Rayz swat Bees in OT

Published on November 21, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees went back and forth Saturday Night at the Dodge Arena, but it was the Rayz with the last laugh. With just 35 seconds remaining in overtime, Greg Bullock scored to give the Rayz a 4-3 OT victory over the Killer Bees. The Rayz have now won three in a row.

The Killer Bees came out of the gate fast and threw a fury of shots at the Rayz and goaltender Josh Blackburn. However, Blackburn stood tough, as did the Rayz, killing off two early power play chances for Rio Grande Valley. The Rayz eventually got on the board first at the 14:38 mark of the first when Dave Gilmore picked up a rebound in the slot and lifted it over sprawled out Killer Bees netminder, Jacques Vezina. Frank Werner created traffic in front and got a stick on the Ryan Carter rebound and both men got assists on Gilmore's first goal of the season.

At the start of the second period, it was the Rayz who forced the issue early and outshot the Bees 7-0 to start the period. The pressure paid off as the Rayz scored 47 seconds into the period they scored their second goal of the game. Dominic Periard was trailing a two on one when Greg Bullock found him in the slot and Periard ripped a shot past Vezina for his second goal of the year. Bullock and Baird got the assists. The Rayz increased their lead just a half minute later when Gilmore got his second of the game. Traffic in front of the net left the loose puck for Gilmore who converted a Carter pass on a second attempt. The Rayz had a three goal lead and things looked good for Corpus Christi, but then Rio Grande Valley responded on a Rayz power play. After a couple of chances shorthanded, the Killer Bees got their first goal of the game at 7:00 of the second on a Derek Holland slapshot from the left point. The Bees then got within one goal on the power play when Bill Newson stickhandled from the left circle into the slot and went upstairs to beat Blackburn. Newson's fourth of the season made it a one-goal game heading into the third period.

In the third period, the teams traded chances, and the Rayz had a 1:40 two man advantage, but the Killer Bees killed off the power play, and kept it a one goal game. With only three minutes remaining in regulation, the Killer Bees got the equalizer when Josh Mizerek made a great play to keep the puck in the zone and then found Daymen Bencharski at the top of the slot for the game tying goal. The teams would go to overtime and Greg Bullock drew a slashing call from Jason Tessier with 2:16 remaining. On the power play, the Rayz set up and with time winding down and players scrambling in the Bees net, the puck was worked over the Bullock at the left circle. He crept in and beat Vezina five hole for the game winning goal. The Rayz have won three straight and improved their record to 6-4-2 and a three point lead over Austin and Laredo in the Southeast Division. The Bees failed to win for the seventh straight game and now stand at 3-7-1. The Bees outshot the Rayz 39-29. The Rayz were 1 for 8 on the PP and the Bees were 1 for 4.

The Rayz will return home to cap off the home and home series with the Killer Bees, and their week of four games in five days on Sunday at 5:05pm for their first Whataburger Family Day Game of the year at 5:05pm. Up to two children will be admitted free with ever full priced adult ticket purchased. Tickets start as low as $10 and are available at the AmericnaBank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. The game will feature magicians, family themed events and a post-game skate party with the Rayz players. Fans can bring their skates to the American Bank Center or rent them there for $3 at the rink. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361)814-7825.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2004


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