Watters Leads Corpus Christi Past Arizona, Rayz Tie Series 3-3

Published on April 10, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


After falling behind three games to two in Arizona, the Corpus Christi Rayz were forced to win back to back games to knock off the Arizona Sundogs in their Southern Conference Quarterfinal series. On Tuesday Night, Kevin Watters scored the late game winning goal and added two assists to lead the Rayz halfway through their quest. Watters scored the game winning goal with less than two minutes left as the Rayz topped the Sundogs 3-2 at the American Bank Center and forced Game Seven. The Rayz and Sundogs will return to the American Bank Center for the decisive game Wednesday Night, April 11th at 7:05pm. Rayz playoff tickets are currently on sale, starting as low as $10. Make your plans to join the Rayz for the 2007 Playoffs, presented by the Caller-Times. For ticket information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

Rayz defenseman Todd Paul scored the opening goal of the game for the second straight contest. At 8:09 on the power play, Paul blistered a slapshot from the top of the left circle that beat Mike Wall as Jason Baird set a screen in front of the net. Geno Parrish and Kevin Watters assisted on the lone goal of the period. Arizona outshot Corpus Christi 13-9 in the frame and the Rayz took a lead into the first intermission for the first time this series.

The Rayz matched their largest lead of the series early in the second when Jason Baird picked up a loose puck while turning towards the net and snapped a shot past Wall to give the Rayz a 2-0 advantage. The Rayz then turned in a terrific penalty killing display, keeping Arizona scoreless on parts of five power plays in the middle frame. However, shortly after the Sundogs eighth failed PP chance, David Svagrovsky blasted a shot past Ron Vogel from the left circle at 16:25 to get Arizona on the board. The Rayz maintained their one-goal lead into the third, but Arizona outshot Corpus Christi 15-7 in the frame.

In the third, Arizona's Brent Kelly scored for the sixth straight game on a rebound at 4:38 to tie the score 2-2. However, with time winding down, the Rayz would again dig deep for a clutch goal and leading playoff scorer Kevin Watters stepped up as the hero. At 18:18 Watters banked a shot from the corner off the back of Wall and into the net. The Rayz held on for the win and forced Game Seven on Wednesday Night.

Vogel, who improved to 3-3 on the playoffs, was brilliant again, making 36 saves on 38 shots. Wall made 25 saves on 28 shots and fell to 3-3. The Sundogs outshot the Rayz 38-28. Corpus Christi went 1-5 on the power play and Arizona went 0-9.

Game Seven will be at the American Bank Center on Wednesday Night at 7:05pm. The winner of the game will travel to face the New Mexico Scorpions on Friday Night, April 13th in Game One of the Southern Conference Semi-Finals, while the loser will take on the Laredo Bucks in the other Semi-Final series, beginning Monday, April 16th. The Rayz are back in the post-season and you can be a part of all the action. Call the Rayz for ticket info at (361) 814-PUCK. For more information or to request seats, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

Southern Conference Quarterfinals - #3 Corpus Christi Rayz vs. #4 Arizona Sundogs

Game 1 - Friday, March 30th, 7:05pm, Corpus Christi, 4 Arizona, 3 F

Game 2 - Saturday, March 31st, 8:05pm, Arizona, 3 Corpus Christi, 2 F

Game 3 - Wednesday, April 4th, 9:00pm, Arizona, 5 Corpus Christi, 1 F

Game 4 - Friday, April 6th, 9:00pm, Corpus Christi, 4 Arizona, 3 F

Game 5 - Saturday, April 7th, 9:00pm, Arizona, 5 Corpus Christi, 2 F

Game 6 - Tuesday, April 10th, 7:05pm, Corpus Christi, 3 Arizona, 2 F

Game 7 - Wednesday, April 11th, 7:05pm, Arizona Sundogs @ Corpus Christi Rayz

* If Necessary

All Times Listed are CST

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



Central Hockey League Stories from April 10, 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