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Road warriors

February 16, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - The Corpus Christi Rayz made their way back home after a successful road sweep of Austin and Odessa over the weekend and are now preparing for three games against two big division rivals this week.

The Rayz posted consecutive road victories for the first time this season Friday and Saturday night. The Rayz, who had won only four road games all season prior to their wins in Austin and Odessa, played brilliant hockey away from Corpus Christi, and in fact never trailed once in the two games combined. Rayz captain Ken Richardson was outstanding through both games, combining for five goals and an assist. Against Austin on Friday night, Richardson scored the first two Rayz goals of the game (a power play goal and a shorthanded goal) and added an assist on Aaron Millar's game winner, as the Rayz beat the Ice Bats 3-2. He continued his superb play the following night in Odessa with his second straight two-goal effort, en route to the Rayz 4-3 shootout victory over the Jackalopes. Since missing three games with an injury, Richardson has scored goals in each of his last three games and amassed six points over that span.

Rayz goaltender Greg Hewitt had another pair of standout performances last weekend. Hewitt went 2-0-0 and made 85 saves on 90 shots, posting back to back 40+ save victories. Hewitt, who has been stellar since coming to Corpus Christi midseason, made huge saves throughout both games highlighted by the lightning quick use of his glove. Friday night in Austin, Hewitt faced a Rayz season high 47 shots on net, and made a season high 45 saves. The following night, he stymied 40 Odessa shots through overtime and then went on to deny three out of four Jackalopes in the shootout situation. Jonathan St. Louis, Cosmo Dupaul and Brad Wingfield scored in the shootout for Corpus Christi as the Rayz beat Odessa in their first meeting of the season 4-3.

With the win over Austin, the Rayz (6-3 vs. the Ice Bats) clinched the season series over their divisional counterparts. They will now switch their focus to the other clubs in the CHL's Southeast Division as they prepare for this week's upcoming games. The Rayz will play two home games Thursday and Friday night before returning to the road on Saturday.

Thursday night the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will return to Corpus Christi to take on the Rayz. The Rayz and Bees have played each other tight in the expansion Killer Bees' first season of existence. Corpus Christi is 4-5 vs. Rio Grande Valley this year and will look to tie up the season series on Thursday before making their way to the Valley, Saturday night to finish the weekend against the Bees. The Killer Bees currently are in second place in the Southeast Division and fourth in the Southern Conference at 24-20-7 with 55 points.

In between the two games against Rio Grande Valley, the Rayz will host a familiar foe on Friday night. The Laredo Bucks make their final visit of the season to the Memorial Coliseum this Friday night. The Laredo Bucks at 40-6-5 have 85 points and have clinched their first Southeastern Division title in franchise history. They are the first team in the CHL to qualify for the postseason. The most hated rival to the Rayz will make their last appearance in the Memorial Coliseum, as the Rayz look to send off their enemy with something to remember Corpus Christi by this summer. Tickets are still available for both games, but good seats are going fast. Call (361)814-PUCK for more ticket information, and make your plans to be at the Memorial Coliseum this Thursday and Friday night. There are only eight home games left this season, so time is running out to see the Rayz. Don't let the coolest game in South Texas pass you by.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2004


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