Michael Azzarone Registers Assist and Game-Winning Goal in Victory
BLAINE, MN — The Corpus Christi IceRays (6-0-0) remained perfect on the season Friday night, rallying late to defeat the Idaho Falls Spud Kings 2-1 behind 25 saves from goaltender Yegor Batsokin in his NAHL debut.
Parker Deschene scored his first goal as an IceRay in the second period, and Michael Azzarone delivered the game-winner late in the third as Corpus Christi improved to 6-0-0.
“We knew this was going to be a tight, hard-fought game, and I thought our guys did a really good job staying composed,” IceRays head coach Nick Skerlick said. “Yegor was outstanding in his first game, our penalty kill came up big when we needed it, and we found a way to make a play late. That’s what good teams do, they find a way to win.”
The first period looked like two unfamiliar teams feeling each other out as both sides came out with a measured attack. Corpus Christi outshot Falls 9-6 and generated the better scoring chances early.
The best opportunity came after an IceRays power play failed to produce a goal. Oliver Czaja intercepted an outlet pass and fed Michael Azzarone on the back door, but Idaho Falls goaltender Dylan McFadyen sprawled across the crease and denied Azzarone with his right pad.
Idaho Falls failed to score on its lone power play of the period, while Batsokin stopped all six shots he faced to keep the game scoreless after one.
A key juncture came early in the second period when Idaho Falls took two penalties within just over a minute, giving Corpus Christi an extended opportunity with the man advantage. The IceRays generated several chances but could not convert.
As the period progressed, the Spud Kings began to tilt the ice in their favor and earned two power plays of their own. Each produced a premium scoring opportunity.
On the first, Idaho Falls leading scorer Brett Kazmierski broke in alone and went five-hole on Batsokin, who slammed the door. Later, Kazmierski found Ronald Wade in front of the net, but Wade missed wide on an open net.
Those missed opportunities would prove costly.
Late in the second, another pair of Idaho Falls penalties gave Corpus Christi a five-on-three advantage. Shortly after the IceRays entered the zone, Michael Sandruck found Deschene cutting into the slot. Deschene showed patience, outwaiting McFadyen before depositing the puck into the net to give Corpus Christi a 1-0 lead.
The goal marked Deschene’s IceRays and season debut. Azzarone earned the secondary assist.
The final period brought more of the same intensity as Idaho Falls pushed for the equalizer. The Spud Kings got their opportunity when Corpus Christi was called for a penalty, and they needed just nine seconds to capitalize.
Nikita Antanov fired a shot that deflected off the body of Tyler Kedzo in front and past Batsokin to tie the game.
Idaho Falls returned to the power play with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, looking to hand the IceRays their first loss of the season. Instead, Batsokin and the Corpus Christi penalty kill held firm, coming up with several key blocks.
One of those blocks sparked an IceRays counterattack.
Azzarone carried the puck across the Spud Kings’ blue line from the left circle, dragged around a defender and snapped a shot past McFadyen’s glove to give Corpus Christi a 2-1 lead late in regulation.
Idaho Falls pulled McFadyen for the extra attacker and threw everything it had at the IceRays net in the final minutes, but Batsokin came up with two crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Batsokin finished with 25 saves to earn his first career NAHL victory in his league debut.
Corpus Christi held on for the 2-1 victory and remained undefeated at 6-0-0.
UP NEXT
The IceRays will wrap up the showcase on September 26 against the Watertown Shamrocks at 2:30 p.m. CT. Catch each game on NATV with pregame show kicking off 15 minutes ahead of puck drop.
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 Corpus Christi’s premier entertainment and event complex, proudly owned by the City of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group. Named in partnership with Hilliard Law, a firm dedicated to service and community, the waterfront venue features a state-of-the-art arena, the historic Selena Auditorium, and a versatile convention center overlooking the scenic Corpus Christi Bay. With adaptable spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium food and beverage offerings, Hilliard Center is designed to deliver exceptional experiences as South Texas’ home for live entertainment, conventions, and community gatherings.
Visit HilliardCenter.com and follow the Hilliard Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest news and event updates.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
