CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays (13-5-1) were shutout for the second time this season 5-0 at the hands of the Odessa Jackalopes (8-10-2) Thursday night at the American Bank Center. Jackalopes Goalie Benjamin Vatis made his second start of the season tonight and recorded 30 saves in his first win.
Odessa came out attacking in the opening period putting the IceRays on their heels from puck drop. IceRays Goalie Nikita Volsky was tested early and often by the Jackalopes looking for the games first goal. They would not have to wait long as Jeremy Jacobs won an offensive zone face off for the Jacks that was wired past Volsky from Caden Ghiossi to give Odessa a 1-0 lead three minutes in. Volsky faced another eight shots after that and turned aside all eight heading into the dressing room.
Corpus Christi was off to a much better start in the 2nd period, but Vatis was sensational in net for the Jackalopes. After multiple scoring chances for the IceRays, Odessa countered on an odd-man rush and converted off the stick of Jack L’Esperance to double their lead. The Jacks continued to push and moments later their leading scorer Zachary Benayon came racing through center and placed a perfect shot passed the glove hand of Volsky to make it 3-0.
The IceRays received a total of six power plays in the game, but were unable to convert in front of Vatis on their chances. The lone special teams goal came from Odessa in the 3rd period off a rebound that was put home by Jacobs to put this one out of reach for the IceRays. The Jackalopes would take on one more for good measure from Austin Richards and walk out of the American Bank Center with a 5-0 shutout.
UP NEXT
The IceRays are hosting Stars and Strips Night tomorrow night at the American Bank Center against the Odessa Jackalopes once again. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 pm and all Veterans, Military, First Responders and their families get in free with a valid ID.
For information, please call 361-814-7825, 814-PUCK.
And for more information on the IceRays throughout the offseason, visit goicerays.com.