Winning on Friday night earned the IceRays at least a split in the two-game series with the Jackalopes. The IceRays were not alright heading into the holiday break on a split it seemed, though.
In the first period, Odessa was able to hit the score column first as their goal would be the lone one of the first period. The Jackalopes extended their lead to two midway through the second period thanks to the stick of Rylan Yates.
The IceRays had sat quiet on the scoreboard all night until a face off was won forward by Corpus Christi. Dylan Contreras retrieved the puck from the corner and fed the puck to a wide open Colby Seitz who buried his second of the season. His first goal also came against the Jackalopes back in October.
Just over a minute and a half after the Seitz goal, the IceRays struck again. The second goal for Corpus Christi was put into the back of the net by the captain Jude Kurtas. Once again, the Rays weren’t done for the period as Nathan Butler struck on a breakaway to give the Corpus the lead late in the second frame.
In the third, Nathan Butler gave the IceRays an insurance goal midway through the period. The IceRays forced the Jackalopes hands to pull their goaltender late in the period.
Kuznetsov had just stepped out of the penalty box and found himself in the defensive zone working for possession of the puck. He eventually got the puck at neutral ice and back handed it toward the net, which found its way into the back of the net to extend the lead to 5-2. Helm added another empty netter with the Rays finalizing things at 6-2.
The score is also the record the IceRays finished their last eight games with as they complete their third sweep in four weekends.
The Rays enter the holiday break in sole possession of fifth place in the South Division only four points back of a playoff spot. That playoff spot that Corpus Christi is closest to is possessed by Lone Star, who the IceRays start the second half with on December 30 and 31.
