Blanked by the Bees

Published on February 6, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - The Corpus Christi Rayz' key to beating the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees this season has been turning the games into scoring duels. Thursday night, Jacques Vezina and the Killer Bees made sure that was not the case, as they kept Corpus Christi off the scoreboard, shutting out the Rayz 4-0.

The Rayz had a 4-3 record against the Bees going into Friday night's contest, but all three losses had come when they failed to score more than two goals. Friday night marked the second time the Bees shutout the Rayz and their CHL leading seventh goose egg of the season.

In the first period, end to end rushes made up most of the action. Despite being outshot 12-2, the Rayz kept the Killer Bees off the scoreboard and played an evenly matched period as far as scoring chances were concerned. Rayz forward Matt Noga came away with the best chance of the period when he rang a wrist shot off of the far post.

The second period provided more of the same as both teams exchanged scoring chances and more odd man rushes. The Rayz outshot Rio Grande Valley 18-15, but the Bees took a 2-0 after book ending the period with an early and late goal.

Jason Tessier opened the scoring 20 seconds into the second when he pushed his own rebound through goaltender Greg Hewitt's legs. Later in the period, Sean Gillam scored the Bees' second goal when he capitalized on a loose puck in the Rayz defensive zone and scored a short handed goal at the 18:11 mark.

The Bees kept the pressure on in the third period when Ryan Shmyr scored on a rebound at 5:27 to give Rio Grande Valley a 3-0 lead. Troy Linna added another goal on a backhander over a sprawling Hewitt to give Rio Grande Valley a four goal lead.

Neither team was productive on the power play as the Rayz went 0-7 and the Killer Bees went 0-6. After going 2-6 on the man advantage last night, the Rayz struggled on the power play, but their penalty killing was perfect and continued to improve.

As the game developed the physical play escalated as both teams combined for 17 penalties and there was no shortage of big hits for either team.

The Rayz dropped to 16-26-3 on the season and remain in fourth place in the Southeastern Division. They fell to 13 points behind the Killer Bees, who at 21-19-6 hold the final playoff position in the Southern Conference.

After losing three straight, the Rayz will have a day off Saturday before traveling to Rio Grande Valley to take on the Killer Bees Sunday night. The Rayz play the Bees six more times this season, and will look to even the weekend series with a victory in the Dodge Arena. The Rayz are 2-2 there this season.

The Rayz next home game will be Wednesday, February 11th when the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs make their first visit of the season to the Memorial Coliseum. There are only nine home games left this season, and Wednesday night is the only home game of the week, as the Rayz battle one of the best teams in the CHL. Good seats are still available. Call 814-PUCK for more information on how to get your tickets.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2004


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