IceRays Open up Regular Season Play on Sept. 19 & 20 at the Hilliard Center
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (1-2-0) were shutout for the second consecutive night by the Shreveport Mudbugs (2-0-1) by a final score of 3-0 at George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum on Saturday night. Mudbugs Goaltender Tyler Hodges made 30 saves in the victory to close out the exhibition series.
A streak of bad luck continued to plague the IceRays in the 1st period that saw them hit a post and take multiple penalties to kick off the night. A stout penalty kill on the weekend was finally perforated on a wrist shot through traffic by Mudbugs Defenseman Corbin Gephart to give Shreveport a 1-0 lead. IceRays Goaltender Vladislav Bryzgalov surrendered the opening goal but was perfect the rest of the way including multiple highlight reel saves. But just like the first two games of the series the IceRays saw themselves trailing at the break.
Shreveport dominated position to open the 2nd period and continued to pepper Bryzgalov with shots looking to extend the advantage. Fortunately for the IceRays Bryzgalov was locked in turning aside all 10 shots he faced. Corpus Christi was held without a shot on goal for more than half the frame until Forward Chase Nehring nearly beat Mudbugs Goalie Tyler Hodges with a wrist shot. The IceRays finished the period strong but still failed to find the net extending a shutout streak of five period after 40 minutes.
An early power play in the third gave Corpus Christi a chance to tie the game but a turnover led to a breakaway for Mudbugs Forward Jared Greiner. He chipped it past the glove of Bryzgalov for his short-handed tally and a 2-0 Mudbugs lead. The IceRays continued to test Hodges at the other end of the rink, but he stood tall on the evening stopping all 30 shots he faced. Mudbugs Forward Evan Hoglund added an empty netter to seal the victory for Shreveport by a final score of 3-0.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: OPENING WEEKEND AT HILLIARD CENTER
The IceRays open the 2025–26 NAHL regular season at home with a two-day Opening Weekend Celebration, September 19 and 20:
- Friday, Sept. 19 – $1 Beer Night, presented by Michelob Ultra and I&F Distribution
- Saturday, Sept. 20 – Pregame Block Party featuring live music from The Chainlinks, local food & beer trucks, and $1 Hot Dog Night presented by H-E-B
Opening Weekend tickets are ON SALE NOW!
Visit GoIceRays.com or Ticketmaster to reserve your seats — tickets start at just $5!
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the American Bank 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 American Bank Center: American Bank Center is an entertainment complex owned by the city of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group with OVG Hospitality. The complex is in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas and consists of an arena, auditorium, and convention center. The facility hosts numerous conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, live performances, and sporting events. Located directly on the beautiful Corpus Christi Bay downtown, American Bank Center is flexible for any group offering complimentary Wi-Fi and premium food and beverage options.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
