Rayz land in playoffs with 4-2 win

March 9, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


It has been six years since the Corpus Christi Rayz were last in the playoffs, but the wait for Rayz fans will end in just a few weeks. The Rayz clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2001 with a 4-2 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Friday Night at the American Bank Center. Derrick McIver scored two goals in his first game back since returning from the American Hockey League and Ron Vogel made 33 saves to lead the Rayz to their seventh win in the last eight meetings with Rio Grande Valley. Corpus Christi is now 31-19-7 for 69 points and kept the second best record in the Southern Conference. Corpus Christi Playoff tickets are on sale now and packages start at just $72. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

After playing each other scoreless through 60 minutes a week ago, the teams had no intention of staying scoreless. Ryan Carter got the scoring started just 1:04 into the hockey game to give the Rayz a power play goal and a 1-0 lead. Just over two minutes later, Matt Reynolds beat Ron Vogel from the bottom of the left circle through his skates to tie the score at 3:10. The Rayz then took control with two goals in 28 seconds. Derrick McIver - who was making his return to the Rayz after a two-week stint in the American Hockey League scored from the high slot at 17:59 and Nick Lindberg froze Jeremy Symington on a fake shot and then moved around him to give the Rayz a 3-1 lead at 18:27. The Rayz outshot the Bees 18-8.

The second period began with a goaltending change for Rio Grande Valley. Jeff Van Nynatten entered the game, closing the books on Symington. The replacement marked the fourth time in 11 games this season that the Bees have made a goaltending change midway through the game. Neither team tallied in the second frame as the Bees outshot the Rayz 9-8. Corpus Christi took their 3-1 lead into the final period.

The Rayz extended their lead to three goals when McIver scored his second, redirecting a Todd Paul shot past Van Nynatten 48 seconds into the final period. Rio Grande Valley's Rob Voltera capped the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 7:29 of the third, but Vogel was terrific in the final frame and the Bees got no closer. The Rayz held on for the win and clinched a playoff spot in the process.

Vogel made 33 saves on 35 shots and improved to 20-11-4 on the year while Symington took the loss, falling to 16-14-4. Van Nynatten did not figure into the decision, but made 14 saves on 15 shots. The Bees outshot the Rayz 35-33. The Rayz went 2-6 on the power play and the Bees went 0-6. The Killer Bees dropped into a sixth place tie with the Austin Ice Bats for the final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. They dropped to 23-26-7 on the year.

The Rayz and Bees will return to the American Bank Center on Saturday Night for the Grand Finale of the Fine Jewelry Outlet Great Diamond Giveaway, presented by the Planet 102.3FM. One lucky fan at the American Bank Center is GUARANTEED to win a $10,000 diamond ring at the Rayz game this Saturday Night. The winner could be you! Simply visit Fine Jewelry Outlet located in Moore Plaza on SPID between Everhart and Staples and register for free. Then be at the game on Saturday and you could win the diamond. Plus, while at FJO you can get discounted tickets to the game, that are over 50% off. Make your plans to be there this weekend for two great games and your shot at a $10,000 diamond. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK or call Fine Jewelry Outlet at (361) 991-5722.

Corpus Christi is your town and the Rayz are Your Team! Come support the Rayz as they head into the post-season. Regular priced tickets start at just $10. Group discounts are available for parties of ten or more. Come support your hometown team! For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2007


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