ICERAYS RALLY LATE BUT FALL IN OVERTIME, 4-3

Feb 10, 2011

 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Jason Souva scored twice including a third period goal to force overtime, but the Corpus Christi IceRays fell to the Texas Tornado, 4-3 in the extra frame on Pink in the Rink Night on Friday at the American Bank Center. With the win Texas improves to 27-12-5 (58 points) overall while the ‘Rays drop their sixth straight and their record falls to 17-27-3 (37 points).  Announced attendance was 4,485.

 

Beau Walker recorded his 50th point in the overtime loss.

 

After a lengthy pre-game ceremony honoring those who have survived breast cancer, the IceRays battled their way to a 2-0 lead after the first period of play.  Brandon Marshall (3) tallied on the first IceRays shot of the game as his backhand shot beat goaltender Jake Stafford under the crossbar at the 2:55 mark to give the IceRays a 1-0 lead.  Jason Souva (6) scored his third goal in five games when his shot from the blue line found its way inside the right post behind Stafford, 8:59 into the period, to extend the lead to 2-0.  Texas outshot Corpus Christi 12-6, but Pheonix Copley turned all 12 shots aside.

 

Texas tallied three times in the second period for the second night in a row.  The goals came in the first 5:02 of the period.  First, Jackson Leef (18) completed a two-on-none rush with Nathan Sliwinski after defenseman Justin Lutsch fell down at the defensive blue line, 1:46 into the second frame.  With the score 2-1, Jimmy Murray (1) scored at the 2:20 mark after a scramble in front of Copley to tie the game a 2-2.  The Tornado climbed ahead of Corpus Christi, 3-2, at the 5:02 mark as David Rigatti (6) capitalized on the power play for the second consecutive game when his wrist shot hit an empty net after a centering pass from Marc Biggs.  The Tornado held the shot advantage, 16-9.

 

Souva (7) potted his second of the night to tie the game 3-3 as he swiped a loose rebound past Stafford 1:42 into the third period.  Both teams would have chances to win the game in regulation, but neither found a game-winner and the game went to overtime.

 

Justin Jones (2) ended the game just 12 seconds into the overtime period as he skated around the net and stuffed a forehand through Copley for the game-winning tally. 

 

THREE STARS OF THE NIGHT

  1. Jason Souva (2-0-2)
  2. Beau Walker (50th point)
  3. Justin Jones (GWG)

 

The IceRays are off next weekend before returning to the ice on February 25th in Amarillo. Fans can catch the pre-game show on the flagship home of the IceRays, News/Talk 1440 KEYS, www.1440KEYS.com, with the voice of the IceRays, Ryan Holt, beginning at 6:50 PM.  The game will be available online through the league’s pay-per-view website, www.fasthockey.com.  For more information call the Rays’ front office at 361.814.PUCK (7825) or crash the net at www.goicerays.com.

 

                    “THE NEW ICERAYS…TOMORROW’S STARS”