Colorado shuts out Rayz

Published on January 21, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - In the only matchup of the season between the Corpus Christi Rayz and Colorado Eagles, the power play became the difference maker. The Rayz went 0-10 on the man advantage while Colorado went 2-6 with a man advantage, in a 3-0 Eagles win Saturday night from the American Bank Center. Jeff Blair made 29 saves for his first shutout of the season, and the Eagles got two power play tallied in the second period to earn the win. The loss sent the Rayz home with a 1-1 split in the weekend against the top two northern Conference teams. The Rayz record is 15-19-2 with 32 points, as they remain in fourth place in the Southeast Division and seventh place in the Southern Conference. The Rayz return to the ice Thursday night to begin a three-game set against Southeast Division opponents when they host the Austin Ice Bats. Tickets are available. Call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK for more information.

The Rayz and Eagles played a scoreless first period. The Rayz outshot Colorado 13-8 and had chances to get on the board with a two minute, two-man advantage to close the first period, but could not solve Blair.

After the Rayz failed to capitalize on power play opportunities in the first, the Eagles did just that in the second. A pair of power play goals for the Eagles opened up a 2-0 lead after two for the defending President's Cup Champions. Nick Parillo got the scoring started 2:35 in the second period to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Parillo nearly had his second with a shorthanded breakaway just over five and half minutes into the period, but Brent Zelenewich made a great right pad save to keep it 1-0 momentarily. The Eagles did make it 2-0 at 13:50 when Ryan Tobler converted a beautiful play from Greg Pankewicz and Sean Robertson. The Rayz outshot the Eagles 9-4 in the middle frame, but fell behind by a pair heading into the third period.

In the third period, the Rayz added seven shots, and Blair added seven saves to complete his shutout performance. Colorado closed out the scoring on an unconventional empty net goal at 18:35 of the third period. Tobler took a shot at the empty net from the slot that chimed off the right post. Following the play Fraser Filipic took a one timer on the rebound and missed the net, slapping it wide right. The Rayz captured the rebound, however mishandled the puck into their own net. Filipic was credited with the unassisted goal, as the last Eagles player to touch the puck.

For the second straight game, the Rayz outshot their opposition, putting 29 shots on net to the Eagles 24. The Rayz will return to the ice at the American Bank Center on Thursday night to host the Austin Ice Bats on College Night. All college students with a valid school ID will receive discounted tickets starting at just $6. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2006


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