CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays are preparing for arguably the biggest weekend of the season so far, and the biggest test for this young team, as they prepare for the division leaders, and defending South Division champion Amarillo Bulls this Friday and Saturday night inside the American Bank Center.
This weekend will be no easy task, as the IceRays will have a test defensively that they have not been up against this year. The Bulls have scored 32 goals in seven games this year but the IceRays are ready for the challenge.
“In order to be victorious this weekend we will need to stick to our game plan that has brought us success in the past. Playing our game, which is an aggressive, puck possession, puck supporting, smart and discipline style against the veteran Amarillo Bulls will be required for the full 60 minutes,” said head coach Justin Quenneville. “We as team know that we are a tough team to beat when we bring our "A" game, and we can't afford to give any second chance opportunities against the Bulls this weekend. If we can limit those opportunities against, and capitalize on our own, will are all confident what the end result will be.”
Even though they IceRays will be facing a team older than them, the younger players on Corpus Christi have already shown they can play with anyone.
“Our players are starting to really come together after another productive week of practice,” said Quenneville. “I am proud of our older group of players who are stepping up to continue to lead this team in the right direction and very excited about the progress our younger core is making as we move forward. When you see our squad with 16 year olds in Weis and Smith, against teams in our division who ridicule us for being young, well I can't wait to see the look on our opponents face when 'we' as a team continue to dictate the game and teams begin to sigh over playing us.”
The South Division is busy this weekend as every team is in action against one other except for the Odessa Jackalopes who kick off a ten-day road trip starting in Alaska.
It’s not only on the ice, but off as well that the IceRays are preparing. The entire Corpus Christi team was educated by the Male Central Clinis and the Texas Department of Transportation preparing them for the transition to a new state.
"In today’s world of competitive athletes and the stardom that they receive." Said Efrain Franco Jr. of the Male Central Clinic. "It is important to recognize that they have the same health concerns as we do…the FANS!! It is obvious that being a professional athlete brings a sense of responsibility in them knowing that they are role models for other young men in the community. I recently had the pleasure of speaking to these players in regards to men’s health care, and many of them realized that as men, we do matter, and we do care about our health. This is a message that needs to be sent to everyone…women, children, and especially MEN! As a fan of the IceRays these are exactly the “role models” we want our young men to be rooting for!!”
The IceRays are home this Friday and Saturday as they host the Amarillo Bulls. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on ESPN Radio 1440AM.
Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/corpuschristiicerays), Twitter (@goicerays), and the team’s Youtube channel ICERAYS TV (@goicerays)
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