Bucks Outlast Rayz, 3-1

Published on January 16, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - The Corpus Christi Rayz welcomed a new Head Coach and six new players to Corpus Christi on Friday night as the team faced off in Laredo. While the welcoming party was spoiled by a Bucks 3-1 victory, the Rayz played a solid game considering a third of their team was new, they were playing under different systems and a new head coach and they were battling the best team in the Central Hockey League.

The Rayz played a hard fought, physical game against the Bucks and aside from a late, empty-net goal, the Corpus Christi held Laredo to only two goals, after surrendering 12 in the last two games.

Special teams highlighted Friday night's contest, as the two teams exchanged shorthanded goals in the opening period. Chris Grenville got his first of two tallies to open the scoring while killing a penalty in the first period when he found space and took a rink wide pass from Jeff Bes to beat new Rayz goaltender Greg Hewitt for a 1-0 lead. The Rayz countered with a shorthanded goal of their own, 11 minutes later as Ken Richardson picked up a rebound pass, waited for Bucks goaltender David Guererra to move out of position and then hit new Rayz forward Paul Dunphy, who managed to sweep the puck into the net while tripped down on his stomach.

The Bucks, who own the league's best penalty killing and power play units, struck again on special teams, as J.F. David potted home a rebound goal midway through the second period to give the Bucks the lead for good. Grenville's second goal of the game and team leading 25th of the season, came on an empty net shot from the blue line to seal the victory for the Rayz.

New Rayz Head Coach Malcolm Cameron said after the game, that he was disappointed with the result, but overall happy with the play he saw on the ice, and feels continued improvement will follow shortly. Despite being saddled with a loss in his Rayz debut, Hewitt was phenomenal, making 40 saves on 42 Laredo shots. He consistently kept the Rayz in the game with kick and glove saves, including some from point blank range.

The Laredo Bucks improved their CHL leading record to 31-5-2 on the season. The Rayz fell to 13-20-3, and remain in fourth place in the Southeast Division with 29 points. Saturday night, the Rayz face off against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in a key Southeastern Division battle, as the Rayz look to get their first win under Coach Cameron. Tickets are still available by calling (361)814-PUCK.

Notes: Laredo has won seven straight games...The Bucks went 1 for 8 on the power play...The Rayz went 0 for 9...The Bucks lead the league with 13 shorthanded goals this season...Rayz forward Cosmo Dupaul was placed on injured reserve prior to the game...Laredo only had 12 skaters and was without CHL leading scorer Brett Cullaton and goaltender Marco Emond who were called up to the AHL earlier in the week...Mike Rodrigues assisted on the only Rayz goal and now has points in three straight...The Rayz were playing just their second home game since December 13th.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2004


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