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, October 10: IceRays 2, Lone Star Brahmas 3 (OT)
Shots: IceRays 21, Brahmas 17
PP: IceRays 1-for-7, Brahmas 1-for-9
The Corpus Christi IceRays fought back in the third period but fell in overtime to the Lone Star Brahmas, 3-2, from the NYTEX Sports Center. The IceRays outshot the Brahmas 21-17, and both teams combined for a season-high 97 penalty minutes.
The Brahmas scored two goals in the first period to take the early game lead. Forwards Sebastian Vidmar (power play) and Hunter Stanley netted the two goals.
In the third period, the IceRays charged back and cut the deficit in half, 2-1, on a Tanner Lomsnes power play goal at 2:50 with assists going to Wes Michaud and Anthony Cortese. Forward Nic LaBurn sent the game into overtime at 16:12 of the same period with a one-timer from Lomsnes and Cortese. Vidmar would win the game in overtime.
Luke Pickar (1-2-1) was awarded the loss, stopping 14 of 17 shots faced, and TJ Black (2-3-0) earned the win for the Brahmas, saving 19 of 21 shots faced.
Saturday, October 11: IceRays 2, Lone Star Brahmas 5
Shots: IceRays 23, Brahmas 31
PP: IceRays 0-for-5, Brahmas 0-for-5
The IceRays fell behind early and couldn't recover, losing to the Lone Star Brahmas, 5-2, at the NYTEX Sports Center. Shots favored the Brahmas 31-23 in the first sweep of the IceRays this season.
The IceRays fell behind in the first period, 3-0, and would answer the call before the end of the first frame at 18:46 on a Connor Bucsis redirection from Wes Michaud and Joe Chitwood. In the second period, the IceRays would bring the deficit to one, 3-2, when a turnover in the Brahmas end led to an open shot from forward Ryan Cusin. The Brahmas would score two more in the third to put the game away.
Forward Sebastian Vidmar scored two of the five goals (one shorthanded), and forwards Ludvig Larsson & Liam Stirtzinger (empty net) and defenseman Johan Steen scored the other three goals.
Andrew Lindgren (4-1-2) picked up his first regulation loss, turning aside 26 of 30 shots. Jake Kupsky (3-0-1) earned the win for the home side, saving 21 of 23 shots.
THIS WEEK…
Friday, October 17 vs. Topeka RoadRunners – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, October 18 vs. Topeka RoadRunners – 7:05 p.m.
The Corpus Christi IceRays will play back home at the American Bank Center this weekend against the South Division-leading Topeka RoadRunners in their final meeting this season. The RoadRunners swept their opening weekend bout in Kansas, winning 4-3 in a shootout on Friday, September 12 and 5-2 on Saturday, September 13. The IceRays are now 1-17-2 against Topeka all-time, going 0-5-2 since their last win against the RoadRunners (Feb. 1, 2013: 3-2 SOW).
PROMOTIONS: On Friday, the IceRays host their weekly Frosty Friday, where beer and sodas are only $1. On Saturday, the team hosts U.S. Army Night presented by the United States Army as well as Caller-Times Family 4-Pack Night. Fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $46.
The Topeka RoadRunners continued their winning ways, sweeping the Odessa Jackalopes at home last weekend, 5-2 and 5-0. Forward Tyler Irvine led the charge for the RoadRunners, scoring three goals and two assists for five points on the weekend, while leading point scorer forward Mike Gornall racked up one goal and three assists for four points. Forward Carlos Fornaris also picked up four points.
The RoadRunners sit atop the South Division with a 10-2-0 record and 20 points following a weekend sweep of the Jackalopes. They lead the division by six points over second-place Wichita Falls, who own a 7-3-0 record and 14 points. The IceRays follow suit in third with a 5-3-3 record and 13 points, just two points ahead of Rio Grande Valley and Lone Star.
ICERAYS BITS…
Forward Nic LaBurn was given a game misconduct at the tail end of Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Lone Star Brahmas for an obscene gesture. He will be suspended for a minimum of three games. There has not yet been any word from the North American Hockey League on length of suspension or any appeals.
Defenseman Anthony Cortese remains tied with Kenai River's Tyler Andrews for the most points by a defenseman in the NAHL this season at 11 points. Cortese leads all defenseman in goals scored (5) as well as all IceRays players in goals and points.
The IceRays continue their strong defensive play on the penalty kill. Despite seeing their 26-straight penalty kill streak snapped on Friday night, the team is still one of the top in the NAHL during their last nine games. The IceRays have gone 39-for-41 (95.12%) since starting the season 13-for-17 (76.47%) in their opening weekend in Topeka. Overall, the team ranks fourth in the NAHL in penalty kill percentage (89.29%) this season.
IN THE COMMUNITY…
The IceRays will make an appearance this Thursday, October 16 at the South Texas Ice House starting at 6:30 p.m. for an event for Texas MD and NSide Magazine. Featured in the event will be Mayor Nelda Martinez and the official physical therapy providers for the IceRays, Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
On Friday, October 17, Stinger Ray will be hanging out with Happy Bear at Pinwheels for the Prevention of Child Abuse at the KIII-TV front lawn on SPID from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. during the morning news. Stinger Ray will be featured on the morning news on channel 3 for 15-30 minutes to show their support. 1,956 pinwheels will be on display on the lawn.
The IceRays start gearing up for Pink in the Rink with an appearance this Saturday, October 18 at the Making Strides of Corpus Christi Breast Cancer Walk at Water Gardens. The team will have a table for more information on the Pink in the Rink event on Novermber 8. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:00 a.m.
Finally, on Sunday, October 18, the IceRays players and staff will be at the Ronald McDonald House on 3402 Fort Worth Street serving lunch to the guest families staying at the house. Food will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. for those families only.
– Go IceRays –
