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NAHL Corpus Christi IceRays

IceRays Win Crucial Game in Shootout Over Texas 5-4

March 23, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Anthony Stolarz stopped 38 shots, and Beau Walker notched the game winning goal in the sixth round of the shoot-out propelling the Corpus Christi IceRays to a 5-4 win over the Texas Tornado in front of 5,110 fans in the American Bank Center on Friday night.

Texas kicked off the scoring in the first period just 6:51 into the game as Skyler Spiller took a rebound off the right leg pad of Anthony Stolarz and notched his third goal of the year for a 1-0 Tornado lead.

Corpus Christi fell behind 2-0 on a power-play courtesy of Mark Biggs. A shot by Biggs from the point deflected and went over the shoulder of Stolarz at the 9:54 mark of period one.

The IceRays stormed back to tie the game in a matter of seconds. On a five-on-three power-play advantage, Eric Purcell rifled a shot top-shelf on Texas goaltender Frederick Leisner 13:08 into the first pulling Corpus Christi within a goal.

Just 16 seconds later Joe Smereck, still on the power-play, took a pass from Perry D'Arrisso and tied the game with his 12th of the year with 6:36 left in the opening frame.

After the first period, the two squads were deadlocked at two apiece.

Corpus Christi took their first lead of the night only 2:10 into the second period as Jonathan Grebosky slid a puck out to a wide open Brandon Smith and the IceRays led 3-2.

Texas came right back with a goal of their own just 2:11 after the IceRays took the lead. Alex Temby's 2nd strike of the season tied the game at three.

Danny Fetzer then forced an interception and put the brakes on inside the right wing circle. He fired a shot top shelf on the short side of Leisner to once again give the home town team a one goal lead, 4-3 with 11:52 left in the game.

On a power-play the Tornado forced overtime thanks to Jackson Leef who beat Stolarz with only 5:22 left in the game.

After no scoring in overtime, Beau Walker won the game for the IceRays in a shoot-out during the sixth round picking up two crucial points.

Anthony Stolarz stopped 38 of 42 shots in the win.

The IceRays host Texas tomorrow night in the final home game of the season. Puck drops at 7:45PM, coverage begins at 7:30PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on ESPN Radio 1440AM.

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