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Rayz sting Bees, 4-3

December 22, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees played five times heading into Wednesday nightÂ’s contest and each game came down to the wire. WednesdayÂ’s match-up was no different as the Rayz hung own down the stretch to beat Rio Grande Valley 4-3 and regain sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division.

The physical tone was set early on in the contest as right off the opening face-off Rayz forward Blair Stayzer and Killer Bees defenseman Darcy Smith dropped the gloves for an early fight. The tussle would be a sign of things to come as the two teams would combine for 32 penalty minutes in the opening frame. The Rayz got on the board first when a loose puck bounced to Ken McKay at the top of the circles and he turned around and flicked a snap shot past the glove of Killer Bees goaltender, Jeff Levy for the only goal of the first period. McKayÂ’s goal was his tenth of the season and he became the fifth player on the Rayz to reach double digits in scoring. The Killer Bees received a chance to get back into the game with a two-man advantage for 1:05, but they were unable to solve Rayz netminder Josh Blackburn, who made 19 saves in the opening period.

In the second period, physical play gave way to defensive play as the pace slowed down. Few scoring chances were seen in the middle period with the exception of a :59 span that saw both goals of the frame. The Rayz got their second goal of the game and took a 2-0 lead when the Dave Gilmore blasted a slapshot from the top of the left circle that beat Levy to give the Rayz a two-goal lead. However, the two-goal advantage was short lived as less than a minute later Daymen Bencharski intercepted a clearing attempt and moved to the top of the circles where his shot beat got past Blackburn and cut the Rayz defecit in half. Corpus Christi ended the second period with a 2-1 lead.

In the third period, the Bees tied the game up on the pwer play when Justin Dziama scored the first goal of his career on a rebound 1:53 into the period. However, the Rayz answered with two goals in 1:38 from Clark Udle and Matt Noga and hung on down the stretch for the one-goal win. Blackburn made 37 saves to lead the Rayz back to sole possession of first place in Southeast Division. The Rayz were 1-3 on the PP and the Bees were 1-4. Rio Grande Valley outshot the Rayz 40-24.

The Rayz will now take the Christmas Holiday off before returning to action Sunday night in a first place matchup with the Laredo Bucks in Laredo. The game will be Sunday night at 7:30pm in Laredo. The Rayz will return to Corpus Christi and the American Bank Center on Friday, December 31st when the Austin Ice Bats visit Corpus Christi for the first time since the Ice Bats injured Rayz captain, Bernie John. Be there for the game as the New YearÂ’s Eve fireworks may begin early this year. Special tickets that benefit Driscoll ChildrenÂ’s Hospital are available at the Hospital gift shop or by calling the Rayz office at 814-PUCK. It will also be college night, and all college students can get a ticket for as little as $6. Come for the hockey and stay for the New YearÂ’s Eve Block Party with the Rayz. Immediately following the fireworks show, the Rayz party will continue at the Omni Hotels until 2:00am. Call the Rayz today at 814-7825 for more information on how to have your New YearÂ’s Eve plans set with the Rayz who will begin a new tradition in 2005.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2004


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