CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Corpus Christi IceRays lost to the Lone Star Brahmas by a 3-1 final Friday at American Bank Center.
With their win against the IceRays (13-23-3-3, 32 pts.), the NAHL-leading Brahmas improved to 32-8-0-1 (65 pts.) on the season.
Lone Star defenseman Matthew Rickard opened the scoring with a shot from the left point 11:35 into the game. Brahmas forward Joey Baez made it 2-0 under three minutes later with his NAHL-leading 27th goal of the season.
Thomas Daskas improved the visitors’ lead to 3-0 with a tally on the power play at 11:54 of the second period. The IceRays appeared to have scored about 12 seconds later, but the goal was disallowed due to the puck crossing the line after a whistle.
Corpus Christi’s Stephen Kyrkostas scored from the side of the crease at 8:18 of the third period to get the IceRays on the board. The goal was the first allowed by the Brahmas in nearly three games (175:56) dating back to last Friday.
Netminder Jeremy Forman was pulled late in the game in favor of an extra attacker, and the IceRays quadrupled the Brahmas in third-period shots, 12-3, but the game remained a 3-1 score until the final horn.
The IceRays and Brahmas rematch Saturday, Jan. 25 at American Bank Center at 7:05 p.m. Saturday’s game is IceRays mascot Stinger Ray’s birthday celebration and also features a Stellar Energy warm-up jersey auction benefitting Mission of Mercy.
IceRays tickets are on sale at the American Bank Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. IceRays games, home and away, can be heard live on Sports Radio Corpus Christi 1230 AM-95.1 FM-96.1 FM (KSIX-AM/FM) and mixlr.com/icerays, and can be viewed on HockeyTV (HD iPPV). For more information on the IceRays, or to purchase tickets, visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK (7825). Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).