CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - With their first two picks of the United States Hockey League draft, Tri-City picked up a forward along with a goaltender. Jalen Schulz became the first defenseman that the Storm added to their 2013 draft list as he was selected in the 4th round, 47th overall.

 

"We would like to congratulate Jalen," said head coach Justin Quenneville. "He is deserving of the attention and he is another installment of the product our organization strives to develop."

 

Schulz was the 15th defender overall picked in the draft and the 4th from the North American Hockey League. In the course of 48 games played in the regular season, the Cambridge, Minnesota native scored five goals and added eight assists while racking up 57 penalty minutes.

 

"It's a great feeling," Schulz said. I've heard a lot of great things about the Storm. They have a great organization with a history of moving players on to college and pro levels as well.

 

In the course of a 12 seasons of Tri-City Storm hockey in the USHL, they have moved on 108 athletes to pursue a collegiate career at their desired institutions.

 

Quenneville directed the credit to assistant coach Jeff Worlton and strength/ conditioning coach Jeff Paluseo. "They did a tremendous job working with Jalen on and off the ice this season. He has all the makings of being a high level player over the course of his career."

 

Eight players in Storm history have taken the ice at least once in the National Hockey League including Bill Thomas (Phoenix Coyotes), Steve Wagner (St. Louis Blues), Jack Hillen (NY Islanders), Peter Mannino (NY Islanders), Christian Hansen (Toronto Maple Leafs), Scott Parse (LA Kings), Jared Palmer (Minnesota Wild), and Jaden Schwartz (St. Louis Blues).

 

I can't thank the IceRays organization enough." Schulz finished by saying. I also want to personally thank coach Quenneville, Worlton, and Paluseo for everything they have done to help."

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - After finishing out his North American Hockey League career by leading the IceRays in total points, Rudy Sulmonte has been named to the NAHL All-South Division Team for the 2012-2013 season.

 

The Levittown, New York native played in all 64 games this season including the playoffs scoring a total of 70pts (29 goals & 41 assists) for the IceRays in his only season with the team.

 

"Rudy is a dynamic player who was a key component to the team's success this past season and playoff run," said head coach Justin Quenneville.

 

Sulmonte began his junior hockey career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League picking up 12 goals and 8 assists in 49 games during the 2010-2011 season.

 

"I would like to thank the IceRays, my teammates, and coaches for all helping me achieve this award," Sulmonte said. "It means a lot and I couldn't have done it without them."

 

The following year, the right-handed forward landed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Moncton Wildcats to start the year before moving to the United States Hockey League where he suited up for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 14 games. The Fairbanks IceDogs then traded for Sulmonte for their playoff run last year and he scored 5 goals and added 7 assists in just 16 regular season games. During the race for the Robertson Cup, Sulmonte notched 7pts in nice games before heading to Corpus Christi this past year.

 

"He is an underrated player who sees the ice very well," Quenneville added. "He was counted on in several different situations. Congratulations to Rudy on his accomplishment from the entire organization."

 

The power-play was one of those situations that Quenneville spoke of about the veteran as Sulmonte tallied 24 of his 70 points while the IceRays were on the man advantage.

 

During the year, Sulmonte had several point streaks, none of which were bigger than finishing out the regular season recording points in nine of his last ten games. He totaled 19pts in the span of ten games. In February he had a seven game streak halted against Odessa finishing with 13pts during the run.

 

The other players selected to the All-South Division Team were...

 

Forward: Kyle Sharkey, Topeka RoadRunners

Forward: Sean Gaffney, Topeka RoadRunners

Defenseman: John Rey, Amarillo Bulls

Defenseman: Nick Neville, Texas Tornado

Goaltender: Paul Berrafato, Amarillo Bulls

 

The NAHL awards season is just underway. The remainder of the NAHL 2012-13 season awards, including the All-NAHL Team, Forward of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Brian's Goaltender of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Organization of the Year, along with the Academic Achievement Award, Community Service Award and Mark Messier Leadership Award winners, will be announced in the near future.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Charles Baldwin tied the game for the IceRays in the final period of play but goals by Hampus Gustafsson and Mike Davis sealed a 5-3 victory, ending the series and the IceRays season in Game 4 on Wednesday night inside the American Bank Center.

 

The Bulls struck early in the first period on a bounce that landed right on the stick of Tyler Deresky who went in all alone on Hayden Stewart. Deresky's backhand attempt squeaked by Stewart but Dan McNamara was waiting to tap the puck over the line for a 1-0 lead just 1:10 into the game.

