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NAHL Corpus Christi IceRays

IceRays Rally Past Brahmas Friday

November 17, 2018 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - For the second time in less than a week, the Corpus Christi IceRays battled back to tie a game in the third period, force overtime and win, as the IceRays defeated the Lone Star Brahmas 3-2 in overtime Friday night at American Bank Center. Jordan Randall scored both regulation goals for Corpus Christi, while Blake Bennett recorded the game-winning goal 1:05 into overtime.

Bennett's goal was scored on the only shot by either team in overtime. Aleksi Peltonen, Ryan Willett and Anthony Firriolo each recorded two assists in the win. The IceRays (8-9-1-0, 17 pts.) and Brahmas (9-7-2-1, 21 pts.) rematch Saturday night with puck drop set for 7:05 PM.

Michal Stinil opened the scoring for the Brahmas at the 18:07 mark of the first period, firing a shot through traffic from the center point. However, the IceRays responded immediately, as Randall tied the game just eight seconds later off a centering feed from Willett.

Vilho Saariluoma regained the lead for Lone Star with a power-play goal at the 4:28 mark of the second period. IceRays netminder Sam Best made the initial stop on a chance from Scott Persson, but Saariluoma jammed in a rebound opportunity at the back door.

The Brahmas' lead lasted until Randall tied the game with 6:23 remaining in regulation, sending a backhand shot past Lone Star goaltender Harrison Feeney's glove side.

In overtime, Peltonen bounced the puck to Bennett, who skated down the right wing and buried a far-side shot to win the game with his team-leading 11th goal of the season. Bennett continued his hot streak after scoring a natural hat trick to tie last Saturday's game against Amarillo before tallying the shootout-winning goal in that contest.

The IceRays outshot the Brahmas by a 31-19 margin, including limiting Lone Star to five shots in the first period, four shots in the second period and zero shots in overtime. Best made 17 saves for his sixth win of the 2018-19 campaign.

Corpus Christi closes its season-long 13-game homestand with Saturday night's rematch at American Bank Center. Each team will then play a game on Wednesday night, including Corpus Christi at Odessa, before the South Division rivals meet back up next weekend with a pair of post-Thanksgiving games at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills.

Single game tickets, season seat memberships, group tickets and suites for the 2018-19 IceRays season are now on sale. Visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK for tickets or more information. Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).

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