The IceRays return home after a week away in New Mexico to face off against the El Paso Rhinos. This will be the Rhinos first ever trip to American Bank Center. Saturday is also the IceRays 13th annual Stars & Stripes Night.
The IceRays traveled to New Mexico to face off against the Ice Wolves last weekend. New Mexico got the better of the Rays on Friday, but the IceRays came away with a series split thanks to a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Last weekend in New Mexico was filled with firsts for Corpus Christi. During the IceRays win on Saturday night, Michael Casey scored his first goal with the team on a back-hand wrap-around goal in the first period. In the second period, the IceRays lead was extended to 3-1 thanks to Texan Cole Helm’s first goal with the team. The win on Saturday was the first for goaltender Stefan Carnery. Also, the win in New Mexico became the IceRays first road win of the season.
The Rhinos swept the first ever series between the two teams in October winning 7-4 and 2-1 in El Paso. The Rhinos joined the NAHL this season, so the IceRays are 0-2-0 all time against El Paso.
The brand new team to the league, El Paso, got off to a hot start going 3-1 in the NAHL Showcase. Since the showcase, however, the Rhinos have struggled going 3-6-1. The one win that did not come against the IceRays came against the first place Odessa Jackalopes on Saturday. The Rhinos enter the weekend in a tie for seventh place in the division and only a point back of Corpus Christi.
IceRays fans can watch this weekend’s games against the Rhinos on HockeyTV or listen to the games on Brewster Street Radio. Drew Steele will provide play-by-play coverage of the games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm both nights.