center Box Office, or the IceRays Front Office. Coverage begins at 6:55 p.m. on SportsJuice.com, FASTHockey.com, and 87.7FM in-arena.

Nominate the American Bank Center to help make Corpus Christi the next Kraft Hockeyville! Submit your essay and tell your story at KraftHockeyville.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).