Swept for Second Consecutive Series Against El Paso
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (6-8-1) lose their fourth consecutive game against the El Paso Rhinos (9-6-3) in a 9-3 defeat at the El Paso County Event Center Saturday night. The Rhinos scored four power play goals as the IceRays surrendered a season high goal total on the night.
“We take full responsibility for that performance. It hurts, but sometimes these moments are what push a team to grow. Our focus now is on the respons, and we’ll make sure it’s the right one, said Head Coach Kevin St. Jacques.”
The 1st period was a tale of two halves for an IceRays side that came out blazing and jumping out to a 7-0 shot advantage aided by a power play that failed to convert. Corpus Christi continued to press, and Rhino’s goalie Michael Modelski was up for the challenge. Modelski, coming off a 51 save performance last time out made 14 saves of his 38 in the period.
El Paso turned the tide with a goal from Troy Hunka at four-on-four and the Rhinos continued the barrage from there on. Under two minutes later, Hunka found Jackson Potulny fresh out of the box for a breakaway he finished off to make it 2-0. The Rhinos tacked on one more on the man-advantage by Ian Kastamo who fired home his second of the weekend to put the Rhinos up 3-0 at the break.
El Paso poured it on in the 2nd period rattling off three more goals in the opening 10 minutes putting the IceRays a 6-0 hole. Charles Turner found his second of the weekend, followed by Kamden Kaiser’s power play goal and then Sam Anderson collected his first career goal top make it six. One of the few bright spots in the game for Corpus Christi was William Stewart’s second power play goal of the season that was answered by Hunka late in the frame to put the Rhinos up 7-1 at the second intermission. Xander Miceli, in net for Corpus Christi, was chased after the sixth goal for El Paso.
The IceRays showed some signs of life early with a short-handed goal from Johhny Maruna to cut the deficit to five, but El Paso responded with back-to-back goals ending any hopes of a miracle in West Texas. Islom Dzhabberganov added one more goal for Corpus Christi before it was all said and done as the Rhino’s cruised to a 9-3 win over the IceRays to complete the sweep.
NEXT SERIES
The IceRays continue their road trip next week in their first visit to the Lone Star Brahmas on Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. both nights in North Richland Hills, Texas. Watch the game live on NAHLTV or listen by downloading the Retro Radio CC App. The pregame show kicks off 15 minutes ahead of puck drop.
NEXT HOME SERIES
The IceRays return to the Hilliard Center for Ice Out Hunger weekend when we host the New Mexico Ice Wolves for a pair of games. The series kicks off on Friday, November 28, and wraps up on Saturday, November 29, with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. both nights.
Ice Out Hunger presented by HEB is a chance for the IceRays and our fans to give back to the Coastal Bend community. Fans that bring in five canned goods will receive one free ticket to the game. All donations will benefit the Coastal Bend Food Bank.
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.
