IceRays Surrender Two Goal Lead in 4-2 Loss to El Paso
NAHL Corpus Christi IceRays

IceRays Surrender Two Goal Lead in 4-2 Loss to El Paso

Published on January 30, 2026 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Corpus Christi IceRays (20-16-4) failed to hold a two-goal lead Friday night, as the El Paso Rhinos (21-14-6) scored four unanswered goals to defeat the IceRays 4-2 at the El Paso County Event Center. The loss snapped an eight-game point streak for Corpus Christi and marked their fifth straight defeat against El Paso.

"We liked our start and the way we built a two-goal lead, but we have to be better managing the game from there," said Head Coach Kevin St. Jacques. "Special teams and discipline caught up to us, and against a team like El Paso, that's the difference."

The IceRays opened the contest with three shots in the first minute and controlled the opening five minutes in El Paso. Their strong start earned them the first power play of the night, but they struggled to find a rhythm and failed to convert. IceRays goaltender Xander Miceli was sharp in the opening frame, stopping all 10 shots he faced as the Rhinos responded with pressure of their own. At the other end, Michael Modelski matched Miceli save for save to keep Corpus Christi off the board. A relatively quiet first period sent the game to intermission scoreless.

Corpus Christi began the middle frame on a penalty kill and successfully kept El Paso's lethal power play off the board for the time being. The IceRays then went on the attack, and captain Marc-Alexandre Richard blasted a slap shot past Modelski to open the scoring. The pressure continued, leading to two drawn penalties and a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage. Corpus Christi's five-man unit moved the puck crisply, setting up a one-time blast from Johnny Maruna that found the back of the net for his eighth power-play goal of the season, giving the IceRays a 2-0 lead. Nick Evans and Easton Swift picked up the assists on the power play tally.

After failing to score on the remaining minute of the man advantage, El Paso responded just over a minute later when Troy Hunka broke free on a breakaway to cut the deficit to 2-1. Hunka followed up his 19th goal of the season with his 20th on a Rhinos power play, evening the score at 2-2. Both teams settled for a tie after 40 minutes.

The IceRays got off to a strong start in the final period, but their early chances went unrewarded as Modelski turned aside five shots in the first three minutes. Penalty trouble soon followed for Corpus Christi, and the Rhinos dangerous power play cashed in for the second time when Ian Kastamo buried a rebound to give El Paso its first lead of the night, 3-2. The Rhinos extended their lead just over four minutes later as their fifth power play expired, with a shot deflecting off the skate of Gage Giblin and past Miceli to make it 4-2.

Corpus Christi struggled to generate offense down the stretch, managing little with just under half a period remaining, as Modelski finished the night with 31 saves. The Rhinos closed out the series opener with a 4-2 victory.

NEXT SERIES

The IceRays and Rhinos clash in the series finale tomorrow night at the El Paso County Event Center with puck drop at 8:00 p.m. CT. Tune in to the games on NAHLtv or listen on the Retro Radio CC. The pregame show kicks off 15 minutes prior to puck drop.

NEXT HOME SERIES

Corpus Christi returns to the Hilliard Center February 6 & 7 when they host the New Mexico Ice Wolves in a two-game weekend series. The weekend is headlined by Stars and Stripes Night on Saturday where all Veterans, Active-Duty Military, First Responders, and their family's get in free! Up to four free tickets when you show your ID at the Hilliard Center Box Office. Stars and Stripes Night is presented by the U.S.S Lexington Museum and IBEW 278!

Check out the Corpus Christi IceRays Statistics

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2026


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