BLAINE, MN – The Corpus Christi IceRays killed off a pair of late penalties to preserve a 5-4 opening season win at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN.
The IceRays kicked off the scoring early in the first period when Josh Obregon picked up a juicy rebound and rifled a shot past Dawson Creek goaltender Edward Dyson 2:45 into the game giving the Rays a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Frank Misuraca and Dmitry Ermakov.
Dawson Creek came right back tying the game just 12 seconds later on a quick rush as Tyson McCallum slid the puck past IceRays goaltender Kale Robertson.
The IceRays answered right back netting a pair of goals 2:22 apart. Frank Misuraca and Eric Purcell each scored giving Corpus Christi a one-goal lead.
Dawson Creek tied the game once again as Ryan Matthews netted a goal 3:03 into the second period.
Corpus Christi regained the lead at the 5:26 mark of the second period when Beau Walker received a pass at the top of the left wing circle from Josh Obregon firing it passed the diving Edward Dyson giving the Rays’ the lead once again 4-3.
The Rage scored a critical goal with four seconds remaining in the second period as Scott Fellnermayr went down the right side of the ice scoring top shelf over the shoulder of Kale Robertson once again tying the game.
Corpus Christi answered back for the final time 12:05 into the third period as Perry DArrisso scored the game winning goal with assists from Matthew Weis and Frank Misuraca.
The IceRays held off a pair of late power plays including a six on four penalty kill to hold on for the 5-4 victory. “Overall I am proud of the guys battled,” said head coach Justin Quenneville. “Especially at the end (penalty kill) using their bodies that’s what it’s about team toughness I’m excited about the win we have a lot to work on I’m going to get back to the drawing board here shortly.”
With the win, the IceRays move to 1-0 on the season. Kale Robertson finished the game stopping 20 of 24 shots.
“Overall excited about the win and look forward to tomorrow’s game” Quenneville said
The IceRays are in action tomorrow morning at 10:15AM as they play the Michigan Warriors in their second of four games at the NAHL Showcase. The game can be viewed on fasthockey.com.
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)
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