Corpus Christi Erases Two-Goal Deficit in Final Home Game
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (29-22-6, 64 pts) erased a two-goal deficit in their final home game of the regular season, earning an exhilarating 3-2 shootout victory over the El Paso Rhinos (32-18-7). The win marks Corpus Christi’s first triumph over El Paso this season and their eighth shootout victory of the year. It also marked Head Coach Ryan Gil’s first career win in the NAHL.
“I’m really proud of the resilience in that room. Down two goals, nobody panicked, we just kept playing our game and found a way to get it done, said Gil.”
Both teams came out flying, trading chances early in a fast-paced opening period. El Paso struck first just over four minutes in, as Jacob Solano buried a rebound to give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead. The two sides exchanged power-play opportunities shortly after but were unable to capitalize.
Late in the frame, a pair of IceRays penalties within 30 seconds gave El Paso another chance with the man advantage, and the Rhinos made it count. Just 12 seconds into the power play, Kamden Kaiser blasted home a one-timer for his 32nd goal of the season, doubling the lead to 2-0.
Corpus Christi came out energized in the second period, applying heavy pressure and forcing Rhino’s goaltender Logan Hughes into early action. Despite controlling play and holding a significant shot advantage, the IceRays were unable to break through in the opening 10 minutes.
That changed when James Chase stayed with the play and chopped home his own rebound, snapping a two-month goal drought and cutting the deficit to 2-1. Moments later, Rhinos forward Massimiliano Monson was assessed a five-minute major for cross-checking, giving Corpus Christi a prime opportunity to seize momentum.
While the IceRays generated sustained pressure on the extended power play, El Paso’s penalty kill stood tall. However, just 20 seconds after Monson exited the box, defenseman Nick Evans fired a wrist shot through traffic and past Hughes to tie the game at 2-2. Easton Swift and Andrej Paricka picked up assists on the equalizer, sending the Hilliard Center crowd into a frenzy.
The intensity carried into the final minute of the period, where two late IceRays penalties set the Rhinos up with a two-man advantage to begin the third.
Corpus Christi weathered the early storm, killing off both penalties to keep the game tied. The IceRays then turned up the pressure, outshooting El Paso 12-4 in the third period and coming within inches of taking the lead on multiple occasions. Hughes delivered several highlight-reel saves, including key stops on Jack Mackenzie and Alexandr Skuratov, to keep the game deadlocked. He finished the night with 44 saves.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation, the game moved to overtime.
The pivotal moment came when Sam Troutwine was called for interference, giving El Paso a power play in the extra frame. Goaltender Xander Miceli rose to the occasion, turning aside four shots to preserve the tie. Moments after the successful kill, Troutwine jumped out of the box and was sprung on a breakaway, but Hughes came up with, yet another clutch save.
The game would ultimately be decided in a shootout.
El Paso’s Ian Kastamo missed wide to open the skills competition, setting the stage for Alexandr Skuratov, who calmly lifted a backhand past Hughes to give Corpus Christi the edge. Troy Hunka rang his attempt off the glass, and Hughes denied Andrej Paricka to keep the Rhinos alive.
With the pressure on, Kamden Kaiser skated in needing to score, but Miceli stood his ground and made the save to seal a dramatic 3-2 shootout victory for the IceRays—sending the Hilliard Center into a roar.
Despite a win by the Shreveport Mudbugs earlier in the night, the IceRays maintained their hold on fourth place in the South Division standings. Corpus Christi remains in control of its postseason positioning heading into the final weekend of the regular season, keeping pace in a tightly contested playoff race.
NEXT SERIES
The IceRays will wrap up the 2025–26 regular season on the road in Oklahoma, taking on the Warriors in a two-game series at the Blazers Ice Center. The series begins Friday, April 3, and concludes Saturday, April 4, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT both nights. Catch all the action live on NATV or listen on the Retro Radio CC app!
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the Hilliard Center in downtown Corpus Christi, TX. For more information or for all your ticketing needs, contact the IceRays Front Office at (361)-814-PUCK or visit www.GoIceRays.com . You can also follow the team through their social media platforms: Facebook @goicerays, Instagram @iceraysnahl, and Twitter @iceraysnahl
About North American Hockey League: Celebrating its 50th season in 2024-25, the NAHL, the only USA Hockey sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 35 teams in 20 states from North American. For more information, visit the NAHL website at https://nahl.com/
About Hilliard Center
Hilliard Center is Corpus Christi’s premier entertainment and event complex, proudly owned by the City of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group. Named in partnership with Hilliard Law, a firm dedicated to service and community, the waterfront venue features a state-of-the-art arena, the historic Selena Auditorium, and a versatile convention center overlooking the scenic Corpus Christi Bay. With adaptable spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium food and beverage offerings, Hilliard Center is designed to deliver exceptional experiences as South Texas’ home for live entertainment, conventions, and community gatherings.
Visit HilliardCenter.com and follow the Hilliard Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest news and event updates.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
