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Power outage

February 19, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX – The Power Play live up to its name Thursday night for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. The Bees converted three power play opportunities for the second straight game as they went on to beat the Corpus Christi Rayz 3-2 to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.

Special teams were the story in the Bees fourth straight win over the Rayz as four of the game's five goals came with a man advantage. The Killer Bees went three for eight on the power play, while the Rayz went one for two.

The Killer Bees scored first on a four on three man advantage when Kevin Mackie set up at the top of the right circle and took a pass from Bill Newson. With time and space to spare, Mackie blistered a slapshot past Rayz goaltender Greg Hewitt. Mackie's 5th goal of the season was the first of three Rio Grande Valley power play goals.

The Rayz clawed back in the second period as Ken Richardson continued his hot streak by redirecting a Paul Dunphy shot on the power play and scoring in his fourth straight game. In that span, Richardson has six goals. His 13th goal of the season on the power play was assisted by Dunphy and Matt Medvecz.

The teams went into the third period tied at one, and that's when the Killer Bees put the game out of reach. The Bees scored early in the period off a power play that overlapped from the end of the first period and Troy Linna was able to beat Hewitt who came out of his net to play the puck when it caromed off a stick and into the net. Just four and a half minutes later, Matic Kralj got another power play goal to make the score 3-1 Rio Grande Valley.

The Rayz came back with a late goal in the game, but it was too late as it came with only five seconds left in the contest. Richardson slid the puck off the stick of Dunphy and past Jacque Vezina for the only even strength goal of the game.

Hewitt was remarkable once again for the Rayz, making 43 saves in defeat and made 40 or more saves for the third consecutive game. The Killer Bees victory prevented the Rayz (18-29-3) from winning three in a row for the first time since the first week of November. The Killer Bees, who own the final playoff spot in the South, increased their lead over 5th place Austin to 11 points by getting a point in their eighth game out of the last nine.

Before the game, the Rayz signed veteran forward Joe Cardarelli, who made his debut with the Rayz Thursday night. In order for him to be placed on the roster, changes had to be made. Rayz forward Dan Shermerhorn who was on 14-day injured reserved with a thumb injury that required surgery was placed on season ending IR, and Rayz defenseman/forward Mike Rodrigues was also placed on 14-day IR with an undisclosed injury.

The Rayz play again Friday night against the CHL leading Laredo Bucks. It will mark the final time this season that the Bucks will come to Corpus Christi. It is also the Rayz last home game before going on the road for four straight. Good seats are still available, but going fast. Call 814-PUCK for more ticket information. The Rayz and the Killer Bees will meet four more times this season, including Saturday night in Rio Grande Valley. The game Saturday night can be heard on 1150 am KCCT.

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