SHREVEPORT, LA. – The Corpus Christi IceRays (12-13-1-3) scored five-unanswered goals including four goals in the third period to take home a 5-1 win against the Shreveport Mudbugs (16-8-0-1) on Saturday night in George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum. The IceRays take three of four points on the weekend and sole possession of fourth place heading into the holiday break.
The Mudbugs controlled possession for a majority of the opening period, but like the previous games between these two teams play stayed tight throughout the frame. At 14:23, the scoring started when Mudbugs forward Brendan Van Sweden knocked in a rebound chance in front of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
The IceRays did answer right back with the game’s next goal coming in the second period. IceRays forward David Thomson received a pass from behind the net from Andy McGlynn, and on a second opportunity shifted the puck into the top of the net at 3:27 to tie the game, 1-1. The home side nearly earned the go-ahead goal before the midway point of the period, but a dislodged net allowed a shot to go between the pipes so it was disallowed and kept the game even.
Momentum and play went into the IceRays’ favor in the third period, and the game started to unravel for the Mudbugs. At 2:58 of the third period, IceRays forward Brad Power snuck a shot underneath the crossbar while on the power play off a faceoff draw to edge ahead 2-1. On the IceRays’ next power play at 4:45, center Mason Krueger spun a shot from the slot through the netminder to double the lead, 3-1. Home fans gained a rise at 12:17 of the frame when Mudbugs defenseman Dominick Procopio and IceRays center Cole Filler dropped the gloves, but the crowd was quieted from then on. At 17:01, IceRays forward Brendan Miller jammed in a goal from just outside the post to move the lead to three, and Power sealed the win with an empty net goal at 17:38 while moving the score to its 5-1 final.
IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka (7-10-2) earned the win, stopping 17 of 18 shots, while Mudbugs netminder John Roberts (7-5-1) picked up the loss, turning away 25 of 29 shots. The IceRays return home following the holiday break on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7:05 p.m. to open a two-game set against the Shreveport Mudbugs. Tickets are available at www.Ticketmaster.com and the American Bank Center Box Office. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsJuice.com, Hockey TV and 87.7FM in-arena.
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