Corpus Christi beats Oklahoma City 2-1

Published on February 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


New IceRays Head Coach Brent Hughes preached defense first upon his arrival to Corpus Christi. In his debut behind the Rays bench on Friday night, it was defense that led the IceRays to a 2-1 win over the Oklahoma City Blazers. Kris Tebbs made 25 saves and John Adams scored a power play goal late in regulation to give the IceRays their third win in the last four games. Hughes became the second ever coach in IceRays history to win his debut as a mid-season replacement. The IceRays win improved their record to 22-25-4 on the season, and lifted them one point ahead of Arizona for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference - pending the Sundogs result Friday night. Corpus Christi remained eight points behind Rio Grande Valley. The IceRays will remain at home on Saturday night to host the New Mexico Scorpions at 7:45pm. For more information, please call the IceRays at 361.814.PUCK or online at www.ccrayz.com.

Corpus Christi started the new era on the right foot, getting the only game of the opening period. Adam Powell hustled to a loose puck that deflected behind the Blazers defense and then snapped a shot high stick side on Doug Groenestege at 12:16 to give the Rays a 1-0 lead. Earlier in the period, Corpus netminder Kris Tebbs made a couple of huge saves to keep the game scoreless. Tebbs denied Bill Vandermeer on a shorthanded breakaway and then stopped Simon Lambert on a point blank rebound. The Blazers outshot the IceRays 10-7 in the period.

Neither team found the back of the net in the second period, as the Blazers outshot Corpus Christi 12-1 in the frame. Tebbs remained solid, and the IceRays took their 1-0 lead into the final frame, despite setting a season low in shots for a period.

The Blazers finally pireced Tebbs early in the third period when D.J. Jelitto batted a puck out of the air and into the net 29 seconds in to tie the score 1-1. The score remained throughout most of the frame, and Corpus Christi killed off overlapping penalties, resulting in a short two-man advantage for the Blazers. Later in the period, the IceRays were on a power play and took advantage of a misplayed puck by Groenestage. The Rays caught him scrambling without his stick and John Adams buried a slapshot from just inside the blue line at 14:36 to give the Rays the lead again. Tebbs and the Rays held on down the stretch to complete the victory.

Kris Tebbs (18-16-3) got the win making 25 saves on 26 shots. Groenestage (17-4-3) suffered the loss making 13 saves on 15 shots. The IceRays power play went 1-6 and the Blazers went 0-4 on the man advantage. The IceRays were outshot by the Blazers 26-15.

The IceRays will return to the American Bank Center on Saturday night for Caller-Times Family Night presented by the U.S. Army. Get a family four-pack of tickets in most sections for just $32. The IceRays host the New Mexico Scorpions at 7:45pm. For more information, please call the Rays at 361.814.PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2009


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