After spending three days practicing at our affiliate Austin Ice Bats’ arena in Cedar Park, the IceRays hit the road for the second straight weekend in hopes of getting their feet back underneath themselves. The Rays travel to El Paso for a two game set with the Rhinos.
The matchups this weekend will be the fifth and sixth of the season with the Rhinos and the final time the IceRays travel to El Paso this season. The Rhinos have control of the season series against Corpus coming into this weekend as they are 3-1-0 versus the Rays.
The IceRays are in need of points this weekend as they sit in a tie for sixth in the south division with Shreveport at eight points back from a playoff spot. The Rhinos are in a very similar position in terms of need of points. El Paso sits in eighth place in the division eleven points back of the fourth place Amarillo Wranglers.
A new player was named an alternate captain earlier this week. Brady Carlock hits the ice with an A on his jersey becoming the fourth member of the leadership group on the team alongside Kurtas, Merkley, and Dill.
Corpus Christi looks to bounce back after getting outscored 9-1 in Shreveport last weekend. An issue the IceRays are looking to solve from last weekend is their special teams. The IceRays should have plenty of chances on the man advantage as El Paso leads the South Division in terms of penalty minutes. The Rhinos sent Corpus Christi to the power play five times in their last matchup.
The games against the Rhinos are scheduled for puck drop at 7:00 pm local time in El Paso, which means a 8:00 pm start time in Corpus. Coverage for both of the games this weekend can be found on Brewster Street Radio and HockeyTV.