Corpus Christi, Texas – There’s no place like home. And when it’s been a while to be home, it’s that much more special.
The Corpus Christi IceRays open their 2023-24 home schedule with a pair of games against the El Paso Rhinos Friday and Saturday night at 7:05 at the American Bank Center.
The IceRays were 6-21-3 at home last season in a year that saw the team finish 11-42-6.
“I’m really excited about being back home, it’s been a long time and the boys and the staff are excited here for Friday night,” IceRays head coach Sylvain Cloutier said. “I’m just excited for our home face to see that we’ve got a lot of pushback and have some kids that like that compete and they’re a totally different team from last year.”
Positive outcomes on the American Bank Center ice is something Cloutier definitely wants to be different.
“We’ve got to be ready. We’re at home and we want to be good at home this year,” Cloutier said. “We need to be really good at home for our fans. I want this to be a fortress when teams come here where it’s hard for them to come here and take points from us.”
Corpus Christi was 1-3 at the grueling NAHL Showcase last week in Blaine, Minnesota but had chances to flip the record.
Forwards Anthony Cafarelli and Nils Forselius lead the IceRays.
El Paso is 4-1 in the young season and currently leads the South Division with three points.
The Rhinos are led by forward Frank Tafelski, who has scored four goals and added an assist for five points.
Defenseman Jakub Jerman also has four goals to go along with two assists for six points.
“They finished off pretty well last season and made a lot of changes like we did at the end of the year,” Cloutier said. “You know Joe (Coombs) is gonna have them all prepared, and they’re a good hockey team.”
Apart from one game in the preseason, the IceRays have been involved in close contests with one-goal losses to the Aberdeen Wings and Minot Minotauros and the 7-4 loss to the Maine Nordiques that was close after the IceRays came back from a 5-0 deficit but allowed two late empty-net goals.
The IceRays topped the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 3-1 in the lone victory in Blaine.
IceRays Notes:
No. 2 Play of the Week: Week No. 1 is in the books and IceRays forward Stepan Kuznetsov made the first week’s top plays list.
Kuznetsov’s first goal of the season at 12:54 of the first period against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings was chosen as the No. 2 Play of the Week.
NAHL Week 1 Top 5 Plays of the Week: (1) NAHL Top Plays – September 11-17, 2023 – YouTube
Leadership Group named: At the recent season ticket holder event at Brewster Street Ice House Downtown, IceRays head coach Sylvain Cloutier announced the leadership group for this season.
Forward Anthony Cafarelli was named team captain.
“Anthony came in from the BCHL last year and came in the room and is the type of kid that’s a fighter,” Cloutier said.
Defensemen Connor Brust, Ryan Hintz, Gage Parillo, and forward Mathieu Bourgault were named assistant captains.
“They all have qualities and have stepped up in the last month,” Cloutier said. “Connor was with us last year. Hintz is more of a quiet leader that shows up, does his work and doesn’t complain about anything, and Connor is a local guy and a second-year guy with experience for us.”
Cloutier is extremely high on Parillo.
“Gage is one of those leaders that puts it all on the ice,” Cloutier said. “He competes and works every day and is consistent during practices and during games. The kid just loves to work.”
Cloutier is looking forward to Bourgault showing off his experience.
“Bourgault comes in from the BCHL and is already committed to RPI and you can tell right from day one that he’s a pro and a special kid,” Cloutier said.
Cafsarelli off to a good start: IceRays team captain Anthony Cafarelli has scored three goals in the team’s first four games and ranks No. 27 in the NAHL.
Forselius starting strong as well: IceRays forward and assistant captain Nils Forselius has netted two goals and has an assist for three points. He is tied for 46th in goals scored.
Light Up the Rink Night: Friday night’s home opener at American Bank Center will be an opportunity for fans to light up the rink.
Salty Aquatics Fish & Coral of Corpus Christi (Salty AF) will be giving light up bracelets at the door.
Watch the Game: Come fill up American Bank Center for the first two home games of the season.
If you can’t make it to the games, you can watch them on NAHLTV.com.
Tickets on Sale:
Single game tickets for IceRays home games are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com.
Single Game tickets are $38 for Glass, $32 for Lower Bowl, and $26 for Upper Bowl.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still on sale as well.
For information, please contact Michelle Evans at 361-814-7825, Ext. 104.