 

At 4:04 of the second period Brandon Smith tied the game for the IceRays as Luke McDiarmid centered a pass for Smith who buried his first goal of the playoff with the other assist going to Nick Monfils.

 

The IceRays took the lead exactly nine minutes later when Grant Hutton took a shot from the right point that was padded aside by Bulls goaltender Paul Berrafato. The round however went right to an awaiting Emil Romig, backhanding his second of the playoff in for a 2-1 Corpus Christi lead.

 

Amarillo picked up two quick goals to regain the lead they held to start the period. John Rey, while on the power-play, notched his third goal in two games at 15:29 of the second to tie the game. The only assist was given to Omar Mullan.

 

Just 18 seconds later the Bulls took the lead as Tyler Deresky took the puck off an interception and beat Hayden Stewart unassisted for a 3-2 Amarillo lead after two periods.

 

In the final period of play the IceRays evened the score off the stick of Charles Baldwin who just pushed the puck over the goal line behind Paul Berrafato on the power-play with assists to Perry D'Arrisso and AJ Jarosz at 4:51 of the third.

 

Hampus Gustafsson scored the first goal of the series and picked up the game winner in Game 4 beating Hayden Stewart over his right shoulder at the 9:09 mark to put Amarillo in the lead for good 4-3.

 

To finish out the scoring, Mike Davis went between the legs of Stewart on a breakaway to push the Bulls out to a 5-3 lead, which would also be the final score.

 

Hayden Stewart stopped 37 shots in the loss.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Rudy Sulmonte provided two goals for the IceRays, who mounted another third period comeback however, the Amarillo Bulls picked up two goals of their own from captain John Rey and won Game 3 by a 5-3 margin to take a 2-1 lead in the best of five series.

 

Mike Economos had the game's first good chance as he received a pass in the slot just 15 seconds into the game but first the puck just wide of the right post by Paul Berrafato.

 

Amarillo struck first with just 2:41 left in the opening period. Bulls defenseman Garret Peterson took a shot from the right point that was deflected by Ryan Cole behind Hayden Stewart for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Cole's first of the playoffs with the other assist going to Omar Mullan.

 

In the second period, John Rey took a pass from Tyler Deresky and sent a puck on net from the left point the went off the inside of the left post and into the net at the 2:49 mark and Amarillo took a two goal lead.

 

The IceRays responded on the power-play at 3:45 of the second period as Rudy Sulmonte buried a rebound by Bulls goaltender Paul Berrafato for his first of the playoffs and Corpus Christi split the Amarillo lead in half 2-1. The assists were credited to Emil Romig and John Roisum.

 

Corpus Christi caught a bad bounce as TJ Sherman sent a floating shot to the net that deflected and trickled by Hayden Stewart regaining the Bulls their two goal lead, unassisted, at the 10:25 mark of the second period for a 3-1 lead.

 

The NAHL regular season champions took a 4-1 lead while on the power-play as Brady Ferguson hit Geoff Fortman with a pass and a wide open net for his first of the playoffs with just 1:48 remaining in the period. The other assist credited to Ryan Cole.

 

Just like the first two games of the series, Corpus Christi stormed back in the third period and it started with some luck as Brandon Berkley sent the puck on net from the goal line. Paul Berrafato had it deflect off the inside of his right leg and into the net just 23 seconds into the final period as the Rays' trailed 4-2.

 

Corpus Christi had a great chance short-handed as Charles Baldwin went in on a breakaway but Paul Berrafato made the save and that would be key in the final outcome.

 

The IceRays struck on the power-play though as Rudy Sulmonte picked up his second goal of the game at 13:28 on another rebound goal assisted by Mike Economos and Emil Romig providing a one goal deficit for Corpus Christi at 4-3.

 

However on a delayed penalty call, John Rey scored his second of the game to seal the 5-3 victory and the Bulls took a 2-1 series lead in the best of five semifinal matchup.

 

Hayden Stewart denied 36 of 41 Amarillo shots in the loss.

 

 

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AMARILLO, TX - The Corpus Christi IceRays scored three goals in the third period to mount a comeback, however the Amarillo Bulls picked up four goals in the first and added two more in the final 40 minutes of play en route to a 6-3 victory inside the Amarillo Civic Center to even the series up at one game apiece.

