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NAHL Corpus Christi IceRays

Winning Streak Comes to a Halt as 'Rays Fall 6-1 to Wildcats

December 13, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The three game winning streak came to an end on Friday night as the Wichita Falls Wildcats piled 43 shots on net along with six goals to defeat the Corpus Christi IceRays 6-1 in front of 3,627 fans inside American Bank Center. Sami Pokka had the lone goal in the loss which was his first with the IceRays.

Coming into tonight's matchup, both teams were on a winning streak as the Wildcats won the past two while Corpus Christi took wins in their last three games. The 'Rays power-play was deadly last Saturday and they faced a big test against the third ranked penalty-kill in the league.

The Wildcats broke the scoreless game at the 9:52 mark of the opening period as Andrew Kerr took a shot from the right point that found a way through the screen in front of the net and beat goaltender Ben Myers over his left shoulder for a 1-0 lead. The goal was his first of the year and was assisted by Josh Haverstrom.

The lopsided period continued with only 1:10 left in the opening frame. A shot was denied by Ben Myers however nobody cleared the rebound as it sat to his right side. Kirk Van Arkel picked up the loose puck and lifted it over the right leg pad of Myers for his third goal on the year, unassisted, for a 2-0 advantage after the first period. The shots were 19-10 favoring the Wildcats.

In the second period the IceRays were off to a hot start sending numerous scoring chances on net however a cross-checking call put the Wildcats on the power-play and they converted as Kyle Bauman picked up his 9th goal on the season with an assist from Nick Farmer at the 3:38 mark to take a 3-0 lead over the IceRays.

Just six seconds after that goal, Will Vosejpka took the following faceoff win down the right wing wall and let a harmless wrister go from the blueline that somehow found a way by Ben Myers for his 11th on the season, unassisted for a 4-0 advantage. After the goal, Forbes Ploszaj came in to replace Ben Myers in net.

Corpus Christi got on the board just 36 seconds into the third period. Sami Pokka took the puck down the left wing side and fired off a bullet that went top shelf over the left shoulder of Wildcats goaltender David Zevnik to pull the IceRays within three goals at a 4-1 deficit. The goal was Pokka's first as an IceRay.

It wasn't enough for Corpus Christi though as the Wildcats tacked on two more goals. Nick Farmer scored a 9:29 of the third period for a 5-1 lead while Ben Kucera got in on the scoring with 52 seconds left in the game to increase the lead for the Wildcats by five goals for a 6-1 victory.

Ben Myers stopped 28 of 32 shots before being replaced by Forbes Ploszaj who denied nine of 11 chances.

The IceRays are home as well at American Bank Center tomorrow night as they take on the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

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