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Published on October 15, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas – The Corpus Christi Rayz and New Mexico Scorpions got their 2004 preseason off to a quick bang in their first exhibition game of the season. A penalty filled, see-saw battle during an unconventional hockey game ended with a 5-4 Scorpions victory Thursday night at the Memorial Coliseum. The Rayz will play again Friday night in Austin, while the Scorpions will remain in Corpus Christi to play the role of host Friday night against the Laredo Bucks.

The Rayz and Scorpions played an exhibition game Thursday night with scripted 5 on 3 power plays and shorthanded skating situations for both teams. What wasn't scripted were the repeated physical battles at both ends and high drama finish that gave fans something to salivate over, just a week removed from the start of the season. The Coliseum crowd was entertained early in the contest as the Rayz struck first on the power play, when Frank Werner finished off a beautiful tic-tac-toe attack through the Scorpions zone. Werner wasn't the only rookie to leave his mark for the Rayz.

Early on in the contest, Rayz rookie forward Britt Dougherty dropped the gloves against a well tested, veteran fighter in Shawn Legault. Dougherty announced his presence to the league with big, sweeping left and rights to the head of Legault that brought the Coliseum crowd to their feet in applause of the 20-year old's effort. The Rayz got more physical play out of one of their latest arrivals, Dominic Periard, who engaged in a couple of scrums, including one with Scorpions netminder, Miguel Beaudry. Corpus Christi showed that they could find the back of the net as well with help from some solid puck movement from their defense. Last year's CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman, Bernie John made an immediate impact with his new squad as he tallied for the Rayz.

The teams exchanged scoring chances, goals and penalty shots in this exhibition game, which deviated from normal hockey structure throughout the contest. After the smoke cleared the Scorpions found themselves on the up-side of a 5-4 hockey game. The two teams will not meet again until Friday, October 29th in the Rayz third regular season game. Thursday night's game certainly leaves an interesting storyline leading up to that showdown.

The Rayz will begin the 2004-05 season in Austin on October 22nd, and host the Laredo Bucks in the first ever event at the all-new AmericanBank Center on November 5th and 7:05pm. Corpus Christi will host three more preseason games, including one between the Rayz and the Mexico National Hockey Team in the Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, October 16th. Preseason games go through Monday, October 18, 2004. Make your plans to be a part of all 30 Corpus Christi Rayz home dates this season. Group rates and corporate sponsorship packages are currently available. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK or log on to the Rayz website at www.ccrayz.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2004


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