CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (4-5-1-2) played another tight game with the Odessa Jackalopes (7-4-0-0) but come up short, 2-1, on Saturday night at the American Bank Center.
The Jackalopes picked up where they left off the previous evening with pacing and possession in the first period and proved beneficial early. At 4:45, Jackalopes defenseman Jake Levin floated a shot by the glove hand of the waiting IceRays netminder to take an early 1-0 edge for the road side. Aggression stemming from last night’s game continued into tonight with 11 combined penalties in the opening frame.
Special teams became a factor in the second period despite only one power play for either side. On a Jackalopes man-advantage at 9:19, IceRays forward Brad Power led a 2-on-1 rush, feeding defenseman Matt Acciaioli to the left of the net for his first career shorthanded goal and first shorthanded goal of the season for the IceRays while evening the game, 1-1. The IceRays turned up the heat stretching from that point in the period, outshooting Odessa 15-11 in the period.
The third period once again became Odessa’s to claim from the blue line. In the final six minutes at 14:29, Jackalopes defenseman Nick Wilson took a wrist shot from the left point and beat by another glove hand for his first of the season and a 2-1 Odessa lead. A late power play and a 6-on-4 advantage couldn’t tie the game, and the IceRays fell at the end of the night.
Jackalopes netminder Jonny Hogue (5-2-0) earned the win, stopping 28 of 29 shots, while IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka (4-5-1) picked up the loss, turning away 36 of 38 shots. After a weekend off, the IceRays resume their five-game home stand on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 10:00 a.m. for the annual Kids Day Game as they welcome back the Shreveport Mudbugs to the American Bank Center. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and the American Bank Center Box Office.
Season memberships for the 2016-17 season are still available with full and partial season plans. 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), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
