Corpus Christi Records its Third Multi–Power Play Goal Game of theSseason
ODESSA, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays (10–11–2) never trailed in the series opener against the Odessa Jackalopes (11–7–4), securing a 5–3 victory Friday night at Ector County Coliseum. Corpus Christi featured five different goal scorers and netted two power-play goals en route to their third straight win.
The IceRays struck early as Andrej Paricka and Justin Thibault picked up where they left off last weekend, combining for the opening goal just three minutes in. Thibault recorded his second of the season on the team’s first shot of the game. Only a few shifts later, the third member of their line, Easton Swift, batted home his seventh of the season to give Corpus Christi a 2–0 lead.
Odessa responded with a hot power play, cutting the deficit in half when Nicholas Arrington buried a rebound. The Jackalopes high-tempo offense struck again on an odd-man rush, with Gabe Pankratz finishing a one-timer to tie the game 2–2 before intermission.
Islom Dzhabberganov took back-to-back penalties to begin the second, sending the IceRays penalty kill to work. From the box, he watched his teammates kill off both minors behind several key saves from Vladislav Bryzgalov, making his third consecutive start. The New Jersey–born netminder stopped 35 shots through the first 40 minutes.
Corpus Christi then earned a four-minute power play but couldn’t convert despite sustained pressure on Odessa goaltender Kevin Jones. The IceRays kept pushing, and with under two minutes left in the period, Jonathan Cifaldi squeezed a shot through Jones for his second of the season, restoring the lead at 3–2.
Looking for breathing room in the third, the IceRays capitalized early on the power play when Chase Nehring punched in his seventh goal of the year to make it 4–2. Corpus Christi continued to outskate Odessa throughout the frame, drawing another man-advantage. This time, Johnny Maruna hammered a one-timer past Jones to extend the lead to 5–2.
Odessa pulled Jones for an extra attacker for much of the final five minutes, and Danial Kuczkowski knocked a puck out of midair to bring the Jackalopes within 5–3. But the IceRays and Bryzgalov held firm the rest of the way to secure the win.
Bryzgalov finished with 47 saves, earning his ninth victory in 14 starts this season. With their first three-game win streak of the year, the IceRays now have a chance to return to .500 with a win tomorrow night.
NEXT GAME
The IceRays and Jackalopes wrap up the two-game series tomorrow night at the Ector County Coliseum with puck drop scheduled at 6:00 p.m. CT. Watch the game live on NAHLTV or listen for free on the Retro Radio CC App! The pregame show kicks off 15 minutes ahead of puck drop.
NEXT HOME SERIES
Corpus Christi hosts the Oklahoma Warriors at the Hilliard Center on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20. Saturday is our annual Teddy Bear Toss Night benefitting Nate’s Next Kid Up! Bring a new stuffed animal and when the IceRays score their first goal, let those Teddy Bears fly!
GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW
Tickets start at just $5! Student and Active Military Tickets are available at the Hilliard Center Box Office with valid ID.
Grab yours now at www.goicerays.com, on Ticketmaster, or at the Hilliard Center box office
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the Hilliard 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 Hilliard Center: Hilliard 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, Hilliard 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.
