The Buck Stops Here

Published on January 23, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi- After a two-day break in lieu of the All-Star Game, the Corpus Christi Rayz return to the ice tomorrow night at Memorial Coliseum for a big divisional battle with the Laredo Bucks. It will be the Bucks' first trip to Corpus Christi since November 15, a 5-4 win. Including that night, Laredo has taken five straight games against the Rayz as the two teams battle for the first ever Mayor's Cup, awarded to the winner of the season series.

The Rayz have been hot as of late, winners of eight out of their last 11 games, and have the reigning Central Hockey League Goaltender of the Week in Brent Belecki. Belecki is 10-6 in his last 16 starts with a 2.12 goals against average and a .934% save percentage. Belecki is also three wins shy of tying the Rayz single-season record for wins by a goaltender held by Jason Genik and teammate Eddy Skazyk. The Rayz are currently tied in the points race with the Lubbock Cotton Kings for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Each team has 41 points but Lubbock also has two games in hand over the Rayz.

The Rayz are a little banged up though as centers Russell Hogue and Shaun Fairweather are dealing with nagging injuries, and are doubtful for tomorrow night's game. As a precautionary measure, the Rayz will sign center Roger Lewis to a contract tomorrow. Lewis was in training camp with the Rayz back in October and played in one game this season with the El Paso Buzzards. For his professional career, Lewis has 31 goals and 65 assists in 251 games over a span of five years

Meanwhile Laredo comes to the Coastal Bend with a record of 23-11-4 and 50 points, good for second place in the Southeast division. The Bucks have outscored the Rayz 32-17 in the last five games while their top line of Eric Schneider, Dave Gilmore, and Chris Grenville has combined to score 16 goals and 20 assists in seven meetings this season. Laredo also beefed up their offense this week acquiring Jeff Petruic from Wichita on Tuesday in exchange for defenseman J.F. Picard. Petruic has 19 goals and 16 assists in 37 games this season. Last year Petruic enjoyed a career-best year with Asheville (ECHL) tallying 57 goals and 57 assists. The Bucks, however, are just 1-2 at Memorial Coliseum this season.

Per tradition, the Rayz will wear their black uniforms for the remaining 25 home games this season.

Doors open tomorrow night at 6PM and face-off is scheduled for 7:05PM. Tickets are available at the Rayz office at (361) 814-7825 or at the box office at Memorial Coliseum after 5PM tomorrow. Tickets are also sale through Ticketmaster at (361) 881-8499.

For more information about tomorrow night's game and the signing of Roger Lewis, contact Director of Public Relations and Media Broadcasting Dan Weiss at (361) 814-7825.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2003


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