SHREVEPORT, LA. – The Corpus Christi IceRays (1-1-0) conceded two goals in the third period, falling 4-3 to the Shreveport Mudbugs (2-1-0) on Saturday night in their preseason return to the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.
The IceRays found themselves on an early power play after goaltender interference, but the Mudbugs tallied first in their new building while down a player. At 2:00, forward Shawn O’Malley intercepted a pass in the IceRays zone and had an open lane to the net, finishing the shot to give the Mudbugs a 1-0 lead while shorthanded. The IceRays found their chance to equalize and did so at 12:38 when forward David Thomson snapped a shot from the slot and through traffic, tying the game at 1-1.
Early in the second period, the IceRays gained their first lead of the game at 3:06 when forward Brendan Miller stuffed in a rebound off a Mason Krueger shot to move up the scoreline, 2-1. After Shreveport’s Frankie Melton was sent to the penalty box for hooking, Miller struck again, this time with a shot from the slot to double the lead, 3-1, at 8:22. The Mudbugs came back within one, 3-2, before the end of the frame at 13:33 thanks to forward Jacob Holmers jamming the puck through the crease after a wrap around attempt.
The third period brought different kinds of fireworks with two fights. Both IceRays defenseman Tucker White and forward Nathan Bryer dropped the gloves for their first looks of the season. However, the Mudbugs turned up the heat and flipped the game around. At 12:10, forward Eriks Zohovs re-directed a shot at the goal crease coming from the blue line to tie the game, 3-3. Late in the game, the Mudbugs found their winner at 18:54 with another jam, this time from forward Brendan Van Sweden to give the home side the 4-3 lead and win despite a last effort by the IceRays with the netminder pulled.
IceRays netminder Tomáš Vomáčka (0-1-0) gained the start in net while picking up the loss. The IceRays close the 2016 Preseason schedule against the Mudbugs on Sunday, Sep. 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Coverage of Sunday’s game can be found on the IceRays Official Twitter account (@goicerays) for live updates throughout the game.
The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
