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Bucks Beat Rayz 5-3

February 27, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Facing the top team in the Southern Conference with only 13 skaters in the lineup, the Corpus Christi Rayz had an uphill fight on Wednesday Night, travelling to face the Laredo Bucks. The Rayz fought their way through the game and were able to stay with the Bucks for most of the evening, but in the end, the Bucks slipped past the Rayz with a 5-3 win, led by a Jeff Bes hat trick. The loss for the Rayz was their fourth straight, dropping their record to 17-29-6, and kept them five points back from the Austin Ice Bats and four back from the Amarillo Gorillas for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. The Rayz return to the American Bank Center on Friday Night, continuing their four-game week hosting the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at 7:05pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

The Bucks wasted no time attacking the shorthanded Rayz. Just 37 seconds into the hockey game, CHL leading scorer Jeff Bes slapped a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle past Jason Tapp to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead. The rayz answered at 5:21. Jon Jankus sprung Nick Lindberg on a breakaway and Lindberg beat Dustin Traylen on a wrist shot from the left circle to tie the score. In the aftermath of the goal, Matt Smyth left the ice and did not return. The Bucks hit three posts in the period and the Rayz got some huge saves from Tapp, also killing off a 91-second Bucks two-man advantage. The Bucks outshot the Rayz 14-6 in the opening frame, but the teams were tied 1-1 heading into the second period.

The Rayz took the lead early in the second period when Jay Latulippe redirected a puck past Traylen only 1:57 into the frame. However, the Bucks came back and scored two in row to regain the lead. Bes got his second on a backhand shot at 3:45. Then at 15:13 Chris Korchinski scored from the bottom of the slot to make it 3-2. The Bucks outshot Rayz 16-9 in the period.

The Bucks padded their lead at 1:40 when Alex Goupil scored from the slot to make it 4-2. Corpus Christi pulled Tapp late in the frame and pulled within one on Brent Howarth's goal from the right circle at 17:56. Corpus Christi then had a power play late and pulled Tapp again for the equalizer, but Jeff Bes scored an empty net, shorthanded goal at 19:55 to cap the scoring.

Tapp made 40 saves on 44 shots and took the loss, dropping to 17-24-5. Traylen got the win with 19 saves on 22 shots. His record jumped to 21-7-2. Corpus Christi went 0-9 on the power play and Laredo was 0-10 on the man advantage. The Bucks outshot the Rayz 45-22.

The Rayz host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Friday night at 7:05pm and Sunday afternoon at 3:05pm. Friday is Harley Davidson Men's Night, presented by Classic Rock 104.5FM. The Rayz will wear and auction special Harley Davidson style jerseys to fans following the game. Then on Sunday, it's Caller-Times Family Day. Kids 12 and under get FREE tickets with the purchase of regular priced adult tickets. Plus fans can skate with the Rayz in a post-game skating party. Tickets for both games are on sale now. Call 814-PUCK for more ticket information.

The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade of hockey in South Texas. Individual game tickets are currently available. Get your Rayz tickets today at www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet or the American Bank Center. Rayz group discounts are also available. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

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