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NAHL Corpus Christi IceRays

IceRays Come up Short in 4-2 Loss to Lone Star

February 13, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi IceRays vs. the Lone Star Brahmas
Corpus Christi IceRays vs. the Lone Star Brahmas
(Corpus Christi IceRays)

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS - The Corpus Christi IceRays (18-21-3) couldn't climb out an early hole, falling 4-2 to the Lone Star Brahmas (29-10-7) on Saturday night at the American Bank Center.

The Brahmas came out of the gates with a high amount of energy and cornered the IceRays back in the opening frame. That presence, and a power play, led to defenseman Dalton Skelly becoming open at the blue line and slapping a shot through traffic under the crossbar at 5:22 to give Lone Star a 1-0 lead. Just over three minutes later at 8:52, Brahmas defenseman Bud Madej took a slap shot from the same location and found a seam through traffic to double the lead, 2-0. The power play was working well for Lone Star, converting on their second of two chances with a shot at the blue line from defenseman Cameron Clarke at 15:58 to triple the lead, 3-0, heading into the first intermission.

Another early goal in the second period put the Brahmas up by their largest lead of the night. At 2:16, forward Johan Lundgren touched in a pass on the back door of the Corpus Christi net coming from forward Martin Mellberg to push ahead, 4-0. At that point, the IceRays exchanged goaltenders with starter Graham Hunt giving way to Dryden McKay after 22:16 minutes played. The IceRays pushed back with physical play after the change, and a late power play found the team's first answer. At 17:43, forward Drake Lindsay found an open puck right off a faceoff draw to give the IceRays their first of the night for a 4-1 deficit.

The game leveled out through much of the third period, but a quirky goal gave the IceRays a little bit of jump late in the game. Defenseman Colton Meehkof flipped the puck from the right point and caught a piece of the Brahmas netminder and worked into the net to draw within two, 4-2. Despite pulling McKay late in the game with a power play, the IceRays couldn't close the early deficit and dropped the contest.

Brahmas goaltender Conor O'Brien (11-4-5) picked up the win, stopping 27 of 29 shots. Hunt (10-13-3) grabbed the loss, stopping 10 of 14 shots through 22:16 minutes. McKay did not record a decision but stopped all 13 shots faced. The IceRays begin their final two-game weekend set against at the Amarillo Civic Center on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:05 p.m. against the Amarillo Bulls. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) and FASTHockey.com.

The IceRays come back to the American Bank Center on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7:11 p.m. to begin a two-game set against the Odessa Jackalopes. Contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK or go to www.goicerays.com for details on season tickets along with pricing and seating. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

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Corpus Christi IceRays vs. the Lone Star Brahmas
Corpus Christi IceRays vs. the Lone Star Brahmas
   

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