Sunday, 10.08.17 / 11:03 pm CT
The IceRays edged the Amarillo Bulls by a 2-1 final in overtime on Sunday night to earn their first road sweep of the season.
While they did not light the lamp as quickly as they did on Saturday night, the Rays still managed to draw first blood. Just 17 seconds into their first power play of the game, Josh Tripp scored off a rebound in which Brandon Bussi was caught out of position. Angus Scott and Larry Jungwirth were credited with assists.
Doubling the IceRays in first period shots, the Bulls managed to level the score late in the opening period. At 19:17, Jon Russell brought the puck down the left wing and ripped a shot inside the right post to beat Chad Veltri low glove-side. Russell’s goal was his division-leading 7th of the season.
The teams remained deadlocked in a 1-1 stalemate for the rest of regulation. Despite nine power plays between each side, goaltenders Veltri and Bussi kept the door shut
In the last 1:17 of the third period, Amarillo defenseman Quinn Warmuth took a tripping penalty and was sent to the box. Outraged by the decision, Bulls Head Coach Rocky Russo was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after he voiced his frustration.
Going onto a late 5-on-3 penalty, the IceRays failed to convert and the Bulls returned to full strength in sudden death overtime.
Had there been a single whistle following the two-man advantage, the teams would have switched to a 3-on-3 for the remainder of overtime. However, before a whistle was blown, Trevor Wilhelm slung a shot from the top of the right circle and through Bussi to win the game.
Veltri made 49 of a possible 50 saves en route to a First Star of the Game performance. Bussi stopped 29 of 31 and was charged with the overtime defeat. The IceRays will head to Shreveport and take on the Mudbugs on Friday, October 13th at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 pm CT.
