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Tough third leaves Rayz with 3-2 loss to Bucks

December 3, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Laredo Bucks scored three third period goals to come from behind and edge the Corpus Christi Rayz 3-2 Sunday afternoon at the American Bank Center. The Rayz played a solid game for much of the night and were tied or leading for over 55 minutes of the contest, but the late surge from Laredo was enough to vault the Bucks past the Rayz in the first game of the home and home set. The Rayz will now turn their attention to a three-game road trip beginning Wednesday morning in Laredo. Corpus Christi's loss capped off an 0-3-1 week, following the Rayz season-high six-game point streak.

The fast-paced first period flew by with only a handful of stoppages in the early part of the frame. Back and forth chances at both ends stemmed from the wide open pace, but the Rayz got the only tally of the frame. At 10:31 Jason Baird moved into the Bucks zone and left the puck for the trailing Matt Turek. Turek skated in and beat Eric Marvin from the right circle to give the Rayz the early lead. Laredo outshot Corpus Christi 9-8 in the opening stanza.

The second period was dominated in shots and scoring chances by the Bucks, but thanks to solid netminding from Rayz goaltender Brent Zelenewich, the Rayz held the Bucks at bay. Laredo outshot Corpus Christi 12-2 in the frame but was unable to solve Zelenewich, and the Rayz maintained their 1-0 lead heading into the third period.

In the third period, the Bucks relentless attack eventually translated into goals as the Bucks struck three times in a 5:10 span. The Bucks got it started when Leo Thomas scored on the power play at 11:32 and tied the game 1-1. Laredo took their first lead just minutes later when Adam Rivet slammed home a puck from the doorstop at 15:44. Just 58 seconds later Ladislav Kouba gave the Bucks a 3-1 lead on a power play goal from the high slot. The Rayz tried to mount a comeback and pulled within one with 14 seconds left when Kevin Watters scored his fifth of the year from the left edge of the crease. However there wasn't enough time left for the Rayz and Laredo held on for the 3-2 win.

The Rayz loss dropped their record to 8-9-3 on the year. The Bucks improved their record to 10-6-2. Zelenewich was solid, but took the loss making 29 saves on 32 shots. His record fell to 2-3-1. Marvin earned the win, making 14 saves on 16 shots improving to 5-3-2. The Rayz were outshot 32-16. Corpus Christi went 0-7 on the power play. Laredo went 2-5. Corpus Christi had their nine-game streak of games with a power play goal snapped.

The Rayz now head on the road for three straight games next week. They will visit Laredo Wednesday morning at 11:00am, before traveling to play Rio Grande Valley on Friday night at 7:35pm and Austin on Saturday at 7:30pm. Corpus Christi will return home versus the Austin Ice Bats on Thursday, December 14th at 7:05pm.

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