Rayz Beat Bees 5-3, Within Four Points Of Playoff Spot

March 2, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Three special teams goals and a three-point afternoon by Justin Quenneville helped lead the Corpus Christi Rayz over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 5-3 to snap their 6-game losing streak. The win pulled the Rayz within four points of the Austin Ice Bats and two points of the Amarillo Gorillas in the race for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Jason Tapp was also big for Corpus Christi after coming on in relief for Kevin Couture, who was taken out of the game early in the first period to an undisclosed injury. The Rayz continue their four-game homestand and continue their fight towards the postseason with home games Friday night at 7:05pm vs. the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and Saturday Night at 8:05pm vs the Odessa Jackalopes. Tickets are on sale for both games. For more info, call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

The Killer Bees struck first. 7:00 minutes into the first period. Jeremy Van Hoof stole a Rayz' pass and and found the top right corner of the net to take a 1-0 lead. The shorthanded goal came unassisted. The Rayz tied things up just 44 seconds later when Justin Quenneville scored a powerplay goal while being tugged to the Ice. That goal also came unassisted. The score stayed tied 1-1 going into the first intermission.

Just as in the first period, the Bees were the first ones to score again in the second period. Lance Herauf scored his 14th goal of the year will helpers from Mark O'Leary and Jason Weitzel at 5:54. Under two minutes later at 7:29, Chris Shaffer scored the equalizer as he shot a puck that deflected off Rio Grande defenseman Jeremy Van Hoff and into the net. Assists came from Kevin Watters and Adam Hogg as the Rayz tied the game at two apiece. The Rayz would take the lead on a powerplay goal by Joe Blaznek with feeds from Justin Quenneville and Nick Lindberg at 16:01.

Corpus Christi extended their lead on a shorthanded goal at 10:48 in the third. Justin Quenneville broke away from traffic and tallied from the high slot after a terrific save from Jason Tapp kept the Rayz leading. However Rio Grande Valley would inch closer at 14:14. Danny Lapointe slammed home a loose puck in front of the Rayz net with an assist from Dennis Maxewell. The Rayz closed the scoring with an empty net goal by Adam Hogg.

The Rayz were outshot by the Bees 42-30. Corpus Christi went 2 for 7 on the powerplay and Rio Grande Valley went 0 for 4. Jason Tapp earned the win for the Rayz, improving to 18-25-6, and made 35 saves on 38 shots. Kevin Couture made 4 saves on 4 shots, but did not figure into the decision. The Bees goaltender A.J. Bucchino made 25 saves on 29 shots, suffering the loss and falling to 3-5.

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 March 2, 2008


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