ICERAYS WEEKLY

Nov 23, 2014

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.

LAST WEEK…

Friday, November 21: Odessa Jackalopes 2, IceRays 6
Shots: Jackalopes 26, IceRays 30
PP: Jackalopes 0-for-4, IceRays 0-for-2

The Corpus Christi IceRays scored five goals in the first period en route to a 6-2 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes. Their five goals in the first period was the most in a period this season.

Defenseman Pierre Crinon (2:37, 1st) started the scoring with a left point slap shot to take the lead, 1-0. Just over one minute later, forward Connor Bucsis (3:46, 1st) slid in another goal to double the lead, 2-0. Forward Tanner Lomsnes (8:35, 1st) tripled the lead, 3-0, thanks to a redirection of a Logan Gestro shot. Forward Nic LaBurn (11:06, 1st) shoved an Odessa defenseman off the puck and scored from the slot to take a 4-0 lead. After an Odessa answer, affiliate forward Frankie Melton (17:41, 1st) earned his first of the year to take a 5-1 lead. The Jackalopes would answer one more time in the period, and Lomsnes (6:18, 3rd) ensured the win on a wrap around to finish off Odessa, 6-2.

Forwards Razmuz Waxin-Engback (12:56, 1st) and Alex Alger (18:28, 1st) claimed both goals for the Jackalopes, both coming in the first period.

IceRays goaltender Luke Pickar (3-3-2) earned the win, stopping 24 of 26 shots. Both Odessa goaltenders played in the game, with Robin Johansson saving 22 of 26 shots and Ploszaj (3-7-1) grabbing the loss, turning aside four of six shots.

 

Saturday, November 22: Jackalopes 3, IceRays 4 (OT)
Shots: Jackalopes 39, IceRays 28
PP: Jackalopes 1-for-5, IceRays 0-for-1

The Corpus Christi IceRays ended the weekend in a thrilling overtime penalty shot 4-3 win over the Odessa Jackalopes. The IceRays have won five-straight games and closed out their home stand 6-1-0.

Forward Ryan Cusin (8:34, 1st) scored first on a backhanded play to take the lead, 1-0. Forward Connor Bucsis (17:35, 1st) followed suit with a redirection off a Pierre Crinon point shot to double the lead, 2-0. Defenseman Anthony Cortese (11:33, 2nd) took a blast from the right point, expanding the lead 3-0. After three-straight Odessa goals to answer and send the game into overtime, forward Wes Michaud (3:12, OT) was taken down from behind to force a penalty shot, in which he scored to claim a 4-3 victory.

Forwards Alex Alger (17:45, 2nd), Chad Guderian (6:38, 3rd), and Kenny Hausinger (PP, EX)(19:34, 3rd) claimed the trio of goals for the Jackalopes to force overtime and claim one point.

IceRays goaltender Andrew Lindgren (9-3-2) earned the win, saving 36 of 39 shots, while Robin Johansson (3-7-2) dropped with the overtime loss, stopping 24 of 28 shots.

THIS WEEK…

Friday, November 28 @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 29 @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – 7:30 p.m.

The Corpus Christi IceRays travel to the Valley for the first time this season Thanksgiving weekend to play a two-game set against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. In their last meeting on Nov. 12, the IceRays took a 3-1 victory to claim a 1-0-0 series lead in the South Texas Vo Tech Cup. With the win, the IceRays evened the franchise series 6-6-1 heading into the weekend.

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees had third period leads in both games last weekend against the Wichita Falls Wildcats but couldn't hold on, dropping both contests 4-3 and 4-2 on the road. Friday's loss ended with a penalty shot just 1:31 left in the third period. Forward Dean Balsamo led the way in scoring with three assist in Saturday's loss, while forwards Stathis Soumelidis and Kyle Stephan earned two goals apiece on the weekend.

The IceRays (12-6-4) have solidified themselves in the top-four of the South Division, sitting in fourth at 28 points. The only change in point spread comes from the top-ranked Topeka RoadRunners, who are now four points ahead of second place and six points in front of the IceRays. The Killer Bees (7-10-4) dropped to sixth in the South Division, remaining at 18 points with a four-point spread behind the Wenatchee Wild for fifth.

ICERAYS BITS…

The penalty shot taken by forward Wes Michaud on Saturday marked the second time in IceRays junior history that the team won a game by virtue of a penalty shot in overtime. The only other time that occurred was on Sep. 23, 2011 when forward Eric Purcell did the same against the Odessa Jackalopes and netminder Connor Hellebuyck. Over their junior history, the IceRays are 2-for-3 in penalty shots, with the most recent chance by forward Tony Roisum on Nov. 30, 2013 against the Wichita Falls Wildcats was denied by Chase Munroe.

The IceRays finished their seven-game home stand with a 6-1-0 record and on a five-game win streak. In that span, the IceRays have outscored their opponents 30-16 while holding their opponents to three goals or less six of their seven games. This is the longest win streak of the season for the IceRays with the lone loss in the home stand coming on Oct. 30 against the Wichita Falls Wildcats (3-1 L).

Four IceRays players will bring five-game point streaks into their weekend set against the Killer Bees. Forward Tanner Lomsnes leads the way with ten points (3+7=10), followed by forwards Wes Michaud at nine points (4+5=9) and Ryan Cusin with six points (4+2=6). Defenseman Anthony Cortese has the third-highest point total of the group, earning seven points (1+6=7) in that span.

IN THE COMMUNITY…

The IceRays will be helping out younger skaters taking part in the Jr. IceRays tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This session is for pre-registered children that are learning how to skate and play the sport of hockey. This event is not open to the public.

Over the course of this week and next, the entire IceRays team will be soliciting donations for the Corpus Christi Metro Ministries in their neighborhoods and local businesses leading up to the team's next home game on Wednesday, December 3. If any fan or member of the Corpus Christi community would like to donate, please call the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK (7825).
 

– Go IceRays –