Brahmas spoil the Rayz party

Published on November 5, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Rayz celebrated the one-year anniversary of the American Bank Center Opening on Saturday night. Unfortunately, Larry Sterling and the Fort Worth Brahmas came and crashed the party handing the Rayz a 3-1 loss. The Rayz got out of the gates slow and didn't score until the final minute of the game, dropping their second straight game at home. Corpus Christi now goes on the road for two straight before returning home next Saturday for Military Appreciation Night at the American Bank Center with Hall of Fame Wrestler Sgt. Slaughter. All military members - past and present - will receive discounted tickets for just $5, and the Rayz will wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game. For ticket information, please contact the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

The first period yielded a back and forth flow with the Rayz and Brahmas both getting chances to start the game. It was the Brahmas who broke on to the scoreboard first at 11:23 mark of the first period when Cory Stillman scored his first goal of the season. Fort Worth defenseman Dion Hyman brought the puck into the zone and lost it at the top of the slot. where Stillman jumped on it and pushed a shot that was going wide until it hit Rayz defenseman Matt Frick's skate and past goaltender Scott Reid (34 shots, 32 saves) to give the Brahmas the lead. The Rayz outshot the Brahmas 16-12 in the frame, but Fort Worth goaltender Larry Sterling (42 shots, 41 saves)was perfect making all 16 saves.

In the second period, it was more of the same. The Rayz had five power play chances to try and solve Sterling, but could not find the back of the net. After both teams had their chances for the first half of the period, again it was Fort Worth that managed a goal to increase their lead. David Silverstone rushed into the zone on a three on two attack and wristed a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net past Reid. Silverstone's goal came assisted by Ben Gustavson and Konrad Brand and gave the Brahmas a two-goal lead. The second intermission came with the Rayz trailing 2-0. The lead marked the third straight home game that the Rayz had fallen behind 2-0.

In the third period, after 59:30 of being shutout, the Rayz finally got on the board. On a 4-3 power play, the Rayz pulled Reid for an extra attacker giving them a two-man advantage. Blair Stayzer charged to the net and the puck squirted into the left circle. With traffic in front the Carter jumped into a play and got the Rayz first goal of the game. Keeping Reid on the bench, the Rayz had an opportunity with a 5-4 man advantage, but they were unable to get a shot away in the final 30 seconds of play and Bret DeCecco's insurance goal with three tenths of a second left on a clock iced the game for the Brahmas. The Rayz finished 1-10 on the power play and the Brahmas were 0-8. Reid was outstanding in defeat, falling to 2-3 on the year, while Sterling remained perfect, improving his record to 5-0. The Brahmas win moved them into a first place tie in the CHL standings with 11 points. The loss dropped the Rayz record to an even .500. Corpus Christi will go on the road on Thursday and Friday in Memphis and Fort Worth looking to exact revenge on the two teams that handed the Rayz home losses this week. The Brahmas will wait for the Rayz on Friday night for their next game.

The Rayz will return to the American Bank Center next Saturday night, November 12th for Military Appreciation Night presented by Navy Army Federal Credit Union. It is also men's night presented by Time Warner, Harley Davidson and Classic Rock 104.5FM. Hall of Fame Wrestler Sgt. Slaughter will lead the attack when the Rayz as Corpus Christi engages in a night of "Gorilla Warfare" against the Amarillo Gorillas. Come and see wrestling legend, Sgt. Slaughter live next week with the Rayz. Tickets start at just $10 for the general public and all military members get $5 tickets with their military ID. The Rayz will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game. For more info, call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 5, 2005


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