IceRays Outshoot Wranglers 49-17 Including 20 shots in 3rd Period
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (14-15-3) dominated the Amarillo Wranglers (14-16-1) Friday night at the Hilliard Center, ending a four-game skid with a 4–2 victory in the series opener. The IceRays outshot the Wranglers 49–17, holding Amarillo to fewer than 10 shots in each period.
“That was the response we were looking for,” said IceRays Head Coach Kevin St. Jacques. “Our compete level was there from the opening faceoff. We didn’t get rewarded early, but we stayed patient, kept putting pucks on net, and eventually wore them down. That’s the kind of effort we expect every night.”
Corpus Christi jumped all over Amarillo in the first, firing 17 shots on net in the opening 20 minutes. Despite the heavy shot advantage and multiple scoring chances, Wranglers goaltender Charles-Antoine Girard was sensational, keeping the game scoreless. The IceRays earned three power plays in the frame, including an extended 5-on-3, but failed to convert on each man-advantage. At the other end, IceRays netminder Xander Miceli turned aside nine shots to send the game into the intermission scoreless.
Both offenses awoke early in the middle period, with Corpus Christi striking just 37 seconds in on Justin Thibault’s sixth goal of the season. Amarillo responded quickly, as Kirill Evstigneev buried a one-timer less than a minute later to tie the game 1–1. The IceRays answered after a pair of penalties, as defenseman Islom Dzabberganov scored at 4-on-4 to restore a one-goal lead. The Tashkent, Russia, native now leads all IceRays defensemen with five goals this season. Corpus Christi continued to apply pressure but was unable to extend the lead before the break.
The IceRays opened the third period with an offensive barrage, with Girard doing all he could to keep the Wranglers within reach. Following a fourth unsuccessful power play, Ture Anund fired a shot through traffic deflected by Andrej Paricka on the back door for his 11th goal of the season, giving Corpus Christi a 3–1 lead. Amarillo refused to go quietly, as Ty Izadi snapped a shot past Miceli to cut the deficit to 3–2 with a half a period remaining. Before things could get any more interesting, IceRays forward Johnny Maruna broke free down the left wing and ripped a shot into the top corner to seal the 4–2 victory.
NEXT GAME
The IceRays and Wranglers wrap up the weekend series tomorrow night at the Hilliard Center on City County Night! All Nueces County employees get in free when they show a valid ID at the box office. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. You can also tune in live on NAHLtv or listen for free on the Retro Radio CC app.
GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW
Tickets start at just $5! Student and Active Military Tickets are available at the Hilliard Center Box Office with valid ID.
Grab yours now at www.goicerays.com, on Ticketmaster, or at the Hilliard Center box office
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 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, Hilliard 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.