 

Amarillo's first goal came at 6:52 of the first period as Brady Ferguson scooped up a rebound after a Ben Myers save and tapped in his first of the playoffs with assists from Dan McNamara and Clint Carlisle and the Bulls led 1-0.

 

Ferguson struck again 21 seconds later as he back-handed a shot by Myers for his second of the night and second of the playoffs as Amarillo quickly moved out to a 2-0 lead.

 

After the IceRays took a penalty, Amarillo converted on the power-play with 4:51 left to go in the as Hampus Gustafsson wristed a shot over the shoulder of Myers with assists credited to Geoff Fortman and John Rey and the Bulls moved out to a 3-0 advantage.

 

In the second period a fluke goal gave the Bulls a 4-0 lead while on the power-play. Gage Christianson fired a shot from the goal line to the left of Ben Myers that hit a body in front and found the back of the net. The assists were from Hampus Gustafsson and Geoff Fortman and the goal came at 7:05 of the second frame.

 

In the third period Corpus Christi started a comeback that began with a Perry D'Arrisso goal as he buried a rebound attempt to put the IceRays on the board just 3:22 into the third with the assists going to John Roisum and Brandon Smith.

 

Dan McNamara answered back for the Bulls with a wrister from the right wing circle beating Ben Myers over his left shoulder and Amarillo moved back out to a four goal lead at 5-1 with 15:08 left in the game.

 

The IceRays responded with two straight goals, both by AJ Jarosz. The first came even strength as Mike Economos dropped a pass back to Jarosz who wired a shot over Paul Berrafato at 8:19 of the third period and the Rays' were back within three goals.

 

Jarosz picked up his second of the game on the power-play beating Berrafato off a great pass from Beau Walker who set Jarosz up for a tap-in goal. The other assist was credited to Wayland Williams and the Rays' trailed 5-3 with 7:27 left in the game.

 

The Bulls tacked on a power-play goal late in regulation courtesy of TJ Sherman and picked up the win to even the series 1-1.

 

Ben Myers stopped 42 shots in the loss.

 

The series returns to Corpus Christi on Tuesday for Game 3 against Amarillo. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Rado APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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AMARILLO, TX - Corpus Christi trailed Amarillo 1-0 after two periods, however Emil Romig tied the game in the third, and Brandon Berkley tallied the game winner with 3:34 left in the game as the IceRays took game one from the Bulls 2-1 backed by 38 saves from Hayden Stewart inside the Amarillo Civic Center on Friday night.

 

Amarillo got on the board in period one as Joe Grabowski took a shot from the right point and sent the puck wide on purpose. The shot deflected off the end wall and went right to an awaiting Hampus Gustafsson who picked up the first goal of the series 6:30 into the game and the Bulls led 1-0.

 

Hayden Stewart kept the IceRays in the game during the second period stopping all 18 shots he faced including two with his stick.

 

The comeback started in the third period at 3:20 when Beau Walker sent a cross ice pass to Emil Romig who marched inside the right wing circle and found a hole in Bulls goaltender Paul Berrafato to tie the game 1-1. The other assist was credited to Wayland Williams.

 

After no scoring for the next 15 minutes it was Brandon Berkley who tallied the game winner with 3:34 left to go in the game. Berkley took a pass down the left wing boards and fired a wrister through the legs of Berrafato to give Corpus Christi a 2-1 lead.

 

The Bulls pulled the goaltender late in regulation however the IceRays held on for a 2-1 comeback win over the NAHL regular season champions.

 

Hayden Stewart denied 38 of 39 shots in the win for Corpus Christi who takes a 1-0 lead in the five game series.

 

The IceRays and Bulls take the ice for Game 2 tomorrow night. Puck drops at 7:00PM, coverage begins at 6:45PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on 91.1FM KSGR, ksgr.org, ustream.com, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Charles Baldwin and Joe Ginley each scored short-handed goals on the same penalty kill as the Corpus Christi IceRays won the regular season finale over the Odessa Jackalopes 8-2 in front of 4,557 fans inside the American Bank Center.

 

Corpus Christi tallied the first goal of the night as Jalen Schulz fired a shot from the top of the offensive circles over the right shoulder of Jackalope goaltender Nick Deery for a 1-0 lead at 6:59 of the game assisted by Beau Walker.

 

The Jackalopes responded just 47 seconds later as Taylor Portner was denied by IceRays goalie Ben Myers. The rebound was kicked right out to Matthew Montemurro who pinched in from the point to bury his 4th goal of the year 7:46 into the contest tying the game at one.

