Corpus Christi and El Paso Combine for 5 Goal Second Period
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (4-7-0) were swept for the first time this season in a 5-3 defeat against the El Paso Rhinos (5-5-1) on Saturday night at the Hilliard Center. It marks the first time this season the IceRays have fallen three games below .500.
The opening 10 minutes were controlled by El Paso, who jumped out to an early 7-1 shot advantage, but IceRays goaltender Xander Miceli was sharp early, keeping the Rhinos off the scoresheet. As the period wound down, a loose puck in the Rhinos’ zone was collected by IceRays captain Marc-Alexandre Richard, who fired home his third goal of the season to give Corpus Christi a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, the IceRays went on the power play but failed to capitalize before the intermission.
After a weekend where offense was at a premium, the game broke open in the second period, becoming a rollercoaster for both teams. The first of five goals in the frame came from El Paso’s Aiden Bergner, who netted the equalizer. Corpus Christi responded 39 seconds later off a 3-on-1 rush, finished by Nick Sinani for his second goal of the weekend. The lead was short-lived, as the Rhinos answered just 11 seconds later when Troy Hunka capitalized on a Corpus Christi turnover to tie the game at two. El Paso took its first lead of the night six minutes later, scoring off an odd-man rush to go up 3-2. The IceRays struck back with the first power-play goal of the weekend for either side, as Johnny Maruna shoveled a backhand shot on net to bring the game level at 3-3 after 40 minutes.
El Paso regained the lead six minutes into the third period when a bouncing puck in front of Miceli was batted home by Greyson Settipane, making it 4-3 Rhinos. The IceRays pushed hard for an equalizer, with their best chance coming on a shot from Grayson Gerhard that rang off the post and bounced wide. Rhinos netminder Jakob Hanlan stood tall, stopping 11 of his 37 total saves in the 3rd period to shut the door on Corpus Christi. Aiden Bergner added an empty-net goal to seal the 5-3 win and complete the sweep for El Paso.
NEXT HOME SERIES
The IceRays are back at the Hilliard Center next Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25, when they host a two-game series against the Shreveport Mudbugs. A FREE post-game skate presented by RFTC will be held following the conclusion of Saturdays game.
Tickets start at just $5! Student and Active Military Tickets are available at the Hilliard Center Box Office with valid ID.
Grab tickets now at www.goicerays.com, on Ticketmaster, or at the Hilliard Center box office. If you can’t make it to the rink, catch the action live on NAHLTV or listen by downloading the Retro Radio CC app on your favorite smart device!
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.
