The IceRays returned home on Friday night following a rough weekend in Amarillo. When they played the Wranglers on Saturday night, they faced off against the top team in the South Division. They had to face off against the top team again. This time, though, in the form of the New Mexico Ice Wolves.
With a win on Wednesday night, New Mexico had won three straight entering Friday night. The IceRays had faced off against the Ice Wolves four times prior to Friday’s matchup with all of the games taking place in Albuquerque. In those four games, Corpus Christi only won one game.
Friday’s matchup started in period number one with the IceRays striking first for the eighth time this season. It was Charlie Merkley scoring a deflecting a Kevin O’Keefe shot into the net. Merkley had not scored in the first sixteen games played, but he now has two in two games. The Rays took a one goal advantage into the intermission.
In the second period, the Rays struck quickly again in period number two with Jack Wandmacher burying a rebound. The goal was number two for the IceRays, and Corpus took that into the break.
The IceRays had to battle through some adversity in period number three as New Mexico cut the lead to one quickly in the third. The game went down the stretch with New Mexico getting plenty of chances. At the end of the night, Damon Beaver came up clutch for Corpus Christi.
Beaver ended the game with 49 saves on the night and earned the first star of the game. Damon Beaver already gave himself a great case for NAHL South Division Star of the Week without playing game two yet.
Speaking of game two, puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm tomorrow night. After the game, you can skate with the IceRays following tomorrow’s game.
