Rayz bat down Austin in OT

Published on January 30, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Sunday afternoon's Corpus Christi Rayz and Austin Ice Bats contest was dubbed as the most important game of the season, and an intense rivalry that pitted two fierce teams against each other. It delivered. Jason Baird scored 3:23 into overtime as the Rayz held off the Bats and won 4-3 in the extra frame to remain in sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division and move into a tie for the Southern Conference lead.

With first-place on the line and visions of a line brawl and 162 total penalty minutes in their last meeting fresh in their minds, the physical play between the Rayz and the Ice Bats started early. Just half a minute into the contest, the Rayz' Clark Udle and Dallas Anderson lined up next to each other off a faceoff and dropped the gloves, setting the tone for an intense battle. In a period, mostly controlled by the Rayz, Corpus Christi finally broke through at the 13:38 mark of the opening period, when Ryan Carter scored on a two-man advantage. With a lot of ice to work with Jason Baird walked out of the right corner and fed a pass through the top of the crease to Carter who was camped out at the left side of the crease and one-timed the puck into the net. The Rayz outshot the Bats 13-6 in the opening period and the teams left the ice after one with the Rayz ahead 1-0.

In the second period, both teams came out of the locker rooms skating with authority and the first two minutes led to back and forth chances for both clubs. However, it was Austin getting on the board first in the middle frame when Jeff Neufeld scored 2:04 into the period after he collected his own rebound from the slot and shot it over an outstretched Josh Blackburn. The Rayz, who have responded quickly to opposing goals all season, did it again when Frank Werner scored his first goal since December 5th to give the Rayz a 2-1 lead 23 seconds after Austin got on the board. Austin, however, continued their strong second period play and pulled even once again at the 7:19 mark of the frame. After Blackburn made two incredible saves on Jared Dumba, the puck squirmed loose in the crease and Mike Mohr jammed it home for a 2-2 tie. Austin took their first lead of the game late in the period when Dallas Anderson was left untouched in the slot on an Ice Bats power play, and John McNabb found hi with the puck. Anderson beat Blackburn to give Austin a 3-2 lead. Before the period came to an end, the Rayz would answer yet again, making Austin's lead short lived. Dave Gilmore took a feed from Jason Baird from behind the net and stuffed it short side on Barnes to tie the game up heading into the third.

After a scoreless third period, the teams went to overtime where Jason Baird stepped up as the hero for the Rayz. 3:23 into overtime the Rayz broke into the zone and Jay Hardwick found Baird as the trailer. Bair moved in on Barnes and beat the Austin goaltender for the game-winning goal, securing the 11th straight week that the Rayz would finish in first place in the division. The Rayz improved to 21-14-5, and finished their four-game week over .500 with a 2-1-1 record. They lead the Ice Bats by two points in the division and the Laredo Bucks by nine. Josh Blackburn earned his seventh victory in his last eight starts, in his first game since January 16th. The Rayz were 2 for 6 on the power play and Austin was 1 for 5. The Bats out shot the Rayz 33-30.

The Rayz now have will return home to Corpus Christi when they host the Bossier Shreveport Mudbugs on Friday, February 4th for Ladies Night. All female fans 18 and older will receive discounted tickets, starting at just $8. 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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2005


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