The IceRays Weekly is a weekly recap and preview of IceRays news, games, and more. The IceRays Weekly will be released every Monday during the 2014-15 season.
THIS WEEK…
Saturday, December 27 vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – 7:05 p.m.
After a week hiatus for the holidays, the IceRays complete their first half of the season and the 2014 calendar year with one final home game against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees from the American Bank Center. This is the fifth meeting between these two teams, who are 2-2 in their season series for the South Texas Vo Tech Cup. The IceRays trail 7-8-1 in their franchise series after defeating the Killer Bees 4-2 on Dec. 3.
PROMOTIONS: Saturday's game is the IceRays annual Grades for Blades night honoring local schools and their commitment to the education of the Corpus Christi community. In addition, it is also a Corpus Christi Caller-Times Family 4-Pack Night, in which fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just $46.
The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees split their road weekend against the Odessa Jackalopes last Friday and Saturday with a 3-2 win and 4-3 loss from the Ector County Coliseum. Forward Kyle Stephan nailed a four-point weekend (goal, three assists) with one goal and two assists in Friday's win. Forward Logan Wendling was also a strong contributor with one goal and two assists on Friday. Goaltender Ben Johansson earned both decisions, saving 32 of 38 shots on the weekend while playing 90:14 minutes.
The IceRays (15-10-4) can thank both the Wichita Falls Wildcats (21-5-0) and Amarillo Bulls (11-15-3) in aiding their efforts in the standings after their idle weekend. With sweeps by the above teams over the Wenatchee Wild (12-15-5) and Lone Star Brahmas (19-7-2), respectively, the IceRays remain in fourth place in the South Division with 34 points. They maintain their lead over the Wild by five points, and though the Brahmas gained one point in an overtime loss, the IceRays are still within striking distance at six points behind Lone Star for third place. After their split of the weekend, the Killer Bees (10-15-4) drop to seventh in the South Division with 24 points, just one shy of sixth behind the Bulls.
South Division Matchups:
Lone Star Brahmas (3rd) @ Odessa Jackalopes (8th) – Fri. & Sat. – 7:05 p.m.
Wichita Falls Wildcats (2nd) @ Topeka RoadRunners (1st) – Sat. & Sun. – 7:05 p.m.
RGV Killer Bees (7th) @ Corpus Christi IceRays (4th) – Sat. – 7:05 p.m.
ICERAYS BITS…
For the first time since Oct. 11, the IceRays have the potential to use all skaters on their full roster. Over their last 17 games, the IceRays have suffered four suspensions to three players, six injuries that forced missed ice time, one player on international duty, and the flu virus running through the entire lineup. During that span, the IceRays are 9-7-1.
Team France had a decent showing at the 2015 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship in Division I – Group B, earning a 2-2-1 record over their five round robin games, tying for third place with Poland (2-2-1) but losing the tie-breaker on goals scored (13-11). Though they did not earn promotion to Group A, defenseman Pierre Crinon can add two more assists to his international résumé, earning a helper on the game-tying goal in their 4-3 win over Hungary and his second in their 4-3 loss to Poland. The Alternate Captain has played 27 games of international competition, recording one goal and ten assists for 11 points with 66 penalty minutes and a -7 rating.
IN THE COMMUNITY…
On Saturday, members of the IceRays staff took a trip to La Palmera Mall to help wrap presents during the holiday season. All gifts benefitted CASA of the Coastal Bend. More benefits for CASA will be announced in the coming days.
The IceRays would like to wish the entire community a very happy and safe holiday season!
– Go IceRays –
