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Rayz hold lead in tight division race

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


Season Record:24-18-7 (55 points) Home Record: 13-8-3 (29 points) Away Record: 11-10-4 (26 points)

Week in Review: The Corpus Christi Rayz have made it 15 straight weeks in first place after finishing 1-2-1 last week. The Rayz began with a big win on the road, but then struggled returning home, picking up just one point in a three game homestand. The Rayz improved to 55 points on the season, and while they relinquished their six point advantage heading into the week, they still remain in first place in the Southeast Division and in contention for the Southern Conference overall lead currently held by San Angelo with 58 points. The Rayz lead the Austin Ice Bats by one point in the division and the Laredo Bucks by seven points. While the Rayz are currently fourth overall in the Southern Conference race, winning their division would ensure Corpus Christi of no worse than the number two seed in the playoffs and solidify home-ice advantage through at least the first round.

The Rayz started off the week brilliantly with a magnificent 1-0 shutout performance in Bossier-Shreveport on Tuesday. Josh Blackburn made 32 saves for his first shutout of the year and gave the Rayz a win in their week opening game for the first time in a month. However, fresh off a big road victory, the Rayz were unable to keep the momentum rolling as they ran into a brick wall Wednesday night against Lubbock. Shawn Conschafter stopped all 37 Rayz shots in Corpus Christi in the first meeting of the year between the Rayz and the Cotton Kings. One night after posting their second shutout in five games, the Rayz were shutout 3-0 despite outshooting their opponents by 37-24 in the game.

Splitting the first two games, the Rayz then finished the week against two Northern Conference opponents. On Friday night, the Rayz and Wichita Thunder matched up in a highly offensive battle of two of the league's highest scoring teams. The Thunder edged the Rayz 5-3 in a game that entered the final period with only one goal separating the club. After a too many men on the ice call was whistled against the Rayz, the Thunder scored on the ensuing power play to take a 5-3 lead. Frustrated by several things, Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae protested the call that lead to the Thunder's fifth goal by littering the ice with sticks from the Rayz bench. McRae was ejected from a game for the first time this season.

McRae's explosion on Friday attempted to fuel the Rayz for their Sunday afternoon battle the with New Mexico Scorpions. The Rayz came out and played a good hockey game, however once again it was a hot goaltender that prevented them from two points. The teams skated most of the game tied and Rayz goaltender Brent Zelenewich dueled Scorpions goaltender Miguel Beaudry down the stretch. Both netminders were outstanding and the game went to a shootout tied at one. In the extra session, the Rayz were unable to beat Beaudry on four chances, and New Mexico slipped two past Zelenewich for the 2-1 shootout win. In a losing effort, Zelenewich was incredible making 45 saves on 46 shots.

The Rayz now go on the road for two straight games before returning home on Saturday night to host their archrivals the Laredo Bucks on "Pack the House For Charity" Night presented by the Caller-Times. Saturday Night will be the biggest home game of the year for the Rayz and you can be a part of Corpus Christi history by being there. Help the Rayz as they join forces with four local, youth based organizations and raise money for the children of Corpus Christi. Make your plans to be at the American Bank Center this Saturday night at 7:00pm. With only 11 games left in the season and seven teams competing for four playoff spots in the South, each game brings huge playoff implications. The Rayz season will conclude in three and a half weeks and the Rayz have 11 more games (6 at home, 5 on the road) to try and bring playoff hockey back to Corpus Christi for the first time in four years.

This Week's Schedule: Tuesday, February 22nd @ Amarillo Gorillas 7:11pm

Thursday, February 24th @ Lubbock Cotton Kings 7:05pm

Saturday, February 26th vs. Laredo Bucks 7:00pm

Last Week's Results: Tuesday, February 15th @ Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 1-0 W

Wednesday, February 16th vs. Lubbock Cotton Kings 3-0 L

Friday, February 18th vs. Wichita Thunder 5-3 L

Sunday, February 20th vs. New Mexico Scorpions 2-1 soL

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 are on the road through Friday. There will be a brief 30 min pre-game skate on Saturday morning at the American Bank Center at 10:00am. All media members are invited to Rayz practices unless otherwise slated.

Staying South

The Corpus Christi Rayz concluded their Northern Conference schedule last week with three games against the North. Last week the Rayz went 1-1-1, and overall ended the season with a 5-7-2 record in 14 games against the Northern Conference. The Rayz will finish their regular season with 11 straight against the Southern Conference teams they are jockeying with for playoff positioning. They will play six games against the Southwest Division and five against the Southeast.

Scoring Slowed

After spending the majority of the season as the highest scoring team in the Southern Conference, the Corpus Christi Rayz have cooled off offensively of late. The Rayz have combined for just five goals in the last four games. They have now moved eight goals behind Austin as the highest scoring team in the Southern Conference. This season the Rayz have 151 goals in 49 games averaging just over three goals a game on the season.

Road Sweet Road

The Rayz have played their best hockey in the month of February away from the Coastal Bend. Corpus Christi has won three of their last four on the road and improved to an over .500 road record on the season. They have struggled at home recently, going winless in their last four at the American Bank Center. The Rayz, who have just one win in six games at home this month, lost back to back games at home for the first time this season Wednesday and Friday night. The Rayz are back on the road this week for two games. They are currently winless in their last three and have not gone winless in four straight the entire season.

Who's Left?

Corpus Christi will finish the season playing nine of their last 11 games against teams all vying for the Southern Conference's top four positions. The Rayz will play Amarillo and Lubbock each one more time on the road. The Rayz will play one road game and one home game each against Odessa, San Angelo and Rio Grande Valley. The Rayz will host the Laredo Bucks two more times. Finally, the Rayz will host the Austin Ice Bats on Saturday, March 19th in the final game of the season. Currently the Rayz lead Austin by one point for the Southeast Division lead.

This Week in the Community: This week the Corpus Christi Rayz will be appearing on morning radio shows Monday through Friday. Tune in to the morning shows on Tejas Broadcasting's stations all this week between 8:00am – 9:00am to hear members from the Rayz. They will air live on 103.7FM KOUL, The Beach 96.5FM and CLUB 98.3FM. The Rayz will also be appearing on the King Sized Sports Show each day this week airing from 7:00-9:00am on ESPN 1230AM KSIX.

The Rayz Sting Team will be at The Pride of Texas Carnival located in the Tinsletown Movie parking lot this Wednesday night from 7-9pm. Fans can come and enjoy the rides with the Sting Team, and get their autographs. For every All You Can Ride bracelet bought at the event, the Carnival will donate $2.00 to the Pack The House Night fund benefiting four local, youth based organizations for this Saturday Night when the Rayz host the Laredo Bucks.

The Corpus Christi Rayz Boosterz are holding the 3rd Annual ICE COLD Golf Challenge coming up next month and all of Corpus Christi can get involved. The Golf Challenge is on Sunday, March 20th beginning at noon for the shotgun start. It will be held at Pharaoh's Golf Club with a four-man scramble. The price is $60/Player or $240 Team. There will be Dinner & a party immediately following the event. Sponsorships for the Golf Challenge start for as low as $50. For more information, please contact Booster Club President, David Parent at (361) 850-8403 or 779-4288, or by email at daveparent@grandecom.net.

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 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


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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