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Rayz begin 13th straight week in first place

February 9, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Week in Review: ItÂ’s become routine for the Corpus Christi Rayz to start a week on top of their division, however thereÂ’s nothing routine about the way theyÂ’ve continually done it week after week. On Tuesday, the Rayz began their 13th straight week in first place in the Southeast Division after a 1-1 weekend against last yearÂ’s PresidentÂ’s Cup finalists. Corpus Christi won their second ever game in Laredo on Saturday night after opening the weekend with a loss at home against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Friday. With 49 points, Corpus Christi has a two point lead over the second place Austin Ice Bats and a five point advantage over the Laredo Bucks.

Corpus Christi began their two-game weekend, hosting the Mudbugs on Friday night for the second time this season. The Rayz fell behind 3-0 after two periods of play, however made a game of it in the third period. Derrick McIver and Ryan Carter scored goals 57 seconds apart inside the opening two minutes of the final period to close the gap to one. Less than a minute after the Rayz second tally, with momentum on the side of the Rayz, Corpus Christi forward Clark Udle laid a thunderous hit on Mudbugs forward Dan Wildfong. With a delayed penalty already coming against the Rayz a line brawl ensued, and after the penalties were sorted out, referee Paul DePuydt had called a five-minute power play for the Mudbugs. On the major penalty kill, the Rayz surrendered their second power play goal of the game and were never able to regain their momentum. The 4-2 loss to the Mudbugs snapped the Rayz two-game winning streak, and the Mudbugs became the first team to beat the Rayz twice at the American Bank Center.

With Laredo and Austin within striking distance, the Rayz set themselves up for a huge match-up on Saturday night in Laredo. The Rayz and the Bucks are currently in the middle of a three-game series with one another, and Saturday nightÂ’s contest was the opener. The two highest scoring teams in the Southern Conference came out in an unconventional, defensive hockey game and not many scoring chances came for either team. The Rayz had their best opportunity to break onto the scoresheet when they had a two-man advantage power play for 1:22 in the second period. However, Jeremy Symington turned away six Rayz shot son the power play, including several highlight reel saves. The Rayz and Bucks went almost all of regulation without finding the back of the net, until Rayz rookie Ken McKay stepped up as the hero. McKay put in his own rebound with under two minutes remaining in the game to break the scoreless tie and give the Rayz their biggest win of the season. Rayz goaltender Brent Zelenewich made 27 saves, earning the first shutout for the Rayz this season. The win was just the second for the Rayz all-time at the Laredo Entertainment Center, and evened the season series at 4-4 with the Bucks.

Corpus Christi travelled back to Laredo on Tuesday night to play game two of the three-game set, and another low scoring affair came down to the wire. After most of the first two periods remained tied, the Bucks took the lead in the third period and added an empty net goal for a 3-1 win. Zelenewich once again was outstanding in defeat, making 35 saves on 37 shots. The Rayz now host the Bucks on Friday night with a chance to take two of three straight from the defending PresidentÂ’s Cup Champions. The Rayz will cap the weekend with their first meeting of the year with the Amarillo Gorillas. The Gorillas currently have 48 points on the season, and are fighting for playoff positioning. The top five teams in the Southern Conference are separated by three points, and only four teams will make the playoffs.

This WeekÂ’s Schedule: Tuesday, February 8th @ Laredo Bucks L 3-1

Friday, February 11th vs. Laredo Bucks 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 12th vs. Amarillo Gorillas 7:00 pm

Last WeekÂ’s Results: Friday, February 4th vs. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs L 4-2

Saturday, February 5th @ Laredo Bucks W 1-0

All Rayz home games are played at the American Bank Center. All games will be broadcast live on the flagship station of the Corpus Christi Rayz - 103.7 FM KOUL and online at the Rayz website - www.ccrayz.com. All home games, along with select road games, are available for viewing on the internet at www.chltv.com.

Practice Schedule: The Rayz will have a light pre-game skate practice from 9:30-10:00am on Tuesday at the Champion Toyota Ice Center at the Memorial Coliseum. WednesdayÂ’s practice schedule is TBD, and Thursday morning the Rayz will practice at 10:00am at the American Bank Center. The Rayz will have pre-game skates at the American Bank Center Friday and Saturday lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Winning Touch

Rayz Rookie forward Ken McKay has found the key to beating the Bucks in Laredo. In the two games the Rayz have won all-time at the Laredo Entertainment Center, McKay has scored the game winning goal. His goal with 1:50 left in the game Saturday night was the lone tally in a 1-0 Rayz win. McKay has 17 goals and 27 points in 36 games this season.

