IceRays blow out Buck

February 19, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Chad Woollard's third hat trick in a month capped off a season-high offensive night for the Corpus Christi IceRays in a 9-4 victory over the Laredo Bucks on Friday night at the American Bank Center. The IceRays got four goals in the first and added four more in the third to extend their point streak to eight games over Laredo. The IceRays win moved them back over .500 to 22-21-7, and they remained two points ahead of Rio Grande Valley for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. They also closed the gap to six points with the Bucks for fourth place. The IceRays will return to the American Bank Center on Saturday night to host the Rapid City Rush. Tickets are currently on sale. For more information, please call the IceRays at 361.814.PUCK or visit them online at www.goicerays.com.

The IceRays dominated play right from the start with a four goal first period. The IceRays opened the scoring with two straight power play goals. At 2:01 Adam Powell scored on a five-on-three to make it 1-0. 38 seconds later Kyle Peto scored on the second half of the same power play to make it 2-0. The Rays extended the lead to 3-0 when Chris Richards scored at 7:47 on a nice set up just outside the crease from Kurtis Dulle. The Bucks got on the board at 8:18 with a Curtis Billsten redirection goal, but the IceRays regained their three-goal lead when Steve Later scored on a power play from the blue line at 12:54 to make it 4-1. The bucks pulled Pier Pelletier for Kevin Desfosses after Later's goal, and the ICeRays kept the 4-1 lead until intermission. Corpus Christi outshot Laredo 18-12 in the frame.

The Bucks came out an inspired team to start the second and quickly turned it into a close hockey game. Laredo scored a power play goal from Darryl Smith 20 seconds into the period to get the Bucks back on the board, and then 16 seconds later Neil Trimm scored to get Laredo within one. In 36 seconds the IceRays lead had been evaporated to a single goal. But Chad Woollard responded for the IceRays for his first of three goals shortly after at 1:11 to make it 5-3 IceRays. The score held for the remainder of the period.

After another quick strike by the Bucks in the third period by Robin Richards on the power play, the IceRays took control. 29 seconds after the Bucks made it 5-4, Woollard again struck from the left circle to make it 6-4. Following Peto's rebound goal at 14:29, Woollard completed the hat trick with a one-timer from the slot at 15:34. Immediately after the goal, Desfosses shattered his stick in frustration with repeated slams against the left post, and was assessed a penalty. Chad Costello put on the finishing touches with a goal in the final minute to complete the 9-4 onslaught.

Kevin Beech (11-5-3) earned the win, making 32 saves on 36 shots. Desfosses (10-9-2) took the loss in relief making 23 saves on 28 shots. Pelletier stopped 9 of 13 and did not figure into the decision. The IceRays power play went 3-7 and the Bucks went 2-5. The IceRays outshot the Bucks 42-36 in the game.

The IceRays will return to the American Bank Center on Saturday night at 7:45 to host the Rapid City Rush on Stripes Night. The first 20 fans who wear red and white striped shirts to the game will be moved into a suite courtesy of Stripes convenience stores. There are also Caller-Times Family Four Packs of tickets available for $34. For more information, please call the IceRays at 361.814.PUCK or visit them online at www.goicerays.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central