Rayz fall to Bucks, 2-1

Published on January 27, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


In a battle of the tope two teams in the Southern Conference, Saturday night's contest between the Corpus Christi Rayz and Laredo Bucks lived up to its billing. The teams played a tight game throughout, but in the end, Laredo netminder Kevin Reiter emerged as the hero with a 33 saves performance to lead the Bucks to a 2-1 win. The loss for the Rayz snapped their franchise-best, six-game overall and home winning streak. The Rayz remained in second place in the Southern Conference, however now trail the Bucks by ten points. They'll have a chance to slice into that gap on Sunday afternoon when Corpus Christi and Laredo play their second straight from the American Bank Center. Tickets are still available for Caller-Times Family Day, starting at just $10. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

The Bucks got the lone goal of the first period when Leo Thomas weaved his way through the Rayz defense and beat Brent Zelenewich for his 12th goal of the season at 10:58. Both teams put eight shots on goal in the opening period and the Bucks took a 1-0 lead into the second frame.

The second period looked like a repeat performance from the first. The teams played an even frame, but the Bucks power play accounted for the period's only goal. Adam Rivet scored from the left wall on a rebound at 13:56, narrowly beating Zelenewich while he tried to scramble from the left side of the crease. Rivet's 14th goal of the season increased the Bucks lead to 2-0. Both teams had 12 shots in the period, but the Bucks upped their advantage to a pair heading into the third period.

In the third period, the Rayz got on the board with a power play goal when Nick Lindberg's centering pass skipped past Reiter off of a Bucks defenseman at 4:50. The cut the Bucks lead in half, but was as close as the Rayz would come. Both teams were awarded two-minute, two-man advantages late in the game when referee Mark Lemelin called two separate misconduct penalties following penalty calls. Neither team was able to score and the Bucks held on for the win. The Rayz outshot the Bucks 14-9 in the period.

The Rayz loss snapped season and franchise-tying home and overall winning streaks at six games. The Rayz remained in second place, but fell behind the Bucks by ten points for the top spot in the Southern Conference. Zelenewich suffered the loss, ending his three-game winning streak as he fell to 8-7-3. The Bucks record increased to 27-9-3 for a Southern Conference leading 57 points. Kevin Reiter made 33 saves on 34 shots and won his third straight and improved to 8-2. The Rayz outshot the Bucks 34-29. The Rayz went 1-8 on the power play and the Bucks went 2-9.

The Rayz and Bucks meet again on Sunday afternoon at 3:05pm on Caller-Times Family Day where you can get two FREE child tickets (for kids 12 and under) with the purchase of a regular priced adult ticket. Then after the game stick around for a FREE post-game skating session with the Rayz. Bring your skates or rent them at the American Bank Center for $3. Make sure you're there for the second half of this huge rivalry weekend. Group discount tickets are available for all parties of ten people or more.

Corpus Christi is your town and the Rayz are Your Team! Come support the Rayz as they make a first place and playoff push on Sunday Afternoon at 3:05pm. Regular priced tickets start at just $10. Come support your hometown team! For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK. We'll see you at the American Bank Center this Sunday when they Rayz battle the Laredo Bucks.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2007


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