Rays Report: We're Coming Home
Published on November 29, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release
LAST WEEK: Corpus Christi concluded their season-long, seven-game road trip with three games in three days over the weekend. The IceRays went 2-1-0 on the weekend and finished their road trip with an overall 4-3-0 mark. In case you missed it, here is what happened this past weekend.
Game #1, W, Corpus Christi 4-2 Wichita Falls - On Friday, Newly acquired forward Jordan Miller tallied two third period goals as the Corpus Christi IceRays won their third straight road game, 4-2, over the Wichita Falls Wildcats at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. Michael Benedict and Jonathan Sdao had the other tallies for the IceRays as Pheonix Copley collected his third win in as many starts in between the pipes.
Game #2, L, Corpus Christi 0-5 Texas - On Saturday, for the second meeting in a row, the Texas Tornado used a strong offensive surge coupled with solid goaltending to shutout the Corpus Christi IceRays, 5-0, at the Dr Pepper Arena.
Game #3, W, Corpus Christi 3-2 Texas (OT) - On Sunday afternoon, it took an overtime period, but the Corpus Christi IceRays found a way to defeat the division-leading Texas Tornado, 3-2, at the Dr Pepper Arena. Michael Benedict's team-leading 13th goal in the extra session proved to be the difference as the team concluded their seven-game road trip with four victories. Marco Wieser was stellar in between the pipes making 38 saves while Sam Cheraso and Ryan Gauthier (1-1-2) chipped in with goals for the Rays. Gauthier's third-period goal was the first of his NAHL career.
AROUND THE SOUTH DIVISION: Corpus Christi currently sits fifth in the South Division with a record of 11-12-2 (24 points).
ICERAYS LEADERS:
GOALS: Michael Benedict, 13
ASSISTS: Beau Walker, 18
POINTS: Beau Walker, 26
PLUS/MINUS: Mychal Monteith, +19 (+2 w/ Corpus Christi)
PENALTY MINUTES: Brandon Marshall, 118
SHOTS: Michael Benedict, 74
WINS: Pheonix Copley, 6
GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE: Pheonix Copley, 3.49
SAVE PERCENTAGE: Pheonix Copley, .906
TRANSACTION REPORT: It was a busy week for the IceRays as they made one trade, released three players, and signed two forwards to the roster. First, the IceRays struck a deal for defenseman Mychal Monteith from St. Louis for forward Kevin Crowe. Second, the team released defenseman Nikita Kardashev, defenseman Luc Neitenbach, and forward Derrek Schartz. Finally, the team added forwards Jordan Miller and Ryan Gauthier.
BEAU'S A TOP-20 GUY: Beau Walker (West Richland, WA) is tied for 18th in the NAHL in scoring with 26 points through 25 games this season. In addition, Walker is tied for fifth around the NAHL with 11 power-play assists.
NEW PLAYERS MAKE AN IMPACT: The three new additions to the Corpus Christi lineup each made an impact in their first weekend with the team. On Friday night, Jordan Miller scored two goals including the game-winner while Mychal Monteith had an assist. On Sunday, Ryan Gauthier assisted on the opening goal of the game and then added a tally of his own in the third period to give the IceRays the lead. Gauthier finished the weekend 1-1-2 (+2), Monteith was 0-1-1 (+2), and Miller was 2-0-2 (+1). Each newcomer played all three games for the team.
BENEDICT COMES UP BIG: Michael Benedict scored an overtime game-winning goal on Sunday afternoon against the Texas Tornado to give the IceRays their first victory over the Tornado this season. It was his second game-winning goal on the road trip as he previously tallied the deciding goal on November 19, 2010 against the New Mexico Mustangs in a 2-1 victory.
EXTRA SAUCEY: Defenseman Colton Saucerman has revitalized the Corpus Christi defense corps through his first eight games with the team. Although he has yet to tally a goal, the Colorado Springs, Colorado native has six assists while logging the most minutes per game for the team.
CHERASO BREAKS OUT: Sam Cheraso tallied his first goal in 11 games played on Sunday against the Texas Tornado to give the IceRays a 1-0 lead. It was his first goal since October 10, 2010 against the New Mexico Mustangs. On the season Cheraso has eight goals and five assists for 13 points.
THE '303' LINE: On Friday and Saturday Corpus Christi unveiled the '303' featuring three forwards from the '303' area code in Colorado. The line consisted of Jake Diamond, Jonathan Sdao, and Ryan Gauthier. The line was split up on Sunday with Beau Walker scratched due to an ankle injury.
THREE TOP PROSPECTS: Corpus Christi will be well represented at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament held in Walpole, MA from Dec 5-7. Forwards Beau Walker and Michael Benedict will join defenseman Kyle Hughes on "Team Rafalski" for the showcase.
I'LL BE GONE TILL NOVEMBER: Corpus Christi was on the road for the majority of November on a seven-game road trip. It was the longest road trip of the season. The Rays went 4-3-0 on the road trip and was 5-4-0 for the entire month.
A STRONG SHOWING AT THE SHOWCASE: Corpus Christi announced their arrival into the NAHL with a 3-1-0 record at the NAHL Showcase held in Blaine, MN on Sept. 15-18, 2010. For more information visit http://www.nahltopprospects.com/.
LARGEST SINGLE-GAME CROWD IN THE NAHL: On Saturday October 23, 2010, Corpus Christi set the benchmark for attendance in the NAHL with a crowd of 5,912 watching the team battle the Texas Tornado. It was Military Appreciation Night at the American Bank Center which honored various law enforcement and military personnel and their families at the game.
ATTENDANCE IS TOPS IN THE LEAGUE: Corpus Christi leads the entire NAHL with an average attendance of 3,250 fans per game. Through 10 games (8 at the American Bank Center), over 32 Thousand fans have watched the IceRays at home in their first season in the league.
WHAT'S ON TAP? The team returns to the American Bank Center for two games this weekend against the Amarillo Bulls on Friday and Saturday. Both games start at 7:05 PM. Fans can listen to all the action with the voice of the IceRays, Ryan Holt, beginning 15 minutes prior to the game on the Rays flagship station, News/Talk 1440 AM KEYS. The game is available for free online at www.1440KEYS.com or on the league's pay-per-view website, www.fasthockey.com. Be sure to get your tickets now by calling the IceRays front office at 361.814.PUCK (7825) or crash the net at www.goicerays.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2010
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- Wichita Falls Wildcats' Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Rays Report: We're Coming Home - Corpus Christi IceRays
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