CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays solved the Matt Leon mystery tonight inside the American Bank Center as they beat the Wichita Falls Wildcats 5-2 ending the two game losing streak.
The Wildcats got the scoring going 7:41 into the game off a big shot from the point, Anthony Stolarz made the original save, however Patrick Yudez scooped up the rebound and fired it into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Corpus Christi tied the game with 4:38 left to go in the first period as Perry D’Arrisso sped past the Wildcats defense, picked up the loose puck and backhanded it past goaltender Matt Leon tying the game at one goal a piece with his 11th of the year.
In the second period Beau Walker broke the tie game with his ninth goal of the year for a 2-1 lead as he rifled a shot top shelf on Matt Leon.
The IceRays poured it on in the middle period and AJ Jarosz gave them a 3-1 lead on the power-play 9:22 into the period.
A bit of controversy ended in a positive note for the IceRays after Joe Smereck thought he had scored his ninth goal of the year however the referee originally waved the goal off. After a bit of discussion the right call was made and Smereck was credited with the goal for a 4-1 advantage.
Eric Purcell came back after a nasty injury and scored the fifth goal of the night for Corpus Christi on a pass from Frank Misuraca for a 5-1 lead with 1:54 left in the second period.
The lone goal of the third period was scored off the stick of Tanner Fahlstedt pulling the Wildcats within three goals, however the IceRays won 5-2.
Anthony Stolarz stopped 41 of 43 shots on net in the victory.
The IceRays take on the Wildcats tomorrow night inside the American Bank Center. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on ESPN Radio 1440AM.
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 the team’s Youtube channel ICERAYS TV (@goicerays)
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