SHREVEPORT, La. – On a night where the Shreveport Mudbugs raised their 2017-18 NAHL Robertson Cup banner, the defending champions defeated the Corpus Christi IceRays by a 4-1 final for the second time in three nights.
Blake Bennett scored the lone goal for the IceRays (0-2-0, 0 pts.). Florian Mnich recorded 40 saves in the loss.
Andrew Jackson, Jack Johnson, Jay Feiwell and Ethan Harrison tallied goals for the Mudbugs (2-0-0, 4 pts.).
Jackson opened the scoring at the 15:59 mark of the first period, firing a far-side shot from the top of the right circle.
With just about eight seconds remaining in the opening period, Bennett recorded a power-play goal with a wrist shot from the right wing. The goal was assisted by Kyle Moore and Santeri Hartikainen, tying the game, 1-1, just prior to the intermission.
The Mudbugs regained the lead at the 8:53 mark of the second period when Johnson jammed a puck in from the top of the crease.
The IceRays started the third period with a five-minute major power play, but Shreveport lit the lamp 33 seconds into the frame off a shorthanded goal from Feiwell. Harrison then added an empty-net goal with 1:17 remaining to secure the three-goal win for the home team.
The Mudbugs outshot the IceRays by a 44-31 margin.
Next up for the IceRays is a four-in-four stretch at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn. The action starts Wednesday, Sept. 19 with a 4:30 PM CT faceoff against the New Jersey Titans. All IceRays games are carried on Sportsradio Corpus Christi (1230 AM/95.1 FM/96.1 FM/TuneIn app) and HockeyTV.
Season seat memberships, group tickets and single game tickets for the 2018-19 IceRays season are on sale now, including for the Home Opener on Friday, Sept. 28. Call 361-814-PUCK for tickets and more information. Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).
