Bucks edge Rayz in Laredo

Published on December 28, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Laredo, TX - In a back and forth game Wednesday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center, the Laredo Bucks got a big third period goal to beat the Corpus Christi Rayz 4-2 at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The loss for the Rayz was their third in a row, and dropped their record to 11-14-1. Corpus Christi now travels to Lubbock before returning home on Saturday night for New Year's Eve Tux and Pux Night.

The Bucks took a 1-0 lead when Jeff Bes roofed a backhand shot up and over Brent Zelenewich (39 shots, 36 saves) 10:41 into the game. It was the tenth goal of the year for Bes. It appeared that the Bucks would take a lead into the intermission until the Rayz scored inside the final second of the first period. On the power play, the Rayz lost a faceoff with 4.8 seconds remaining in the period and it appeared the Bucks would clear the zone to end the frame. However, Ryan Carter stopped the puck at the left point and shot it towards the net. Derrick McIver redirected it from between the circles past David Lemanowicz (28 shots, 26 saves) to tie the score. McIver's 13th goal of the season came at 19:59 as the period ended.

In the second period the Rayz got their first lead of the game on their second power play goal. Randy Murphy and Bernie John set up Carter beautifully at the left circle and Carter ripped a shot past Lemanowicz for his 15th goal of the season. The Rayz were 2-74 in their last 74 power play opportunities coming into the game, and scored two power play goals in their first three attempts on Wednesday night. The Bucks then tied the game on a power play goal of their own when Bes scored his second of the game. Left untouched in the left circle, Bes received a rink-wide pass and shot it off of Zelenewich and into the net. The teams went into the third period tied 2-2.

The Bucks took a 3-2 lead 8:24 into the third period when rink-wide passing left Brett Arcand-Kootenay alone at the right edge of the crease. He slammed the puck into the net for the eventual game-winning goal. Steve Simoes added an empty net, insurance tally with 5.5 seconds remaining in the game. The Bucks outshot the Rayz 40-28. The Rayz went 2-5 on the power play and the Bucks went 1-4. Laredo improved their record to a Southeast Division leading 18-8-3 and increased their winning streak to three games. The loss for the Rayz was their third consecutive defeat.

Corpus Christi will now travel to Lubbock for a Friday night meeting with the Cotton Kings before returning home on New Year's Eve for Tux and Pux Night at the American Bank Center. The Rayz will host the Odessa Jackalopes at 8:05pm at the American Bank Center, and all fans in attendance will receive free admission to a post-game New Year's Eve Party on Shoreline Blvd. The post-game party will feature food, music and a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront, presented by Budweiser. All fans are invited to dress up in their formal wear, and help ring in 2006 in style. Rayz staff members and American Bank Center employees will be wearing tuxedos and formal attire. Even the Rayz players will be wearing commemorative New Year's Eve Tuxedo Jerseys for the game. The specialty jerseys will be auctioned off to fans at the game. To be a part of Tux and Pux Night with the Rayz, fans can show their Dec. 31st ticket stubs at Tuxedo Junction in Sunrise Mall and rent tuxedos for less than $30. Tickets to the game start at just $6. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2005


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