November 9, 2010 –
Welcome to the first edition of a new weekly column called the “Rays Report,” which will delve into the Corpus Christi IceRays each week throughout the entire 2010-11 North American Hockey Leage (NAHL) season. Before the team heads out on a season-long, seven-game road trip, get caught up with the week that was for the Rays:
LAST WEEK: Corpus Christi played four games, going 1-3-0, all against the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Wichita Falls won both games at the Kay Yeager Coliseum, by scores of 5-4 and 5-0 on October 29 and 30th.
The IceRays returned home to the American Bank Center and snapped a five-game losing streak on November 4th with a 4-2 win over the ‘Cats. Captain Ben Hughes tallied the game-winning goal and Pheonix Copley made 28 saves for his third win of the season.
Wichita Falls won the following night, 4-2, in dramatic fashion as they scored the game-winning goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the third period.
AROUND THE SOUTH DIVISION:Corpus Christi currently sits fifth in the South Division with a record of 7-9-2 (16 points).
THREE SELECTED TO NAHL TOP PROSPECTS TEAM:Three members of the IceRays were selected earlier this week to represent the team at the 2010 NAHL Top Prospects Showcase to be held Dec. 5-7 in Walpole, MA. Forwards Michael Benedict and Beau Walker will join defenseman Kyle Hughes at the three-day event showcasing some of the best talent in the NAHL with collegiate and professional scouts in attendance.
COMINGS AND GOINGS:The IceRays made two roster changes this week. First the team released defenseman Shane Gleason who had five assists in 11 games played for the IceRays. Then, the team announced that it signed defenseman Colton Saucerman from the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Colorado Springs, CO native joined the team in time for the team’s game Friday night against the Wildcats and tallied an assist in his debut.
WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT:
HOT: Michael Benedict, who has three goals and two assists for five points over the last five games.
NOT: Sam Cheraso, who has not recorded a point in his last seven games after recording 11 in the team’s first 11 games this season.
ATTENDANCE IS TOPS IN THE LEAGUE:Corpus Christi leads the entire NAHL with an average attendance of 3,250 fans per game. Through 10 games (8 at the American Bank Center), over 32 Thousand fans have seen Corpus Christi in their first season in the league.
WHAT’S ON TAP?The team will embark on a season-long, seven-game road trip beginning on Friday November 12th and 13th in Frisco, TX against the Texas Tornado with both games beginning at 7:30 PM. The trip will take the team through Frisco, New Mexico, and Wichita Falls. Fans can listen to all the action with the voice of the IceRays, Ryan Holt, beginning 15 minutes prior to the game on the Rays flagship station, News/Talk 1440 AM KEYS. The game is available for free online at www.1440KEYS.comor on the league’s pay-per-view website, www.fasthockey.com.