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Rough week keeps Rayz in third place

March 7, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Season Record: 24-24-7(55 points) Home Record:13-11-3(29 points) Away Record:11-13-4(26 points)

Week in Review: The Corpus Christi Rayz playoff hunt was dealt another setback last week with their second straight 0-3 week. Two losses to the Odessa Jackalopes and a defeat at the hands of the San Angelo Saints extended the Rayz losing streak to six games, and their winless streak to a season-high nine straight. With an even .500 record and 55 points on the year, Corpus Christi is in third place in the Southeast Division. The Rayz are six points back in both the division race as well as the final Wild Card spot with five games remaining in the regular season. The Rayz were held to one goal in each of the three games last week and have scored only one goal in each of their last five games. Despite the drop in production, the Rayz chances have been there and the team has outshot their opponents in five of the nine games over the winless stretch. There are two weeks left in the regular season and Corpus Christi will finish their schedule with four of their final five games coming against their own division, whom they have had much success against this season. The Rayz will play just two games this week on Friday and Saturday night. They will host the Laredo Bucks for the final time this season to open the week, and then travel to Rio Grande Valley for their first meeting with the Killer Bees since January 22nd.

On Thursday night the Rayz began their weekend of three games, against San Angelo. After falling behind 2:30 into the game, the Rayz were able to come back on a beautiful end to end rush by Jason Baird who scored to tie the game at one. In the second period, it was all Rayz as they outshot the Saints 14-2, but they were unable to find the back of the net as the team's scoring woes continued. The second period was a microcosm of how things have gone recently for Corpus Christi. While they severely outshot and outplayed their opposition, the inability to capitalize on their chances stifled the Rayz, and the Saints held on until they could take the lead for good in the third period. The Saints rode three third period goals to a 4-1 victory, and clinched the season series against the Rayz.

Corpus Christi Rayz season ticket holder Alex Prado made history in the game by signing an official contract with the teams and starting the game at left wing. Prado, who had never been on skates just three weeks prior, started the game for the Rayz and officially became a member of the 2004-2005 Rayz hockey team. Prado skated his way into the record books by becoming the first season ticket holder of a team to sign a contract and actually play for that team in a regular season game. Prado wore the No. 4 jersey, and received a standing ovation from the American Bank Center crowd as he was announced as a starting forward for the Rayz.

The Rayz capped off their weekend with a home and home set with the Odessa Jackalopes on Friday and Sunday. On Friday night, it was the Rayz who jumped out to an early lead when Dave Gilmore tallied early in the contest to make the score 1-0. A late Jackalopes goal in the first period tied the game at one after the first period. Just as they did the night before, the Rayz played a one-sided second period outshooting Odessa 11-6 in the frame, hitting three posts in the process. Yet, once against there was nothing to show for it on the scoreboard and the Rayz were forced to settle for a tie game heading into the third. The Jackalopes got a power play goal from Donnie Margettie and took a 2-1 lead. They would hang on to the lead and go on to beat the Rayz 2-1.

Two nights later the Rayz and Jackalopes met again – this time in Corpus Christi. The Jackalopes took a 2-1 first period lead and never looked back beating the Rayz 5-1. The Jackalopes improved to a seven-game unbeaten streak as one of the hottest teams in the league, while the Rayz suffered their ninth straight game without a win. Odessa's five points on the weekend surged them past Corpus Christi for sixth place in the Conference and the Rayz dropped to seventh.

This Week's Schedule: Friday, March 11th vs. Laredo Bucks 7:00pm

Saturday, March 12th @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 7:35pm

Last Week's Results: Thursday, March 3rd vs. San Angelo Saints 4-1 L

Friday, March 4th @ Odessa Jackalopes 2-1 L

Sunday, March 6th vs. Odessa Jackalopes 5-1 L

All Rayz home games are played at the American Bank Center. All games will be broadcast live on the flagship station of the Corpus Christi Rayz - 103.7 FM KOUL and online at the Rayz website - www.ccrayz.com. All home games, along with select road games, are available for viewing on the internet at www.chltv.com.

Practice Schedule: The Rayz will practice at the American Bank Center from 10:00am – 11:30am Tuesday through Thursday morning. The Rayz will hold a pre-game skate Friday morning at 10:00am at the American Bank Center. The skate will last approximately 30 minutes. All media members are invited to Rayz practices unless otherwise slated.

Goal-den Goose

The Rayz nine-game winless streak has seen only 11 Rayz goals over that span. The Rayz have scored more than one goal in a game only twice in the last ten games. The Rayz have 12 goals on 330 shots over the last ten games – a shooting percentage of 3.6%. The Rayz are averaging just under three goals a game with 155 in 55 games.

