ICERAYS WEEKLY

Sep 28, 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…

Saturday, September 27: Lone Star Brahmas 1, IceRays 2
Shots: Brahmas 32, IceRays 27
PP: Brahmas 0-for-3, IceRays 1-for-3

The Corpus Christi IceRays opened their 2014-15 home schedule with a 2-1 victory over the Lone Star Brahmas at the American Bank Center. Though staying even throughout most of the game, the Brahmas finished the game ahead 32-27 in shots.

IceRays forward Tyler Johnson netted his first goal of the season at 12:24 of the first period to give the IceRays the lead, 1-0. Joe Chitwood helped to set up the two-on-one rush that resulted in the goal. At 4:17 of the second period, IceRays forward Nathan Bryer recorded what would become the game winning goal on the power play to increase the lead, 2-0, thanks to come precision passing from defenseman Trevor Heuser and forward Ryan Cusin.

The Brahmas did score one goal in the third period at 13:25 when forward Roman Uchyn stuffed a shot home along the post to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. Defenseman Johan Steen and forward Sebastian Vidmar earned the assists.

Andrew Lindgren (3-0-2) earned the win in his third-straight start, turning away a season-high 31 out of 32 shots, and  TJ Black (0-3-0) was credited with the loss, stopping 25 of 27 shots.

THIS WEEK…

Friday, October 3 vs. Wenatchee Wild – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, October 4 vs. Wenatchee Wild – 7:05 p.m.

The Corpus Christi IceRays will host the Wenatchee Wild this weekend for their second and third meetings against their South Division opponent. The IceRays won their first meeting at the NAHL Showcase on Friday, September 19 in Blaine, Minn., 2-0. IceRays defenseman Anthony Cortese and forward Tanner Lomsnes scored the game's lone goals. Andrew Lindgren earned his first shutout of the season, stopping all 29 shots, and former IceRays netminder Forbes Ploszaj earned the loss for the Wild, saving 25 of 27 shots.

Heading into this week's games, the IceRays sit third in the South Division with a 3-2-2 record, earning eight points. They trail the Wichita Falls Wildcats by two points for second place and the Topeka RoadRunners by four points for first place. Wenatchee split last weekend's games against the Odessa Jackalopes, moving their record to 2-3-1 with five points in seventh place.

With the win, the IceRays draw even in their franchise series, 1-1, and lead the season series, 1-0. Wild goalie Forbes Ploszaj currently sits tenth in the NAHL for goals against average (2.51).

Promotions: Friday is Frosty Friday at the American Bank Center. Fans can purchase beer and soda at the game this and every Friday for only $1.

Saturday is City/County Night presented by Citgo. All employees of the city of Corpus Christi, Nueces County and surrounding cities and counties will be given tickets to enjoy IceRays hockey.

Saturday is also Corpus Christi Caller-Times Best of the Best Family 4-Pack Night. Fans can buy four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just $46.

ICERAYS BITS…

On Saturday, the IceRays acquired forward Nathan Colwell from the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL in exchange for forward Isaac Ceh and defenseman Jason Lem. With the transaction, the IceRays have moved the roster to 23 players, meeting the league maximum before the October 1 deadline.

Colwell, 18, played four games with the Brown Bears this season, recording one goal and one assist with ten penalty minutes and a -3 plus/minus. In 2013-14, the 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound native of Englewood, Colo. played with the Brown Bears, recording nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points with 40 penalty minutes and a -9 plus/minus.

Netminder Andrew Lindgren has played well in his first five games with the team, earning a 3-0-2 record and all eight points the IceRays have earned. He now sits sixth in the NAHL among goaltenders in goals against average (1.75) and save percentage (.934).

IN THE COMMUNITY…

This week, the Corpus Christi IceRays will be at Driscoll Children's Hospital on Tuesday, September 30 at 11:00 a.m. to visit and color with the children. That event is not open to the public or media.

– Go IceRays –