ICERAYS WEEKLY – DECEMBER 19, 2016

Dec 19, 2016

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 2016-17 season.

 

LAST WEEK…

Friday, December 16: IceRays 2, Shreveport Mudbugs 3 (SO)
Shots: IceRays 31, Mudbugs 29
PP: IceRays 1-for-3, Mudbugs 0-for-2

The Corpus Christi IceRays (11-13-1-3) and Shreveport Mudbugs (16-7-0-1) battled in a close contest, but a seven-round shootout helped the Mudbugs claim the 3-2 shootout win over the IceRays on Friday night from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum.

Just off the end of a power play, Mudbugs forward Jordan Fader (10:20 1st) deflected a shot by the IceRays netminder to take an early 1-0 lead before IceRays forward Nathan Bryer (PP, 14:14 1st) answered back with a one-time shot outside the right circle to knot the game. The Mudbugs gained back the lead, 2-1, when defenseman Brendon Gysbers (4:39 2nd) took a one-time shot off a faceoff draw after a prolonged official timeout. An answer would come in the third period from forward Jayson DiMizio (12:02 3rd) after a takeaway offensively to tie the game, 2-2, and force overtime. In the overtime, Mudbugs forward Jay Feiwell was turned away on a penalty shot at 3:24 to help force a shootout. No player scored until the seventh round when Mudbugs forward Cameron Cook (7th Round) sealed the win.

Mudbugs goaltender Dylan Lubbesmeyer (8-3-0) stopped 29 of 31 shots in the win, while IceRays netminder Tomáš Vomáčka (6-10-2) halted 26 of 28 shots in the shootout loss.

Saturday, December 17: IceRays 5, Shreveport Mudbugs 1
Shots: IceRays 26, Mudbugs 16
PP: IceRays 2-for-3, Mudbugs 0-for-4

The Corpus Christi IceRays (12-13-1-3) scored five-unanswered goals including four in the third period to take down the Shreveport Mudbugs (16-8-0-1) 5-1 on Saturday night from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum.

The Mudbugs struck first when forward Brendan VanSweden (14:23 1st) tapped in a rebound chance to gain a 1-0 advantage before IceRays center David Thomson (3:27 2nd) answered with a secondary attempt in low on a rebound to tie the game, 1-1. After a potential Mudbugs goal was waived off in the second period, the IceRays came alive in the third starting with back-to-back goals power play goals from Brad Power (PP, 2:58 3rd) and Mason Krueger (PP, 4:45 3rd) to double their lead, 3-1. IceRays forward Brendan Miller (17:01 3rd) added a stuffer late in the game, and Power (EN, 17:38 3rd) sealed the game with his second of the night in a 5-1 scoreline.

IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka (7-10-2) halted 15 of 16 shots in the win, while Mudbugs netminder John Roberts (7-5-2) stopped 21 of 25 shots in the loss.

 


THIS WEEK…

The Corpus Christi IceRays and the rest of the North American Hockey League have the week off for the annual holiday break, and play will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 28 when the IceRays and Mudbugs come back to the American Bank Center to begin their four-game set. With the win, the IceRays head into the holiday break in sole possession of fourth place and points in each of their last three games.

South Division Outlook:
The South Division scheduling resulted in a segmented approach with the 1-2 teams, 3-4 teams, and 5-6 teams each taking on each other heading into the holiday break. The Lone Star Brahmas took care of their weekend against the Wichita Falls Wildcats in North Richland Hills, but a shootout loss helped the Wildcats gain one point. The Corpus Christi IceRays gained three of four points while splitting their weekend with the Shreveport Mudbugs thanks to a shootout loss on Friday while also gaining sole possession of fourth place. The Amarillo Bulls leap-frogged two teams with their road sweep of the Topeka RoadRunners to take fifth place, and the Odessa Jackalopes were idle for a two-week break.

TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCT L10
LONE STAR BRAHMAS 32 23 8 1 0 47 .734 5-5-0-0
WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS 29 18 7 3 1 40 .690 7-1-1-1
SHREVEPORT MUDBUGS 25 16 8 0 1 33 .660 7-3-0-0
CORPUS CHRISTI ICERAYS 29 12 13 1 3 28 .483 4-5-0-1
AMARILLO BULLS 30 10 13 7 0 27 .450 4-5-1-0
TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS 30 11 16 2 1 25 .417 4-5-1-0
ODESSA JACKALOPES 26 10 12 4 0 24 .462 3-3-4-0

 


ICERAYS BITS…

IceRays special teams had a marvelous weekend in Shreveport to take into the holidays. For the first time since October 28, the IceRays recorded a multi-goal game on the power play while going 2-for-3 on the night as well as 3-for-6 through both games, which is the best weekend percentage of the season. In addition, it’s just the second time the IceRays scored a power play goal in all games during a weekend set, joining their October 6-8 performance in Topeka (7-19, 36.84%). The penalty kill went a perfect 8-for-8, marking the second time this season the IceRays went back-to-back games with a perfect kill record, joining a 7-for-7 showing on October 14-15 against Odessa. The IceRays have now had eight games with a perfect penalty kill.

 
IN THE COMMUNITY…

The IceRays and Braselton Homes are partnering to host the Women’s Shelter Winter Wonderland Skate Night on Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the American Bank Center Arena. Fans will be able to skate with IceRays staff, Stinger Ray and Santa Claus and spread the holiday spirit prior to the holiday. Admission is $10, and proceeds from the event benefit the Women’s Shelter of South Texas. Attendees are also encouraged to bring toys, supplies and donations for those staying at the shelter and their children.

#REDRISING