Easton Swift Score GWG in Overtime for Corpus Christi
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (1-0-0) win a thriller to open up preseason action over the Shreveport Mudbugs (0-0-1) in overtime by a final score of 5-4. IceRays newcomer Easton Swift scored the overtime winner with 19 seconds remaining to cap off the victory at George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum Thursday night.
“I liked the resilience we showed tonight, said Head Coach Kevin St. Jacques. It wasn’t perfect—there are definitely things we need to clean up—but the guys battled hard, stayed composed, and found a way to win in overtime. That’s what preseason is about: building chemistry, learning, and competing. Proud of the effort, and we’ll keep pushing forward.”
The IceRays were on their heels early in the 1st period allowing Shreveport to take control early and test IceRays Goaltender Xander Miceleli. He was sharp early making key saves to keep the Mudbugs off the board until Carter Mckay swatted a rebound past him to make it 1-0 Mudbugs. The IceRays would respond just over six minutes later when Forward William Steward chased down a loose puck and chipped one past Mudbugs Goaltender Alex Perrin to tie the game at 1-1. Shreveport would strike back before the end of the frame off an odd-man rush finishing with a shot by William-Alexis Tremblay to restore a one goal lead and sending the Mudbugs with a 2-1 lead at the intermission.
After a sleepy start for both sides in the 2nd period, Corpus Christi went on the offensive and rattled of three unanswered goals starting with Forward Jonathan Cifaldi chipping a puck home to make it 2-2. Thirty-seconds later Mudbugs Defenseman Evan Adams shot a puck off the shin pads of IceRays Forward Chase Nehring that bounced past Perrin to give Corpus Christi a 3-2 lead. Returning Forward Grayson Gerhard wanted to the join the party too and added his 1st of the preseason by turning the corner on a Mudbugs defender and slipping a forehand shot through the five-hole of Perrin to make it 4-2 IceRays at the second intermission.
Shreveport would not go away quietly in the 3rd period as Jacob Stock for the Mudbugs had a pass ricochet of his skate and passed IceRays Goaltender Cassidy Kitteridge who took the net for the final 20 minutes. Corpus Christi did their best to hold on to a 4-3 lead, but Shreveport executed with their goalie pulled and Stock scored the equalizer to make it 4-4 and send the game to overtime.
The IceRays had multiple chances to win the game at three-on-three but none better than a penalty shot from Jack Mackenzie that was turned aside with the blocker by Perrin. It was just a matter of time however as Easton Swift had space with the puck on his stick and fired a wrist shot passed Perrin to seal a 5-4 win over the Mudbugs to kick off the preseason.
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the American Bank Center in downtown Corpus Christi, TX. For more information or for all your ticketing needs, contact the IceRays Front Office at (361)-814-PUCK or visit www.GoIceRays.com . You can also follow the team through their social media platforms: Facebook @goicerays, Instagram @iceraysnahl, and Twitter @iceraysnahl
About North American Hockey League: Celebrating its 50th season in 2024-25, the NAHL, the only USA Hockey sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 35 teams in 20 states from North American. For more information, visit the NAHL website at https://nahl.com/
About American Bank Center: American Bank Center is an entertainment complex owned by the city of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group with OVG Hospitality. The complex is in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas and consists of an arena, auditorium, and convention center. The facility hosts numerous conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, live performances, and sporting events. Located directly on the beautiful Corpus Christi Bay downtown, American Bank Center is flexible for any group offering complimentary Wi-Fi and premium food and beverage options.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
