RECORD CROWD OF 6.253 WATCHES SEASON-ENDING 3-2 LOSS FOR CORPUS CHRISTI

Mar 24, 2011

 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX- In front of a NAHL season-high 6,253 fans at the American Bank Center, the Corpus Christi IceRays fell to the New Mexico Mustangs, 3-2, on Friday night.  Charles Baldwin’s third period go-ahead goal proved to be the difference for New Mexico who swept the IceRays and finished the season 19-35-4 (42 points).  The IceRays fell to 19-34-5 (43 points) with the loss and conclude the season in fifth place.

Sam Cheraso scored in his final game for the IceRays.

Sander Valde (8) scored on New Mexico’s second shot of the first period at the 1:53 mark as his snap shot from the slot snuck through the legs of Pheonix Copley to put the Mustangs in front 1-0.  The IceRays tied the game 10:36 into the period when Joe Smereck forced a turnover which Sam Cheraso (12) ripped into the top portion of the net past Marco Wieser.  The game remained tied through the end of the frame with Corpus Christi outshooting New Mexico 12-10.

The Mustangs carried a power play into the second period and capitalized early in the frame as Adam Chapie (15) split the defense and backhanded a shot past Copley to put the ‘Stangs ahead, 2-1, 35 seconds into the period.  It was the lone goal in the frame as the ‘Rays outshot the Mustangs, 10-9.

Corpus Christi knotted the game at 2-2 in the third period when Jordan Miller (7) stuffed his own rebound on the power play past Wieser at the 5:46 mark.  Colton Saucerman and Petr Stloukal had the assists.  However, New Mexico’s power play would put the ‘Stangs in front for good as Charles Baldwin (18) walked off the side boards and tucked a backhand through Copley, 8:54 into the period, to give the Mustangs the 3-2 lead.  The IceRays pulled Copley, but had no late magic and they fell to the ‘Stangs by the 3-2 margin for the second night in a row.  Final shots were 35-25 for the IceRays.  New Mexico was 2-7 on the power play.  Corpus Christi went 1-6.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Charles Baldwin (GWG)
  2. Adam Chapie (1-0-1)
  3. Marco Wieser (33 saves, win)

 

Corpus Christi has concluded the 2010-11 season and now heads into the off-season where they will draft, hold camps, and invite a new team down in September for the beginning of the 2011-12 campaign.  Over the summer, be sure to check out what the team is doing off the ice in preparations for next season.  Season ticket, team, and scheduling information will be available in the coming months.  The team is always looking for new business and corporate partnerships.  For more information call the Rays’ front office at 361.814.PUCK (7825) or crash the net at www.goicerays.com.

 

 

 

                    “THE NEW ICERAYS…TOMORROW’S STARS”