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Rayz can't get monkey off their back

February 22, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz threw everything they had at the net Tuesday night and Amarillo Gorillas goaltender, Daniel Boisclair through most of it back at them. Boisclair made 41 saves – most of them highlight reel – to keep the Gorillas ahead for most of the game and led them to an eventual 3-2 win over the Rayz. The Rayz played their fourth straight game without a win, but remain in first place in the Southeast Division with 55 points and a one point lead over the Austin Ice Bats.

For the second straight meeting between these two teams, the home team jumped out to an early lead. 3:45 into the game, Scott Wray found a loose puck in the crease while he was lying face down after being knocked down. From his stomach he slid the puck underneath Rayz goaltender Brent Zelenewich and gave the Gorillas the 1-0 lead. Just 27 seconds later, the Gorillas increased their advantage to two. Mark DeSantis ripped a slapshot from the left point that went wide of the net, but sprung off the end wall boards and right to Derek Hahn waiting at the right circle. Hahn took the rebound and one-timed it past Zelenewich for his 22nd goal and 61st point of the season. Zelenewich was pulled after that goal, closing the books on the Rayz netminder who made four saves on six Gorillas shots. Josh Blackburn came on in relief and closed the door the rest of the period and the Gorillas sakted off with a 2-0 lead. The Rayz outshot the Gorillas 15-9.

In the second period, it was the Rayz once again outchancing the Gorillas for the majority of the period. Corpus Christi came out and outshot Amarillo 10-2 to start the period, but remained off the scoreboard thanks to the spectacular play of goaltender Daniel Boisclair. Boisclair, who came on in relief in the first meeting with the Rayz to make 20 saves on 20 shots and lead the Gorillas comeback, once again stymied the Rayz time after time. Corpus Christi had several point blank quality chances that somehow Boisclair was able to keep out. He shut the Rayz out through 35 minutes, until Derrick McIver redirected a Dave Gilmore pass underneath his pads to finally get the Rayz on the board. Gilmore dug the puck out of the right corner and hit McIver with a rink-wide pass for the youngster's CHL rookie leading 25th goal of the year. After the Rayz goal, cut the Gorillas lead to 2-1, Amarillo came back with their best offensive attack since early in the hockey game. Blackburn, however, stood his ground and remained perfect to keep the score 2-1 Amarillo at the end of two periods. The Rayz outshot the Gorillas 14-10 in the second period.

In the third period, the teams traded goals early in the frame. Wray got his second goal of the night on a redirection 1:03 in and gave the Gorillas a two goal lead once again. The Rayz came back to make it a one-goal on the power play at 3:22 of the period when Ken McKay placed a shot perfectly from the left circle into the right corner and past Boisclair making it 3-2 Amarillo. McKay's goal on the power play broke an 0 for 22 stretch on the power play by the Rayz. The Rayz had their chances down the stretch, however Boisclair would not be denied the victory as he was brilliant throughout making 41 saves in the game and leading Amarillo to a 3-2 win. The Rayz are now winless in four games for the first time this season. The Rayz will remain with 55 points on the season and in first place in the Southeast Division one point ahead of Austin who visits Laredo Wednesday night.

Corpus Christi stays on the road for their next game Thursday night at 7:05 from Lubbock when they visit the Lubbock Cotton Kings. The Rayz will return home for "Pack the House for Charity" Night presented by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on Saturday, February 26th when the Rayz host the Laredo Bucks at the American Bank Center. The Rayz will try to break an attendance record at the American Bank Center while helping to raise money for four very deserving youth based organizations in Corpus Christi. The Rayz and Caller-Times have teamed up with the Coastal Bend Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Red Cross – Coastal Bend Chapter, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children and the Corpus Christi Youth Hockey Association for the Charity night. The Rayz will provide a cash grant and a portion of ticket sales to each of these groups. Please make your plans to be a part of a great night, a great event and a great cause. Tickets start for as little as $10 (plus a $1.50 facility fee) and are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2005


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