Bucks, Bucks and More Bucks

The Rayz play the Bucks twice this week to conclude a three games in a row set with Laredo. The Rayz have an opportunity to beat Laredo in the season series for the first time in franchise history. The Rayz currently have a 4-5 record against Laredo this year. Tuesday nightÂ’s 3-1 loss was the Rayz final visit to Laredo of the regular season. Corpus Christi has already assured winning records against Austin and Rio Grande Valley for the season, and five points in the final three games against the Bucks would give Corpus Christi a winning record against each division opponent.

What a Difference a Year Makes

The Corpus Christi Rayz 1-0 defeat of the Laredo Bucks Saturday night gave the Rayz 49 points for the season in 42 games. The equals the point total from all of last season when the Rayz compiled a 23-38-3 record in 64 games. The Rayz currently are one win shy from 23 wins this year. Last season the Rayz leading point scorer, Mike Tilson, had 34 points. This season, in just over two thirds of the year, already six players have 32 or more points with Greg Bullock leading the team and conference with 59 points. Last seasonÂ’s high in goals was 16. This year five players already have 15 or more goals with Jason Baird leading the team at 25 goals scored.

ItÂ’s Been A While

Saturday NightÂ’s 1-0 win for Corpus Christi was their first ever in regulation. There had been one other 1-0 victory in Rayz/IceRays history. The last 1-0 Rayz victory came on November 20, 1998 in the 19th game in franchise history. Corpus Christi beat Odessa 1-0 in a shootout at Odessa. Dave Shute scored the game winning goal in the first round of a shootout. Jason Genik had 32 saves. The Rayz had gone 424 games and 2,269 days without a 1-0 victory since that game.

Pressure Players

The Corpus Christi Rayz have elevated their play this season when games come down to the wire. Of the 42 games played this season, the Rayz have been in 16 one-goal contests, and they have the highest winning percentage in the CHL in those games. The Rayz are an outstanding 10-1-5 in one-goal games and three of those overtime losses have come in a shootout.

Blanked

Rayz goaltender Brent Zelenewich made 27 saves against the Bucks for the first shutout win of the season for Corpus Christi. The shutout was the first game this season for Corpus Christi in which either team had been held off the scoresheet, and was the first Rayz shutout victory in over a calendar year. Strangely enough, the last shutout for the Rayz came on December 13, 2003 in a 2-0 win over the Laredo Bucks at the Memorial Coliseum. Former Rayz goaltender Brent Belecki made 43 saves for the Rayz.

Derrick Does it Again

With points in both games over last weekend, Rayz rookie forward Derrick McIver has now registered points in six of his last seven games. McIver had 23 goals this year and has added 11 assists for 34 points on the season and leads all Southern Conference rookies in scoring.

This Week in the Community: On Saturday, before the Rayz game versus the Amarillo Gorillas, the Sting Team and team mascot, Stinger Ray will be at Half Price Books in Moore plaza from 1:00-3:00pm for the Driscoll ChildrenÂ’s Hospital Book Drive.

On Saturday night, the Rayz action doesnÂ’t have to stop when the game ends. Rayz players Chad McIver, Mark Jackson and Sam Miller will be available for autographs and pictures at the Team Store inside the American Bank Center. The players will be singing any Rayz memorabilia or apparel that fans would like autographed. Then, fans have the opportunity to join the team for a post-game party at Knuckleheads Bar in downtown Corpus Christi.

This Week at the Champion Toyota Ice Center at Memorial Coliseum: Public Skating is available this week at the Champion Toyota Ice Center at the Memorial Coliseum. For information, session times and fees, please call (361)879-0795.

Rayz Next Home Game: The Rayz return to Corpus Christi Friday night to host the Laredo Bucks on Texas Lottery MenÂ’s Night. All male fans 18 and older will receive discounted tickets, starting at just $8(plus a $1.50 facility fee). Fans will have the opportunity to receive FREE lottery tickets and one lucky fan will receive a trip for two to Las Vegas. The Rayz will cap off their three-game set with the evil Laredo Bucks on Friday Night at 7:00pm. Then on Saturday night, the Rayz host the Amarillo Gorillas for the first time this season. The game begins at 7:00pm, but get there early, because the first 500 kids will receive a souvenir Rayz puck, courtesy of Champion Chevrolet. One lucky couple will receive a romantic ValentineÂ’s Day getaway vacation at the game. Plus, stick around after the game for an autograph session with the Rayz at the Team Store inside the American Bank Center. Regular priced tickets start as low as $10(plus a $1.50 facility fee). All tickets are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK or visit the Rayz online at www.ccrayz.com.

Season Record: 22-16-5 (49 points) Home Record: 12-6-1 (25 points) Away Record: 10-10-4 (24 points)

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