Bees Come Back To Beat Rayz 5-4

November 2, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees scored two third period goals to come from behind and beat the Corpus Christi Rayz 5-4 at the Dodger Arena on Friday Night. Mark O'Leary scored the game winning goal on a power play with 1:05 to play. The Rayz exploded for four first period goals, but were kept off the board the rest of the way, as they fell to 1-4-1 on the season. The Rayz will return to Corpus Christi on Saturday Night at 7:05pm and Sunday afternoon at 3:05pm for two games to complete the weekend. Tickets are currently on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations or the American Bank Center Box Office. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

The Rayz looked to make it a high scoring affair early in the game, and rookie Brent Howarth answered the call. Howarth converted a rebound just 39 seconds into the game to begin a very offensive first period. At 2:49 Travis Banga tied the score for Rio Grande Valley. Less than a minute later at 3:45 Rayz defenseman Evan Stoflet's shot from the left point went through traffic and beat David Lemanowicz for Stoflet's first professional goal and a 2-1 Rayz lead. Banga notched his second goal at 6:49 when he redirected a shot off the left post and past Jason Tapp to tie the score 2-2. The Rayz quickly responded at 8:40 when Kevin Watters had a failed clearing attempt roll right on his stick a foot outside the crease. Watters showed patience moving to his left and lifting the puck over Lemanowicz into the net to give the Rayz a 3-2 lead. The Rayz then opened up a 4-2 advantage on the power play after Geno Parrish's one timer came right back to him. Parrish then walked into the right circle and lasered a wrist shot into the top left corner for his third goal of the year. The Rayz took a 4-2 lead into the first intermission outshooting the Bees 13-10 through one period.

The pace downshifted in the second, as did the scoring. David Masse got the only goal of the frame while Rio Grande Valley was on a four-on-three power play. Masse blasted a one timer from the right point that beat Jason Tapp at 15:05 to reduce the Corpus Christi lead to 4-3. The Bees outshot the Rayz 14-11 in the period and the Rayz took a one goal lead into the third.

Dennis Maxwell tied the game at 4:43 of the third with a powerful slapshot from the left circle that beat Tapp and evened the score 4-4. That set the stage for O'Leary's dramatics. After a disallowed goal, Rio Grande Valley got a power play opportunity late and with time winding down on the man advantage, O'Leary collected a rebound from the left edge of the crease and scored the game winning goal.

Tapp took the loss allowing five goals on 38 shots. His record fell to 1-4-1. Leamanowicz earned the win making 24 saves on 28 shots and improving to 3-0. The Bees outshot the Rayz 38-28, and 14-4 in the final period. The Rayz were 1-5 on the power play, while the Bees were 2-5.

The Rayz return to the American Bank Center on Saturday Night at 7:05pm when they host the Texas Brahmas, presented by Katz 21, Niko's Steakhouse and the Martini Bar. Fans will have the opportunity to win free appetizers and dinners from Katz 21 and Niko's at the game. Then on Sunday afternoon it's Caller-Times Family Day when the Rayz welcome in the Youngstown Steelhounds. Kids 12 and under will get FREE tickets to the game with the purchase of a regular price adult ticket. Plus fans can skate with the Rayz players in a post-game skating session following the game. Get your tickets for both games today at www.ticketmaster.com, any Ticketmaster outlet or the American Bank Center. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central