Scorpions Fight Back To Clip Rayz 5-4

Published on December 18, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


In a morning game, the Corpus Christi Rayz had no trouble getting to work early against the New Mexico Scorpions. The late portion of the game, however, did not prove as kind. New Mexico scored five unanswered goals to eclipse a 3-0 Rayz lead and beat Corpus Christi 5-4 from the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho New Mexico. Corpus Christi's ninth one-goal loss snapped their three-game road winning streak. The Rayz are now 6-3-1 in their last ten. Corpus Christi dropped their record to 8-14-2 on the season and remained within two points of idle Rio Grande Valley for second place in the Southeast Division. The Rayz will conclude their road trip Wednesday Night in Arizona at 8:05pm. The Rayz will return to the American Bank Center to host Amarillo on Saturday, December 22nd when they host the Amarillo Gorillas in a Christmas Celebration Game. Tickets are on sale now. Please call 814-PUCK for more information, or visit the Rayz online at www.ccrayz.com

The Rayz burst out of the gates and onto the scoreboard in the opening period. Corpus Christi scored three goals within a four minute span to claim early control of the game. Derek Smith got it started with a great move around New Mexico's David Simoes and a wrist shot past Mike Minard from the right circle at 9:17. The Rayz then made it 2-0 when Joe Blaznek tallied on a one-timer from the blue line on a power play at 11:50. Adam Powell made it 3-0 on an Adam Hogg rebound at 13:07. The Scorpions struck late in the frame to get on the board before intermission. Former Rayz forward Chris Robertson notched a power play goal from just outside the crease on a rebound at 18:51. The Rayz were outshoot 16-11 in the first period, but took a 3-1 lead into the break.

In the second period, the Scorpions flipped the script with three goals of their own to take their first lead of the game. Dominic Osman got his first of the night at 7:24 just after a Rayz penalty expired. Minutes later at 9:43 Craig MacDonald picked off a Rayz pass in the Corpus zone and beat Jason Tapp all alone to tie the score 3-3. The Scorps then took their first lead while shorthanded. Osman batted home a rebound chance on a two-on-two at 17:41 to complete the huge period for New Mexico. The Scorps outshot the Rayz 18-10 in the period.

The teams traded early goals in the third. Ray Ortiz made it 5-3 Scorps just 28 seconds into the frame. Powell answered with his second of the game shortly after that on a power play at 2:34. Corpus Christi had two late power plays and pulled Tapp for an extra attacker but could not find the equalizer and the Scorps held on for the 5-4 win.

Tapp took the loss, making 40 saves on 45 shots as his record dropped to 8-12-2. Minard got the win, and improved to 7-5-2, turning aside 27 of 31 shots. The Rayz went 2-5 on the power play, and the Scorps were 1-6. The Scorpions outshot the Rayz 45-31.

The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade of hockey in South Texas. Individual game tickets are currently available. Get your Rayz tickets today at www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet or the American Bank Center. Rayz group discounts are also available. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2007


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