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, October 14: Odessa Jackalopes 2, IceRays 1
Shots: Jackalopes 30, IceRays 19
PP: Jackalopes 0-for-1, IceRays 0-for-2

The Corpus Christi IceRays (4-4-1-2) maintained a close game but slipped late in the game to fall 2-1 to the Odessa Jackalopes (6-4-0-0) on Friday night at the American Bank Center during the 2016-17 home opener.

Jackalopes forward Nick Klishko (13:05 1st) found an opening from the right circle to give Odessa a 1-0 lead. The IceRays wouldn’t tie the game until the second period when forward Brad Power (10:56 2nd) slid a shot through the five-hole to make it 1-1. In the final minute of the game, Jackalopes forward Ryan MacKellar (19:01 3rd) re-directed a shot off his knee coming from Christian Hausinger to edge ahead and win 2-1.

Jonny Hogue (4-2-0) saved 18 of 19 shots in the win, and Tomáš Vomáčka (4-4-1) halted 28 of 30 shots in the loss.

Saturday, October 15: Odessa Jackalopes 2, IceRays 1
Shots: Jackalopes 38, IceRays 29
PP: Jackalopes 0-for-6, IceRays 0-for-5

The Corpus Christi IceRays (4-5-0-2) played another tight game with the Odessa Jackalopes (7-4-0-0) but fell 2-1 on Saturday night at the American Bank Center.

Jackalopes defenseman Jake Levin (4:45 1st) picked up the game’s first goal early in the contest from the right point to take a 1-0 lead. The IceRays found the equalizer once again in the second period, this time from defenseman Matt Acciaioli (SH, 9:19 2nd) for the team’s first shorthanded goal of the season to knot things up, 1-1. A third period goal from Jackalopes defenseman Nick Wilson (14:29 3rd) was the difference as Odessa took the 2-1 win.

Jonny Hogue (5-2-0) turned away 28 of 29 shots in the win, and Tomáš Vomáčka (4-5-1) stopped 36 of 38 shots in the loss.

 
THIS WEEK…

The Corpus Christi IceRays have another weekend off before picking up their five-game home stand next week against the Shreveport Mudbugs. This is the second weekend off for the IceRays in October, and between off-weekends the IceRays own a 2-2-1-0 record with points in three of five games. The off-week is their last before the holiday break in December.

South Division Outlook:
The Lone Star Brahmas have started to take claim of the South Division as they catch up with most of the six other teams in games played during a three-game road sweep of the Amarillo Bulls from the Amarillo Civic Center while expanding their lead to three points over second place. The Odessa Jackalopes have moved up to a share of second place with the Bulls after taking both games against the Corpus Christi IceRays on the road. The Shreveport Mudbugs took down the Wichita Falls Wildcats in each of their sole games this weekend, and the Topeka RoadRunners edged out two of a possible four points in a non-divisional matchup with the Springfield Jr. Blues on home ice, becoming the only South Division team to claim a win on home ice last weekend.

ICERAYS BITS…

IceRays defenseman Matt Acciaioli‘s shorthanded goal is the first for the IceRays this season and first in the defenseman’s NAHL career. The IceRays become the sixth team in the South Division and 18th across the NAHL to notch a shorthanded tally with only Aberdeen, Brookings, Fairbanks, Kenai River, Shreveport, and Springfield forced away from a goal while on the penalty kill. The IceRays now have 42 shorthanded goals in seven seasons, averaging 6.83 heading into this season and five in each of the last two years.

IN THE COMMUNITY…

Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OPT) is hosting a mixer in celebration of Physical Therapy Month on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at their location on 5718 Spohn Drive. IceRays players will be in attendance signing autographs as well as former IceRays player Dustin McArthur. The event is by R.S.V.P. only.

– #REDRISING –