 

Emil Romig continues his scoring streak with his third goal of the weekend while on the power-play. Beau Walker took the puck in the left wing circle and fed it through a screen right to a wide open Romig who had all day to beat Nick Deery for his 16th on the season and the Rays' took a 2-1 lead.

 

Corpus Christi added four goals in the second period that started with a pair of short-handed goals while on the same penalty kill. Joe Ginley walked in all alone beating Nick Deery, unassisted at 6:45 of the second to take a 3-1 lead for the playoff bound IceRays.

 

Just 26 seconds later Charles Baldwin picked up the other short-handed tally on that penalty kill as Rudy Sulmonte banked a shot off the right leg pad of Deery right to Baldwin who fired in his 12th of the year and the IceRays led 4-1.

 

Sulmonte picked up a goal of his own at the 15:38 point of the middle frame as Nick Monfils hit Charles Baldwin with a great pass throught the neutral zone. Baldwin back-handed the puck over the defender right to Sulmonte for his 28th goal of the year pushing Corpus Christi to a four goal lead, 5-1.

 

With 1:23 remaining in the second period AJ Jarosz moved down the left wing boards and sent a wrister on net that squeezed its way through the legs of Nick Deery and the IceRays took a 6-1 lead after 40min of play.

 

In the final period of the regular season Ryan McNeely tallied his 3rd with the IceRays and 5th overall with assists from Jarosz and Grant Hutton at 6:10 of the third period and Corpus Christi now led 7-1.

 

Emil Romig tacked on a goal at 11:36 of the final period off a pass from Mike Economos beating Erick Majerle who replaced Nick Deery and the IceRays took an 8-1 lead just over midway through the third.

 

Odessa tacked on another goal off a Jimmy Peplinski shot it was John Feemster who got the last touch and beat Ben Myers with 6:14 left in the game to pull the Jacks' within six goals.

 

Ben Myers denied 17 of 19 shots in the win.

 

Corpus Christi heads north to Amarillo for a five game series in round one of the NAHL playoffs starting next Friday and Saturday for games one and two.

 

Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on 91.1FM KSGR, ksgr.org, ustream.com, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Mike Economos and Emil Romig each scored twice as Corpus Christi IceRays held off a late push and officially qualified for the 2012-2013 NAHL Playoffs with a 7-5 win over the Odessa Jackalopes in front of 4,655 fans in the American Bank Center on Friday night.

 

Emil Romig put the IceRays on the board at 5:44 of the first period as he took the puck to the front of the net from the right wing corner sliding it behind Odessa goaltender Nick Deery for a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Perry D'Arrisso.

 

A heads up play by Rudy Sulmonte gave the IceRays a 2-0 lead 11:07 into the game. After a Beau Walker shot, Sulmonte picked up the rebound in the left wing circle and found Emil Romig waiting in the slot for his second goal of the period and 14th on the year while on the power-play.

 

Odessa tallied a power-play goal of their own just 46 seconds later as a shot by Corey Hoffman tricked by goaltender Hayden Stewart with the lone assist going to Jimmy Peplinski at 11:53 splitting the IceRays lead in half 2-1. The goal was Hoffman's 4th of the year and 12th point overall.

 

In the second period a Rudy Sulmonte shot was originally stopped by Nick Deery and hopped straight up into the air to an awaiting Charles Baldwin who batted it into the net for his 11th on the year with the second assist going to Nick Monfils at 1:58 of period two to take a 3-1 lead.

 

Grant Hutton gave Corpus Christi a 4-1 lead at the 8:05 mark of the second frame after letting a rocket go from the top of the circle beating Deery on the glove side with the assists to John Roisum and AJ Jarosz. The goal was Hutton's fourth of the year and third in five games.

 

The third period was a crazy one and it started just 30 seconds in as Trace Jablin wired a shot by Hayden Stewart to split the lead in half and Corpus Christi now lead 4-2.

 

Rudy Sulmonte answered back feeding Ryan McNeely with a give-and-go pass who returned it right back to Sulmonte for his 27th of the season and the IceRays regained a three goal 7:17 into the third.

 

Eric Purcell then took a 5min major penalty for kneeing at 9:19 of the third but it was Mike Economos who capitalized beating Nick Deery with a wrister, his second goal of the game, this time short-handed and Corpus Christi took a 6-2 advantage.

