BLAINE, MINN. – The Corpus Christi IceRays (2-2-0) rallied late in the third period and came out victorious in overtime, winning 3-2 over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights (0-2-1) on Thursday afternoon at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. on Day Two of the North American Hockey League Showcase.
The IceRays controlled possession for most of the opening period while outpacing the Knights 19-7 in shots with three power plays, however on the second man-advantage the Knights made a charge. On a two-on-one advance, Knights forward Tanner Bennett backhanded a shot across the net, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead and their first shorthanded goal in NAHL franchise history.
Power play chances continued in the second period, and the IceRays capitalized on their second five-on-three advantage. Forward Stevie Bryant one-timed a shot from the mid-slot with crisp passing from Drake Lindsay and Ryan Cusin to knot up the game at 3:57, 1-1. Just over four minutes later at 7:59, Knights forward Aiden Beck found a second chance shot by the left pad of IceRays goaltender Dryden McKay to advance back to a 2-1 lead.
With the extra skater pulled late in the third period, the IceRays pressed for the net, and forward Carter Johnson scored his second third period goal in consecutive games at 18:58 to tie the game, 2-2, and send the contest into overtime. In the new three-on-three overtime, the IceRays were the last ones to score at 2:38 off the stick of Johnson to notch the 3-2 victory and their first win in the new overtime format.
McKay (1-1-0) earned his first IceRays win, stopping 29 of 31 shots, while Knights netminder Grant Valentine (0-1-1) fell in the loss, saving an impeccable 40 of 43 shots. The IceRays continue the 2015 NAHL Showcase on Friday, September 25 against the Springfield Jr. Blues at 10:15 a.m. from the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. Exclusive coverage begins at 10:10 a.m. on FASTHockey.
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