IceRays Week in Review

Published on November 18, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


ICERAYS REWIND: The IceRays shook off two losses on Thursday and Friday against the Laredo Bucks to come from behind Saturday and beat the Austin Ice Bats 6-5 in a thrilling overtime affair that snapped Austin's 10-game winning streak to open the season. 42 seconds into the extra frame, John Sicinski (Mississauga, ONT) slipped a pass from the left-wing corner to a wide open Shaun Fairweather (London, ONT) who tipped it home by the dive of Austin goalie Matt Barnes for the game-winning goal. The goal capped off a career night for Fairweather and unquestionably the most exciting game at Memorial Coliseum this season. Trailing 3-2 heading into the 3rd period, the IceRays got goals from Sicinksi and Ken Richardson (Peace Rivar, ALB) on the power play 3:45 seconds apart to take a 4-3 lead, their first of the night. Yet the Ice Bats wouldn't go down quietly as they quickly regained the lead 2:53 seconds later on an even-strength and shorthanded tally from Kelly Smart to take a 5-4 lead with just 11:36 remaining in regulation. The IceRays were far from done getting the equalizer just 34 seconds later when Matt Munro (London, ONT) on the power play picked up a loose puck in the high slot and beat an out of position Barnes to the glove side to tie the game again at 5 and send it into overtime setting up Fairweather's dramatics. The contest featured 5 ties and 3 lead changes before Fairweather sent the "Igloo" crowd of 3453 home happy. To add to his game-winner, Fairweather added 4 assists for his first 5-point game of his professional career. The IceRays continued their success on the power play scoring 4 goals with the man advantage, and held the Ice Bats to just 1 power play goal on 6 tries. Thursday and Friday the Laredo Bucks swept a pair of games from the Rays winning 5-4 Thursday at the Laredo Entertainment Center and 6-4 Friday at Memorial Coliseum. The Bucks went 6-14 on the power play in the two-game set, and turned to their top line of Eric Schneider, Dave Gilmore, and Chris Grenville once a gain to lead them to victory. Schneider continued to torment the Rays with 3 goals (7 in 5 games vs. CC) and 2 assists, while Grenville added a goal and 5 assists and Gilmore recorded a goal and 4 assists. Including Dave Gove, the Bucks first line has 31 points against the IceRays in 7 games. After losing the first two games, Laredo now leads the season series 3-2. The IceRays and Bucks don't meet again until December 28th.

TRIGGER HAPPY: The 6 goals scored on Saturday vs. Austin tied a season high for goals scored. The IceRays also scored 6 goals at Odessa on 10/26/02. The four goals scored after the second period were also a season high. Prior to the game the Rays had been outscored 20-14 heading into the final period and 15-5 in 7 of their last 8 games.

...BUT WHERE'S THE D?: After holding their opponents to 3 goals or less in the first 4 games of the season, the IceRays have given up more than 3 goals 7 times in their last 9 games (2-7 record). The Rays have been outscored 44-31 in this recent 9 game stretch giving up almost 5 goals per game. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN: Forward Ken Richardson was named the IceRays captain for the 2002-03 season on Thursday in Laredo. It's quite an honor for Richardson who has never worn the "C" in his 6-year professional career. Richardson had a goal and an assist Saturday night vs. Austin. He is 8th on the club in scoring with 7 goals and an assist.

FIVE ALIVE: Shaun Fairweather's five point outing Saturday (1 goal, 4 assists) was the first of his professional career and the first five point game for an IceRay since Layne Roland scored 5 goals on 1/23/02 at Tingley Coliseum in New Mexico. Fairweather's five points in a game this season is second highest in the CHL behind Dave Gove of Laredo who recorded 6 points against the IceRays on 11/1/02.

HOT AND COLD: IceRays special teams have been the biggest mystery through the first 13 games of the season. The Rays power play is tops in the league by a wide margin at 26.7% (23-86) The 23 power play goals scored rank third highest in the CHL behind Laredo (24) and San Angelo (24). Saturday against the league's top penalty kill in Austin, the IceRays went 4-10. The Bats had given up just 3 power play goals in 10 games coming into the contest, but the IceRays showed no sympathy scoring 4 in a little under 50 minutes. Meanwhile the penalty kill ranks last in the CHL at a woeful 72.8% (75-103). This weekend the IceRays' PK gave up 7 power play goals on 20 chances (65%), though it was a much-improved 5-6 against Austin.

"ICERAYS MONDAY" ROLLS ON: "IceRays Monday" continues tonight from 5PM-6PM on ESPN Radio 1230AM KSIX. The Voice of the IceRays Dan Weiss hosts the show each and every Monday, and is joined by IceRays Head Coach Al Sims and several IceRays players. Today Dan will be joined in-studio by forward Shaun Fairweather at 5:30PM following Coach Sims. "IceRays Monday" is looking to go on the road every Monday to get fans integrated with what the show has to offer. If you or someone you know is interested in hosting the show, please contact Dan Weiss at (361) 814-7825 or Bill Durner at (361) 814-3800.

UP NEXT: The IceRays and Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs will tangle for the first time this season when the IceRays travel to the Century Tel Center Thursday for a 7:05PM match-up. The Rays will return home the following night for the front-end of a home-and-home series with the Austin Ice Bats at Memorial Coliseum at 7:05PM. The two teams travel to Austin for the re-match Saturday night at the Travis County Expo Center at 7:30PM. All games can be heard on 104.5FM The Octopus with Dan Weiss and Rick Dames, or on the Internet at www.icerays.com and www.sportsjuice.com. Broadcast time begins at 7PM on Thursday and Friday and 7:30PM Saturday with the "American Tire and Wheel Pre-game Show."

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2002


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