 

Odessa then scored three straight goals while Purcell sat in the box in a span of 60sec to pull within a goal. Mike Mezzano who was injured by Purcell responded with a power-play goal at 10:34 to get the Jackalopes within three goals.

 

Just 54 seconds after that, Taylor Portner scored on a wrist shot from inside the left wing circle at the 11:28 mark of the final period, his 11th of the season and Odessa was two goals away from tying the game.

 

Off the next faceoff, Brett Wagner pushed the puck up the right wing side and snapped his 4th goal of the year over the shoulder of Hayden Stewart, just six seconds later, and the Jacks' were one goal away from tying the game.

 

However, Mike Economos provided the insurance with 28 seconds left in the game with his second goal of the evening and the IceRays held on 7-5.

 

Wichita Falls lost at home to Topeka 2-1 which qualified Corpus Christi for the 2012-2013 NAHL playoffs and will face the Amarillo Bulls in round one which begins next Friday and Saturday night in Amarillo.

 

Hayden Stewart stopped 33 of 38 in the win.

 

The IceRays return for the final game of the regular season tomorrow night against Odessa. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The IceRays and Bulls combined for eight goals in the second period and Rudy Sulmonte had two of them, but it wasn't enough as Amarillo scored late to pick up a 5-4 win in front of 3,711 fans at the American Bank Center on Sunday afternoon.

 

In the first period both teams had several scoring opportunities including a Joe Ginley short-handed breakaway that was denied by Bulls netminder Collin Delia with just seconds remaining in the first.

 

In the second period the scoring soared as the two teams combined for eight total goals setting a new season high. It started with Eric Purcell who picked up a loose puck at the top of the circle and tallied his 15th of the year beating Collin Delia at the 2:53 mark.

 

Amarillo responded with an even-strength goal at 4:04 off the stick of Mike Davis, his 28th on the year with assists to TJ Sherman and Matt Sieckhaus and the score was even at one goal apiece.

 

Rudy Sulmonte regained the lead for Corpus Christi with his team leading 25th of the year just 52 seconds after the Davis goal. Sulmonte took a great pass from Nick Monfils at the left wing boards and beat Delia for a 2-1 lead.

 

Amarillo scored the next two goals to take their first lead of the night first courtesy of Tyler Rostenkowski who wristed a shot by Ben Myers from inside the left wing circle after taking a feed from Hampus Gustafsson 6:29 into the second period to even the score at two.

 

While the IceRays were on a power-play, Omar Mullan knocked down the puck and went in on a breakaway beating Myers 8:31 into the period, a short-handed goal, and the Bulls led 3-2.

 

Caleb O'Brien answered with a power-play goal on a scrum in front of the net to tie the game. The puck was gathered by O'Brien who back-handed a soft shot through the screen that made its way through Delia for his 5th of the year and 3rd as an IceRay.

 

The seventh combined goal in the period came on a similar play but from Tyler Gernhofer who back-handed through a screen picking up his second goal in as many games at 14:29 and Amarillo pulled out to another lead, their second of the period 4-3.

 

Just when it looked like the IceRays would go into the 2nd intermission trailing by a goal Emil Romig sent the puck to the front of the net and Rudy Sulmonte got his stick on it beating a sprawling Collin Delia with just 1.6 seconds left in the middle period to tie the game at four all.

 

The Bulls replaced goaltender Collin Delia to start the third with Paul Berrafato and tallied a late goal by Matt Sieckhaus beating Myers over the shoulder from the right wing circle propelling Amarillo to a 5-4 victory and their first sweep of Corpus Christi all season.

 

Ben Myers stopped 36 of 41 shots in the loss. Corpus Christi remains 2pts in front of 5th place Wichita Falls with just two games remaining, both against Odessa this upcoming weekend.

 

The IceRays are home for the final two games of the regular season this weekend as they take on the Odessa Jackalopes. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Rudy Sulmonte and Mike Economos each tallied a goal but it wasn't enough as the Amarillo Bulls picked up a 4-2 victory in front of 4,871 fans inside the American Bank Center on Saturday night.

 

The Bulls got on the board early into the game off a clean face-off win by Matt Sieckhaus. The puck went right onto the stick of Tyler Gernhofer who first a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Hayden Stewart just 3:43 into the game for a 1-0 Amarillo lead.

 

The NAHL leading Bulls took a 2-0 advantage at 12:30 of the first period off of a big scramble in front of the net. The original shot was denied by Stewart but the rebound went right to Hampus Gustafsson who beat the diving Stewart for a 2-0 lead assisted by Dan McNamara and Ryan Cole.

