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Late Power Plays Key Mudbugs Win Over Rayz 5-4

February 21, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Bossier Shreveport Mudbugs scored four power play goals on 12 opportunities including the game-winner in the final minute on the club's third two-man advantage of the game. The Corpus Christi Rayz, who never trailed in the hockey game until the Bugs second five-on-three goal, were given three power plays, including none in the final period. The Mudbugs were able to cash in on two of their four PP chances in the close game's final five and a half minutes. The Rayz remained two points behind the Amarillo Gorillas for the final playoff spot in the South. The Rayz loss dropped them to 17-26-6 on the year. The Rayz return to the American Bank Center on Friday Night at 8:05pm for Pack the House For Charity Night vs. the Laredo Bucks. Tickets are available, but going fast. Come help this great cause by attending a hockey game at a great price. For more information please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

The Rayz erupted in the opening period, bursting out of the gates for a 3-0 lead. Joe Blaznek got the surge started on the first shot of the game 1:48 into the contest. Blaznek picked off a Ryan Fairbarn pass in the Bugs zone and shoveled a backhand shot of the post and in, beating John DeCaro. Corpus Christi then made it 2-0 when Justin Quenneville sent Jay Latullippe streaking behind the Bugs defense at 6:57. Latulippe made a move on DeCaro and slipped the puck past the netminder to extend the Rayz lead. Latulippe then scored his second of the night capping a three-on-two rush with a rebound of his own shot at 10:12. The Rayz scored three goals on their first five shots. However, the Bugs got on the board late in the frame. Elias Godoy beat Kevin Couture high glove side from the bottom of the left circle at 16:58 to cut the Rayz lead to 3-1. The Bugs outshot the Rayz 16-9 in the opening period.

The Bugs pulled even in the second on a pair of power play goals. At 14:20 Chris Brassard ripped a slapshot from the right circle that beat Couture who had lost his stick earlier in the play. Then, in the final minute of the period, on a two-man advantage, Joe Ori slammed home a shot from just outside the crease to tie the score at 3-3 at 19:17. The Bugs outshot the Rayz 22-2 in the second period and the game went into the third period tied.

In the third period, the onslaught of penalties down the stretch against the Rayz took center stage. Quenneville made it 4-3 on a Rayz shorthanded tally, before the Bucks closed the game on four straight power plays to rally for the tie and win.

Couture made 46 saves on 51 shots and took the loss, dropping to 0-5-1. DeCaro got the win with 14 saves on 18 shots. His record jumped to 21-5-3. Corpus Christi went 0-3 on the power play and Bossier-Shreveport was 4-12 on the man advantage. The Bugs outshot the Rayz 51-18.

The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade of hockey in South Texas. Individual game tickets are currently available. Get your Rayz tickets today at www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet or the American Bank Center. Rayz group discounts are also available. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2008


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