ICERAYS WEEKLY

Sep 22, 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…

Wednesday, September 17: Kenai River 2, IceRays 5
Shots: Kenai River 23, IceRays 23
PP: Kenai River 1-for-3, IceRays 1-for-3

The Corpus Christi IceRays opened the 2014 NAHL Showcase at Schwan Super Rink #2 in Blaine, Minn. with a 5-2 victory over the Kenai River Brown Bears to earn their first win of the season. For the first time this season, the IceRays tied in shots.

Anthony Cortese made history in his third game, recording the first natural hat trick by an IceRays defender in the organization's 17-year history. Nathan Bryer would tally the other two goals for the home side.

Gustav Berglund and Nate Colwell scored the two goals for Kenai River.

Andrew Lindgren (1-0-1) earned his first win of the season, stopping 21 of 23 shots faced. Zach Quinn was awarded the loss, turning aside 18 of his 23 shots against.

Thursday, September 18: IceRays 0, Minnesota Wilderness 1
Shots: IceRays 20, Wilderness 14
PP: IceRays 0-for-3, Wilderness 0-for-3

The IceRays were shutout for the first time this season, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Minesota Wilderness from Schwan Super Rink #2 in Blaine, Minn. at the NAHL Showcase.

Dan Litchke scored the only goal in the game for the Wilderness in the first period.

Luke Pickar earned the loss for the IceRays in his second start, turning away 13 of 14 shots. Ryan Anderson picked up the win for the Wilderness, shutting down all 20 shots he faced.

Friday, September 19: Wenatchee Wild 0, IceRays 2
Shots: Wenatchee 29, IceRays 27
PP: Wenatchee 0-for-4, IceRays 0
-for-5

The IceRays rebounded with a 2-0 victory against the Wenatchee Wild at Schwan Super Rink #4 in Blaine, Minn. from the NAHL Showcase. This was Head Coach John Becanic's first meeting with Wenatchee since coaching the Wild from 2010-12.

Both goals came in the first period, with Anthony Cortese netting the game-winning goal and Tanner Lomsnes adding the insurance marker.

Andrew Lindgren denied all 29 shots faced to record his first shoutout with the IceRays. Wenatchee's Forbes Ploszaj made his first appearance against the IceRays since playing with the team last season, stopping 25 of 27 shots.

Saturday, September 20: IceRays 3, Keystone Ice Miners 4 (Shootout 0-1)
Shots: IceRays 24, Keystone 27
PP: IceRays 2-for-5, Keystone 0-for-2

The Corpus Christi IceRays closed out their 2014 NAHL Showcase with a 4-3 defeat (1-0 shootout) against the Keystone Ice Miners from Schwan Super Rink #4 in Blaine, Minn. The IceRays are now 0-for-12 in shootouts under Head Coach John Becanic and 0-2 against Keystone in shootouts (0-2 overall record).

Connor Bucsis, Tanner Lomsnes, and Wes Michaud recorded the trio of goals for the IceRays. Matt Jones, Jon Hall, and Brendan Jaquay netted all three regulation goals for Keystone with Jaquay scoring the only shootout goal.

Andrew Lindgren earned his second shootout loss, stopping 23 of 26 shots. Alex Blankenburg was awarded the victory, saving 21 of 24 total shots.

THIS WEEK…

Saturday, September 27 vs. Lone Star Brahmas – 7:05 p.m.

The Corpus Christi IceRays will host the Lone Star Brahmas for their first of eight meetings against their South Division opponent. The IceRays won five of their eight meetings last season and own a 14-26-4 record in their first four years of competition.

The IceRays sit tied for second place in the South Division with a 2-2-2 record and six points, sharing that spot with Wichtia Falls. The Brahmas are tied for fifth in the division, owning a 2-2-0 record with four points.

Brahmas goalie Jake Kupsky is sixth in the NAHL in goals against average (1.73) and save percentage (.936).

Promotions: Saturday is Childhood Cancer Awarneness Night at the arena! A large portion of the game's proceeds will benefit Brooke's Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation. During the game, blossoms made by Brooke and the IceRays players will be handed out to fans personally by Brooke.

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 $44.

For more information on Brooke's Blossoming Hope and Brooke's story, fans are encouraged to visit www.BrookesBlossoms.org.

ICERAYS BITS…

Defenseman Anthony Cortese leads the team in goals (4) and is tied for the team lead in points (6) after recording a natural hat trick on Wednesday against Kenai River at the NAHL Showcase. He's currently averaging a point per game while being with the team for less than two weeks. Both IceRays wins have come on game-winners by Cortese, and one goal was on the power play. He also owns two assists thus far.

Forward Connor Kelly also recorded a strong week at the NAHL Showcase, grabbing four assists on the week to take the team lead in assists (5) and sits tied for second place in points (5).

IN THE COMMUNITY…

The Corpus Christi IceRays have a busy week leading up to their home opener on Saturday. On Monday, Joe Chitwood and Travis Howe joined Stinger Ray and the IceRays front office at the Whataburger Grand Opening on 7702 South Padre Island Drive. Later that evening, the front office and players hosted their annual Season Ticket Holder Party at Mesquite Street Pizza and Pasta Company, handing out tickets and introducing the players.

On Tuesday, the IceRays joined the City Hall Coucil Chamber for "Leave It Better Than You Found It" Pledge Partner Day in the morning and created blossoms with Brooke that will be auctioned off at Saturday's Childhood Cancer Awareness night game to raise funds for Brooke's Blossoming Hope.

Six players will be at Treasure Island Gold Course on Wednesday evening for "Putting With Your Politicians," setting up shop at Hole 14 with a Happy Gilmore theme, which includes putting with a hockey stick.

On Friday, the IceRays are hosting "Meet The Team" at La Palmera Mall from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The location is still to be determined.

– Go IceRays –