CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays put the pedal to the metal in their 6-2 rout of the Odessa Jackalopes from the American Bank Center. They improve their win streak to four games, their longest of the season thus far.
Fireworks were on display in the first period, with seven combined goals between both sides. The IceRays started first at 2:37 when defenseman Pierre Crinon rifled a slap shot off the draw from forward Nathan Bryer through Odessa goaltender Robin Johansson from the left point for his first North American Hockey League point, claiming the 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later, at 3:46, forward Connor Bucsis found the puck on his stick to the left of Johansson and slid it by the netminder to double the lead, 2-0, with defenseman Anthony Cortese grabbing the assist. At 8:35, forward Tanner Lomsnes added a goal, redirecting a Logan Gestro shot from the left circle by newly-substituted Forbes Ploszaj to spread the lead, 3-0. With no answer in sight, the IceRays made it one more at 11:04 thanks to strong play from forward Nic LaBurn to muscle an Odessa defender off the puck in his own slot and scoot it by Ploszaj to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Jackalopes did answer a few minutes later at 12:56 of the first period when forward Razmuz Waxin-Engback skated the puck himself into the offensive zone and slot it top shelf by IceRays netminder Luke Pickar to get one on the board, 4-1. With Johansson back in net for the Jackalopes, affiliate forward Frankie Melton earned his first goal in his first NAHL game by throwing a wrist shot by Johansson glove side to spread the lead back to four, 5-1. Gestro and defenseman Taylor Karel picked up assists on his first goal. One final answer would come from the Jackalopes at 18:28 of the first period when forward Alex Alger stuffed a second chance play by Pickar to the left side of the net to cut into the lead, 5-2, heading into the first intermission.
After a scoreless second period, the IceRays were the only team to tally in the third period. At 6:18, Lomsnes drew Johansson far out of his own net, allowing the forward to push around for a wrap-around play to solidify the win, 6-2. Forward Wes Michaud earned the lone assist. Pickar (3-3-2) picked up his second-straight win, stopping 24 of 26 shots against, while Ploszaj (3-7-1) was credited with the loss, saving four of six shots. Johansson also turned aside 22 of 26 shots in the contest.
The IceRays return to action at home on Saturday, November 22 at 7:05 p.m. when they look for their second-straight sweep against the Odessa Jackalopes from the American Bank Center. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsJuice.com, FASTHockey.com, and on 87.7 FM in-arena. Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for season and individual ticket details or check out the pricing and seating chart online at www.goicerays.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 YouTube (IceRays TV).
