Jackalopes edge Rayz, 2-1

March 4, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Odessa, TX – Coming into their first of two meetings in three night's contest, the Corpus Christi Rayz had not won in seven games. The Odessa Jackalopes had points in four straight. On Friday night, both streaks remained intact, as the Rayz outshot and and outplayed the Jackalopes, but fell 2-1 at the Ector County Coliseum. The Rayz remain with 55 points on the year in third place in the Southeast Division.

The Rayz got on the board first and when Dave Gilmore took a Jason Baird feed in the slot and ripped a shot off the glove of Derek Dolson and into the net. Dolson got a piece of the shot, but it landed and rolled into the net for Gilmore's 16th goal of the year to give the Rayz a 1-0 lead. The Rayz maintained the lead throughout most of the first period, however could not add to their advantage and Odessa tied it up late in the period. Joel Irving skated the puck from his own blueline into the Rayz zone and after being pushed to the outside let a backhand go that slid through the legs of Josh Blackburn to tie the score. Irving's goal was his seventh of the year and sent the teams to the locker room tied at one.

In the second period, the Rayz had three power play chances and set the offensive tone, but could not solve Dolson. The Rayz outshot the Jackalopes 11-6 and on three different occasions hit the goal post with shots. The score remained 1-1 heading into the third period for the second straight night.

In the third period, the Jackalopes took their first lead of the game on a power play. Donnie Margettie fluttered a puck past Blackburn from the bottom of the slot after he took a pass from Sebastien Thinel in the corner. Margettie's goal gave the Jackalopes the lead and they held off a charging Rayz team down the stretch for the 2-1 win. For the fifth time in their eight-game winless streak, the Rayz outshot their opponents but came up short on the scoreboard. The Rayz scored just one goal for the fourth consecutive game. The Rayz went 0 for 6 on the power play and the Jackalopes went 1 for 5.

The Rayz will have Saturday night off, while the Jackalopes host the San Angelo Saints, before traveling to Corpus Christi.

The Rayz Jackalopes two-game set will return to Corpus Christi on Whataburger/Caller-Times Family Day at 5:00pm Sunday afternoon presented by the Planet 102.3FM. Every adult ticket comes with two free children's tickets. Tickets start as low as $10 and are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central