 

Another scrum formed in front of goaltender Hayden Stewart and Carter Penzien back-handed the puck through traffic and found a way to the back of the net for his 9th of the year for a 3-0 lead at 3:23 of the middle period with assists to Hampus Gustafsson and Dan McNamara.

 

Corpus Christi responded with a power-play goal to pull within two goals. Brandon Smith hit Rudy Sulmonte with a back-door feed deflecting the puck by Paul Berrafato at 12:28 with the other assist going to Wayland Williams. The goal was Sulmonte's team leading 23rd of the year and Corpus Christi trailed 3-1.

 

In the third period the Bulls pulled out to a 4-1 lead with 1:48 left in the game as the puck bounced through a screen right to Clint Carlisle who tapped in an easy 14th goal of the year assisted by Omar Mullan and Mike Davis.

 

Mike Economos scored his 13th of the season just 19 seconds later as he wired a shot over the shoulder of Paul Berrafato assisted by Ryan Chiasson to split the lead in half however Amarillo hung on for the 4-2 win.

 

Hayden Stewart denied 35 of 39 shots in the loss.

 

The IceRays are home tomorrow afternoon against the Amarillo Bulls to finish out the series. Puck drops at 3:05PM, coverage begins at 2:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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ODESSA, TX - Grant Hutton scored his second goal of the weekend which turned out to be the game winner as the Corpus Christi IceRays swept the Odessa Jackalopes with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday night inside the Ector County Coliseum.

 

Corpus Christi got off to the start they needed after Hayden Stewart denied two chances, Luke McDiarmid fed Rudy Sulmonte with a pass in the right wing circle. Sulmonte let a wrister go that beat Erick Majerle over the shoulder at 10:49 of the first period to give the IceRays a 1-0 lead.

 

Emil Romig picked up his 13th goal of the year sending the puck to the front of the net from the right wing boards that caromed off a skate and found a way through the legs of Majerle for a 2-0 lead at 12:46 of the opening period. The lone assist was credited to Ryan Chiasson.

 

After missing 17 games with a leg injury, Perry D'Arrisso converted in his first game back. Emil Romig took the puck on the left wing boards and hit D'Arrisso in front of the net who buried his 18th of the year at 13:32 of the first with the other assist going to Rudy Sulmonte. After the goal Odessa replaced Erick Majerle with Nick Deery between the pipes.

 

In the second period the IceRays pulled out to a 4-0 lead when Grant Hutton let a rocket go from the left point that beat Nick Deery between the legs at 3:33 of the period assisted by Brandon Smith.

 

The Jackalopes began a comeback with two straight goals in the second. John Feemster took a shot from the right point that found the back of the net at 5:07 of the middle frame. It was Feemster's second goal of the year assisted by Matt Volonnino and Mike Mezzano.

 

Odessa split the lead in half moments later on the power-play as Perry D'Arrisso sat in the box. Chris Taff took a shot from the left point that was deflected by Dylan Campbell at 5:49 of the second period with the other assist going to Stephen Inman.

 

After two periods the shots were even at 31 aside.

 

In the third period with only 2:37 left in the game Taylor Portner brought Odessa within a goal picking up his 9th of the year deflecting a shot by Hayden Stewart assisted by Dylan Campbell and Anthony Olguin.

 

Corpus Christi held after Andrew Paras picked up an empty net goal, unassisted, with 1:18 left in the game to seal a 5-3 victory.

 

Hayden Stewart stopped 17 of 18 shots in the third period and denied 46 of 49 total in the win.

 

The IceRays return home this Saturday night against the Amarillo Bulls. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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ODESSA, TX - Charles Baldwin and Eric Purcell each scored twice and Ben Myers made 25 saves as the Corpus Christi IceRays with five goals in the third period defeated the Odessa Jackalopes 8-1 on Tuesday night inside the Ector County Coliseum.

 

Odessa got on the board a little over midway through the first period courtesy of Anthony Olguin who wired a wrist shot over the glove of goaltender Ben Myers at 9:11 to put the Jackalopes ahead 1-0. The goal was Olguin's 12th of the year. Assists were credited to Matthieu Audet and Dylan Campbell.

