Saints stop Rayz, 4-1

March 4, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - Once again the Corpus Christi Rayz outshot their opponent. Once again the Rayz outchanced their opponent. And once again the Rayz fell to their opponent. The San Angelo Saints scored three third period goals and All-Star goaltender Scott Reid made 34 saves to beat the Rayz 4-1 at the American Bank Center Thursday night. The loss pushed the season-high Rayz winless streak to seven games, and kept them in third place in the Southeast Division, one point back from Laredo and Austin.

The Rayz were hoping for a big start to help end their season-high winless streak, but the Saints had other ideas. On an early power play, Kevin Vandewaeter scored on a rebound chance from the top of the crease. Nathan Rosychuk took the puck coast to coast and ripped a shot from the top of the slot that was turned aside by Zelenewich, but Vandewaeter was there for the put back to give the Saints the early 1-0 lead. Corpus Christi answered back on an end to end rush of their own later in the period. Jason Baird went from the Rayz blueline into the Saints zone and around defenseman Konrad Brand to move in from the right circle on Scott Reid. With Reid going down, Baird lifted the puck up and over his shoulder for his team-leading 29th goal to tie the game at one. The Saints outshot the Rayz 11-7 in the opening frame.

In the second period, the Rayz had three power play chances and countless chances. However Reid and the Saints defense kept the Rayz out of the net, and the period went by scoreless. The Rayz outshot the Saints 14-2, tying a season record for fewest shots allowed in a period.

The opening three minutes featured much of the same. The Rayz sent great chance after chance at the San Angelo net, and they were all turned aside by Reid. Then after a Derrick McIver shot hit the outside of the net, the Saints sprung Bret Dececco down the right side. He took a hook from Dominic Periard, but moved around the defenseman to the bottom of the right circle. With one foot off the ice, he was somehow able to slide the puck through the pads of Zelenewich for the go ahead goal making it 2-1 Saints. The goal deflated the Rayz and the Saints were able to extend their lead to 3-1 at 13:57 when Chris Robertson wrested a shot past Zelenewich from the left circle. After a line brawl came at 17:35 of the third period, including a fight on the Rayz bench, the Rayz had a power play and tried to get back into the game, pulling the goaltender. However Dececco's scored an empty net goal to seal the 4-1 victory. The Rayz were held to only one goal in their third straight game and now have only ten goals in their last eight games.

At the start of the game, the Rayz made history by welcoming Alex Prado into their lineup to start the game. Prado was the Grand Prize Winner of the Rayz Rewards Season Ticket Benefit Program, and as a Season Ticket Holder won the chance to suit up in the game for the Rayz. Prado, who got on skates for the first time ever three weeks ago, started the game at center ice, and skated right into the history books becoming the first ever season ticket holder to play a professional hockey game for his team.

The Rayz now go on the road to take on the Odessa Jackalopes Friday night at 7:00pm. Corpus Christi will return home on Whataburger/Caller-Times Family Day at 5:00pm Sunday afternoon presented by the Planet 102.3FM. Every adult ticket comes with two free children's tickets. Tickets start as low as $10 and are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central