The IceRays hosted their 13th annual Stars and Stripes night on Saturday evening. The crowd at American Bank Center was bumping as just over 4,600 people walked through the doors Saturday night.
The product on the ice was just as good as the crowd with the IceRays striking just under four minutes into the game thanks to a goal from Frank Jenkins. The goal, which is Jenkins third of the season, was the lone tally in game’s first frame.
In period number two, the IceRays separated themselves from the Rhinos scoring twice in the frame. The first goal was scored by Casper Gillberg. The goal was the first of the season for the Swedish born defenseman as he made his return to the lineup on Friday evening. The second goal was scored by Gillberg’s only teammate from his homeland, Albin Persson. The goal for Persson pushed him into double digits for points on the season.
The IceRays and Rhinos exchanged some messages between one another throughout the game, which resulted in penalties for both sides. The biggest message sent, though, was former El Paso Rhino Stepan Kuznetsov burying a goal that put the IceRays ahead 4-0.
With just under five minutes to go in the game, the Rhinos got their first and only of the night past Beaver. The 34 save performance was one of Damon Beaver’s best this season as he has now won two of his last three starts.
The win jumps the IceRays over El Paso in the standings and helps Corpus Christi move closer to a playoff spot. They’ll have a chance to make their case next week as the team faces off against the second place Amarillo Wranglers on the road next weekend.
