BLAINE, MN – The Corpus Christi IceRays found the offense they had been looking for the past two games as they defeat the Minot Minotauros 7-2 in the final game of the 2011 NAHL Showcase.
The IceRays kicked off the scoring when Seth Blair received a long outlet pass from Frank Misuraca. Blair went in on the break scoring his first goal of the season.
After Jack McCartan was given a two minute minor for high sticking, The Minotauros cancelled any pressure Corpus Christi was applying with a shorthanded goal to tie the game at one. Buster Hebda notched the goal for his first goal of the year.
The game was not tied at one for long. Corpus Christi scored on the same power play that they were scored on earlier. 46 seconds later Matthew Weis put the IceRays back on top with assists from Perry DArrisso and Mychal Monteith to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.
The second period saw no scoring until the 18:31 mark when Perry DArrisso gave the IceRays a 3-1 lead. Just when Corpus Christi thought the second period would end with a two-goal lead, Jadin Martin pulled the Minotauros back within one goal with just 29 seconds left in the period.
The third period was all Corpus Christi as the IceRays scored four unanswered goals all within 3:04 of each other. Mychal Monteith kicked off the scoring 3:10 into the final period with his first of the year. Joe Smereck, Brandon Smith, and Perry DArrisso all scored in a span of 1:46 to give the Rays a 7-2 victory.
“It’s great to see the puck going into the net”, said head coach Justin Quenneville.
The IceRays continue to outshoot their opponents as they outshot Minot 33-25.
Anthony Stolarz picked up his first win of the season putting aside 23 of 25 shots.
Corpus Christi returns to the American Bank Center next Friday as they host the Odessa Jackalopes in the home opener at 7:05PM!
Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/corpuschristiicerays), Twitter (@goicerays), and the team’s Youtube channel ICERAYS TV (@goicerays)
“THE NEW ICERAYS…TOMORROW’S STARS”