Thanks for Nothing

In addition to the Rayz not getting wins late in the season, the Rayz are getting no help from other teams. The Southern Conference rivals of the Rayz are playing outstanding hockey recently, widening the gap between them and Corpus Christi. The Laredo Bucks are currently on a six-game winning streak. Austin has started their season-ending, eight-game road trip going 2-0-1. Odessa is unbeaten in seven straight. Amarillo has won three games in a row, and San Angelo has points in eight of their last ten games.

Injury Influx

The Rayz have played most of the season shorthanded due to injuries, and after a stop from the injury epidemic, the list of unhealthy Rayz players is back to a lengthy one. On Sunday, the Rayz were forced to skate with only 11 skaters for the final period. Defensemen Mario Doyon and Jay Hardwick remain on the IR list, while Greg Bullock and Chad McIver were each scratches for multiple games this week. Doug Scatchard was also a scratch for Sunday's game and Jason Baird had to leave the game early. There have only been five players all season long to dress for every game. They are Mark Jackson, Derrick McIver, Frank Werner, Ryan Carter and Jason Baird.

Southeast Salvation

Much of the reason the Rayz were in first place for the majority of the regular season was their stellar play within their own division. The Rayz are an outstanding 17-8-4 in 29 games against the Southeast. Corpus Christi has the best inter-division record of all the teams in the Southeast. The Rayz play four of their final five against teams in their division. This year the Rayz are 7-0-2 vs. Rio Grande Valley, 5-2-2 vs. Austin and 5-6 vs. Laredo. The Rayz will get two divisional games this weekend against the Bucks and Killer Bees.

This Week in the Community: Rayz defenseman Sam Miller will appear with Rayz Head Coach, Ken McRae on the Corpus Christi Rayz Coach's Radio Show at Buffalo Wild Wings tonight at 7:00pm. The Rayz will appear at Buffalo Wild Wings at 2001 SPID every Monday night at 7:00pm for the remainder of the season. Fans can attend the show live with their chance to ask questions on the air and win Rayz prizes, including tickets to upcoming games. The hour-long show can be heard weekly on the Rayz flagship station, 103.7 FM KOUL. For more information, you can call Buffalo Wild Wings at (361)814-9464.

On Tuesday the Rayz will be appearing at two schools in the Coastal Bend area. Goaltender Josh Blackburn will be speaking to students at Flour Bluff intermediate School at 1:00pm as part of the Speak for TX Public School Week. Rayz defensemen Jay Hardwick and Derrick McIver will participate in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times Reading Buddies Program. The pair of Rayz players will visit Zavala Elementary School at 1:30pm and read to students as part of the team's weekly campaign to promote the importance of reading in conjunction with the Caller-Times.

On Wednesday, the Rayz will be visiting more schools in the Corpus Christi area. Rayz defenseman Bernie John and Mario Doyon will visit FB Elementary School at 1:00pm to meet students and speak to them for TX Public School Week. Forward Jason Baird and defenseman Dominic Periard will read to students at Montclair Elementary at 1:00pm on Wednesday. Rayz Community Relations Coordinator, Erika Flick will be at Del Mar College's East Campus from 10:00am-1:00pm fro Spring Break week.

The Corpus Christi Rayz Sting Team will appear Thursday at two locations. At 1:30pm, the Sting Team and mascot, Stinger Ray will be a part of the TX Public School Week Parade at Casa Linda Elementary School. Then from 5:00-7:00pm, the Sting Team will be at Fanin Elementary for an Info Fair. There will be door prizes given away at the event.

To book an appearance with the Corpus Christi Rayz players, Sting Team or mascot, please contact Community Relations Coordinator, Erika Flick at (361)814-7825.

This Week at the Champion Toyota Ice Center at Memorial Coliseum: Public Skating is available this week at the Champion Toyota Ice Center at the Memorial Coliseum. For information, session times and fees, please call (361)879-0795.

Rayz Next Home Game: The Rayz return home on Friday night when they play their rivals, the Laredo Bucks for the final time this season on Ladies Night. All female fans 18 and older will receive discounted tickets starting at just $8. Regular priced tickets start for as little as $10 (plus a $1.50 facility fee) and are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. The Rayz are asking all fans to wear Disco themed clothes and the Rayz will be playing disco music as part of "Beat the Bucks" Night at the American Bank Center. There are only three more home games this season. Make your plans to see the Corpus Christi Rayz today. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2005


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