Rayz stopped by hot Gorillas, 5-1

Published on December 20, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Amarillo, TX - Scott Wray and Joe Guenther each scored a pair of goals and Derek Hahn had three assists Tuesday night as the Corpus Christi Rayz fell 5-1 to the Amarillo Gorillas. The loss for the Rayz ended a three-game road trip and dropped their record back under .500 at 11-12-1. Amarillo's win was their sixth straight, as the Gorillas remain the hottest team in the CHL. Corpus Chrisit will return home on Friday night to host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at 7:35pm at the American Bank Center.

The Corpus Christi Rayz capped an important, three-game weekend on Saturday Night the same way it was began on Thursday. For the second time in three nights, the Rayz beat the Austin Ice Bats in a shootout. Corpus Christi got a 2-1 win on the strength of 30 saves from Brent Zelenewich, who earned his second win of the weekend. The Rayz finished their weekend set with a 2-1 record and moved their record back to .500 on the season with an 11-11-1 mark for 23 points in 23 games. The Rayz will now conclude a three-game road trip Tuesday night in Amarillo.

The Rayz got a boost in the lineup as Josh Miskovich was back in the lineup after missing eight games with an injury. Miskovich made an immediate impact in his return to the ice, scoring the first goal of the game. The Rayz rookie started a rush down the right wall and then capped it off, with a backhand in tight on Jamie Vandespyker. Miskovich's goal was his sixth goal of the season in just his 15th game. Miskovich's goal cam assisted by Tim Vitek and Bernie John. Amarillo then tied the score at one on a controversial goal. Joe Guenther was set up just outside the crease and redirected a Brent Hughes pass that appeared to be stopped on the goal line by Brent Zelenewich. After a debate with linesmen and the goal judge, referee Keith Kaval awarded Guenther the goal. The goal was Guenther's fourth of the season and first in three games this season with the Gorillas, since being acquired last week from Tulsa. The Gorillas outshot the Rayz 15-8 in the first period.

In the second period, the Gorillas opened up a two goal advantage. Amarillo took their first lead of the night when Scott Wray scored shorthanded 6:48 into the frame. Wray deflected a Kevin Wilson pass behind Zelenewich to make the score 2-1. Guenther then scored his second of the night to give the Gorillas their 3-1 lead. Guenther snapped a shot from the top of the slot through Zelenewich's pads at 14:15 to give Amarillo the two-goal cushion. The Rayz had an opportunity late in the second period when they got a two-man advantage for 1:54, but could not solve Vandespyker and the period ended with the Gorillas leading 3-1.

The Gorillas put the game out of reach in the third period with another pair of goals. Scott Wray scored his second goal of the game at 16:13 of the third period, when he redirected a shot similar to his first tally. 36 seconds later, on a two man advantage, Amarillo sealed the game with a Wilson goal from the left circle. The 5-1 win for Amarillo improved their CHL leading winning streak to six games, and brought them back to .500 on the season for the first time since the second game of the season. The Gorillas are now 10-10-2 and remain in third place in the Southwest Division. The Rayz went 0 for 10 on the power play. Amarillo went 1 for 9. The Gorillas outshot 44-20

Corpus Christi will return home to host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Friday, December 23rd for a Christmas Celebration at the American Bank Center. It's Calallen Football Appreciation Night. Come celebrate the State Championship Final run of Calallen High School with the Rayz. It's also Harley Davidson Men's Night presented by Time Warner and Classic Rock 104.5FM. All men 18 and older will receive discount ticket vouchers at Harley Davidson of Corpus Christi. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations and the American Bank Center Box Office. For ticket information, please call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2005


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