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Rayz Fall To Bees In Overtime 5-4

February 29, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Try as they might on Friday, the Corpus Christi Rayz just could not shake the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. The Rayz kept pulling away before the Bees kept pulling even and eventually Dennis Maxwell's power play goal in the opening minute of overtime gave the Bees a 5-4 overtime victory over the Rayz. The loss for the Rayz was their fifth straight, dropping their record to 17-29-7, however did not go unrewarded, as the point for Corpus Christi kept them six points behind Austin who beat Amarillo 4-3 in a shootout on Friday. The Rayz trail the Gorillas by five. The Rayz will visit Laredo on Saturday Night, before returning to the American Bank Center on Sunday afternoon to conclude, continuing their four-game week hosting the Killer Bees at 3:05pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK. The Rayz began the game exactly how they intended to, swarming the Bees off the opening draw. Corpus Christi outshot Rio Grande Valley 7-0 to start the game and was rewarded early. Brent Howarth made a beautiful move around Travis Banga and across the goal mouth before tucking the puck inside the left post 1:34 into the contest. The Rayz then dominated the following moments, but fell victim to two defensive turnovers and fell behind. At 10:57 Mike Tuomi picked off a pass in the rayz zone and snapped a shot through the pads of Jason Tapp to tie the score 1-1. Then at 13:41 the Rayz gave the puck away to Banga at their blue line and Banga beat Tapp high glove side to give the Bees a 2-1 lead. The Rayz outshot the Bees 15-7, but trailed at first intermission.

In the second period, Corpus Christi was able to regain the lead thanks in large part to several power play opportunities. The Rayz had seven second period power plays, including three two-man advantages and a five minute major after Rob Voltera was ejected for fighting Jeff Winchester following a check on Banga. The Rayz tied the score even strength when Joe Blaznek scored from the inside of the left circle at 7:43 and then took the lead on their first five-on-three goal o f the season at 18:55. Geno Parrish beat A.J. Bucchino on a one-timer late in the frame to make the score 3-2 Rayz. The Rayz outshot the bees 15-11 in the period.

In the third period, the resilient Bees refused to let the Rayz pull away. Danny Lapointe jammed home a puck on a scramble in front at 5:38 to tie the score 3-3. The Rayz regained the lead with Blaznek's second tally at 8:06 on a redirection past Bucchino. But only 46 seconds later Jason Weitzel's slapshot found a hole between the arm and body of Tapp and trickled past the netminder into the net to tie the score again.

Dennis Maxwell then ended the game with a power play goal 38 seconds into overtime to give the Bees a 5-4 win.

Tapp made 29 saves on 34 shots and took the overtime loss, dropping to 17-24-6. A.J. Bucchino got the win with 36 saves on 40 shots. His record jumped to 2-4. Corpus Christi went 1-11 on the power play and Rio Grande Valley was 1-7 on the man advantage. The Rayz outshot the Bees 40-34.

The Rayz once again host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Sunday afternoon at 3:05pm. It's Caller-Times Family Day. Kids 12 and under get FREE tickets with the purchase of regular priced adult tickets. Plus fans can skate with the Rayz in a post-game skating party. Tickets for both games are on sale now. Call 814-PUCK for more ticket information.

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.

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