Corpus Christi, TX (Jan. 20, 2023) – The Corpus Christi IceRays upset the top-seeded Lone Star Brahmas in front of a rowdy crowd on Friday, January 20th at the American Bank Center.
Game Action
The IceRays opened the game with an early power play opportunity, but it did not go as planned as Mason Mara picked off the puck at center ice, motored in on a breakaway and backhanded one by IceRays netminder Lukas Malant to give the Brahmas the early 1-0 lead.
The IceRays went on the man advantage again a few minutes later and this time newly appointed captain, Anthony Cafarelli, wired one past Lone Star goaltender Arthur Smith from the high slot to tie the game at one.
A late first period goal put the Brahmas up 2-1 as Captain Mason Mara snapped one by Malant for his second of the period.
The Brahmas capitalized on their second power play of the game as it was Jacob MacDonald who picked up the loose change in front and beat Malant for his second of the season which was the only goal of the second stanza.
Anthony Cafarelli brought the crowd back to life with his second of the game just 27 seconds into the third period, making it 3-2. Jacob Karpa gunned one past Lukas Malant at the 6:31 mark to put the Brahmas back up by two.
It was only a matter of time until the synergy between Dylan Contreras and Logan Neilson kicked in as Contreras snapped one home after a cross-ice feed from Neilson on the power play to make it a 4-3 game at the 8:45 mark. Neilson would finish a nice dish from Contreras on an odd man rush to tie it at four at the 16:43 mark.
It was Blake Lewis who just about blew the roof off the building when he scored on a beautiful setup from Hans Ulvebne with just 1:26 in the third, for his eighth of the year. Leo Korus would add an empty net goal to make it 6-4 and seal the deal for the IceRays.
It was one of the most exciting games of the season for the IceRays who handed Brahmas goaltender Arthur Smith just his second regulation loss of the season. The Brahmas had been perfect when leading after two periods, but the IceRays had other ideas.
The IceRays went two for five on the power play and two for three on the penalty kill. Lukas Malant stopped 29 of 33 for his second consecutive win.
IceRays Next Game
The IceRays next game is Saturday, January 21st against the Lone Star Brahmas at the American Bank Center. Puck drop is at 7:05 PM CST.
Join the Action and Bring the Sting
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