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Rayz keep playoff hopes alive, beat Jacks 6-2

March 8, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Six different goal scorers led the Corpus Christi Rayz past the Odessa Jackalopes 6-2 on Saturday night. The Rayz' win, coupled with loses by both the Amarillo Gorillas and the Austin Ice Bats put Corpus Christi only 2 points out of the fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. The Rayz will return to the American Bank Center on Wednesday, March 12th at 7:05 versus division rival, the Austin Ice Bats for Beach Night. Tickets are on sale now for the final two home games of the season. For more info, call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

In the first period, The Rayz got off to a quick start. Adam Powell scored on a wrist-shot from the left circle after a pass from Kevin Watters 49 seconds into the game. Niko Tuomi was credited with the other assist. The Jackalopes tied the score 1-1 with a Nathan Ward powerplay goal at 16:52 with assists from Alex Ward and Dominic Leveille. The game went into the first intermission tied 1-1.

The Rayz began to pull away in the second period. At 10:57, passes from Kevin Watters and Jon Jankus led to a Joe Blaznek goal putting the Rayz up 2-1. Just over two minutes later, at 13:10, the Rayz took a 3-1 lead. Derek Smith broke away shorthanded from the Odessa defense and sent a puck over the glove of Jackalope goalie, Mike Gorman. Joe Blaznek and Adam Hogg got the assists and Corpus Christi took a 3-1 lead. The Rayz weren't done yet. Brent Howarth knocked-in a loose puck with help from Jon Jankus and Jeff Winchester at 17:33. The Rayz would take their 4-1 lead into the third period.

In the third period, the Jackalopes chipped away at the Rayz' lead. At 2:55 of the frame, Sebastien Thinel added an Odessa goal with assists from Mario Joly and Nathan Ward to cut Corpus Christi's lead to 4-2. But, the Rayz would answer. Justin Quenneville scored an amazing goal from his knees putting the Rayz up 5-2. Assists came from Jay Latulippe and Nicklas Lindberg. Corpus Christi added another goal at 17:40 with a Nick Lindberg powerplay goal with assists from Adam Powell and Justin Quenneville. The Rayz hung to their 6-2 lead for the win.

Rayz goaltender Jason Tapp got the win, moving his record to 20-25-6. He made 32 saves on 34 shots. Mike Gorman took the loss, dropping his record to 11-12-3. He made 32 saves on 38 shots. Corpus Christi was 1 for 8 on the powerplay and Odessa was 1 for 6. The Jackalopes outshot the Rayz 38 to 34.

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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