NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (30-19-4-5) slipped behind on a power play tally to fall 3-2 to the Lone Star Brahmas (44-14-2-0) on Sunday evening from the NYTEX Sports Centre. The IceRays close the road schedule with a 14-10-2-4 record.
In the Brahmas’ final game of the season, they came out of the gates physical and with a lot of forecheck pressure that landed them the game’s first two goals. At 8:11 of the first period, Brahmas forward Austin Kamer tucked in a rebound to the left of the netminder to jump out to the 1-0 lead. Less than one minute later at 9:03, Brahmas forward Troy York capitalized on a one-time cross-ice feed from the left circle to double the lead, 2-0.
The IceRays were able to break through in a difficult period to gain offensive momentum. IceRays forward Griffin Loughran tucked in a backhanded shot on a rebound at 13:35 to answer and cut the lead in half, 2-1. The Brahmas had five power plays in the second period and converted on one of those chances at 15:28 when forward Pete Kessel knocked in a rebound after an initial save to double the lead, 3-1. The IceRays answered back with their own rebound opportunity on the power play thanks to IceRays center Mason Krueger, who earned his 50th point of the year at 17:17 to draw within one, 3-2.
Play calmed down mightily in the third period, and both teams combined for just seven shots in the frame. However, the Brahmas were able to hold off the IceRays in the final minutes of the game to take the 3-2 regulation win. Brahmas goaltender Max Prawdzik (9-3-1) earned the win, stopping 21 of 23 shots, while IceRays netminder Tomáš Vomáčka (18-13-6) picked up the loss, halting 28 of 31 shots.
The IceRays host their final home weekend of the 2016-17 regular season starting on Friday, Apr. 7 at 7:05 p.m. to open a two-game weekend against the Wichita Falls Wildcats from the American Bank Center. Tickets are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. For groups or suite packages, call the IceRays at 361-814-PUCK. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsJuice.com, Hockey TV and 87.7FM in-arena.
The IceRays are heading to the postseason for the third time, and 2017 Robertson Cup Playoffs tickets will be announced in the coming weeks. For tickets to the final home weekend, call the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).