 

Corpus Christi responded while short-handed as Charles Baldwin forced a turnover on the right wing boards. Off the interception, Baldwin walked the puck to the slot and buried his 9th of the year and 2nd in three games beating Jacks' netminder Nick Deery unassisted at 13:41 of period one to tie the game 1-1.

 

It didn't take long for the IceRays to strike in the second period. Just 57 seconds in, Jalen Schulz took a shot from the right point that was stop initially by Nick Deery however Rudy Sulmonte pounded home the rebound, his 23rd of the year to put Corpus Christi ahead 2-1. The other assist was credited to Mike Economos.

 

Brandon Smith put the Rays' up two goals with one of the easier goals he will ever score in his career. Andrew Paras let a shot go from the right point that caromed off of Smith's upper body and behind Nick Deery, into the net for his 12th of the season at 10:21 to put Corpus Christi up 3-1.

 

In the final period Corpus Christi scored five goals starting with Charles Baldwin's second short-handed goal of the night after taking a great pass from Joe Ginley just 2:13 into the third giving the IceRays a 4-1 lead.

 

Beau Walker and Eric Purcell each scored just 14 seconds apart to put Corpus Christi ahead 6-1. Walker scored his 7th of the year assisted by Rudy Sulmonte at 11:16 while Purcell tallied his 13th at 11:30 with the lone assist going to Walker.

 

Grant Hutton gave Corpus Christi a 7-1 lead with a rocket from the right point that went over the right shoulder of goaltender Nick Deery at 12:36 of the third period. The goal was Hutton's 2nd of the season.

 

The final goal of the night came off the stick of Eric Purcell who picked up his second of the period putting the IceRays out to an 8-1 lead with assists from Mike Economos and Ryan Chiasson at 16:28 of the third.

 

Ben Myers stopped 25 of 26 shots in the win including denying Ben Campbell on a penalty-shot late in regulation.

 

The IceRays finish out the series with Odessa tomorrow night. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on 91.1FM KSGR, ustream.com, ksgr.org, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Corpus Christi erased a two goal deficit in the third period and Ben Myers stopped 42 shots as the IceRays completed a comeback win over the Wichita Falls Wildcats with a shootout 5-4 on Saturday night in front of 4,453 fans inside the American Bank Center

 

Wichita Falls capitalized on a lucky bounce to take a 1-0 lead as the puck deflected off the side of the net that right to an awaiting Eliot Grauer who put the Wildcats up 1-0 just 1:29 into the game with his 21st goal of the year.

 

The IceRays tied the game as Rudy Sulmonte buried his 22nd goal of the year assisted by Ryan Chiasson and Brandon Smith at 5:25 of the opening period.

 

The IceRays couldn't bury the puck on a scramble in front of Wildcat goalie Evan Cowley so Chris Knudson picked up the loose puck and took it down ice finding a hole in Ben Myers to put the Cats' up 2-1, unassisted at 7:05 of the first.

 

After no scoring in the second period, Sami Salminen put the Cats' up two goals off of a wrister on the power-play just 20 seconds into the final stanza making it 3-1.

 

Brandon Smith started the comeback at 10:17 of the third with a short-handed unassisted goal knocking the puck out of the air and going on a breakaway beating Evan Cowley top shelf pulling the IceRays within a goal 3-2.

 

Corpus Christi tied the game 3-3 at 12:55 of the third after Beau Walker missed an opportunity the puck went to Eric Purcell who beat a diving Cowley for his 12th of the year.

 

The IceRays kept the pressure on and with five minutes to go in the game took their first lead of the weekend 4-3. Joe Ginley fired the puck from behind the net banking it off the back of Evan Cowley and into the net assisted by Walker and Andrew Paras.

 

Wichita Falls did not give up and tied the game with just 58 seconds left in regulation off the stick of Ben Kucera forcing overtime and eventually a shootout.

 

In the shootout both Eric Purcell and Brandon Smith went upstairs on Evan Cowley while Emil Romig picked up the winner in round four and Corpus Christi earned the extra point.

 

The IceRays now lead by two points over Wichita Falls with eight games remaining and Ben Myers stopped 42 shots in the win.

 

The IceRays are on the road this Thursday and Friday night as they take on the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Puck drops at 7:30PM, coverage begins at 7:15PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on 91.1FM KSGR, ustream.com, ksgr.org, and fasthockey.com.

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Corpus Christi IceRays despite piling 40 shots on net could not overcome two second period goals as the Wichita Falls Wildcats pulled out a 2-1 victory in front of 3,872 fans in the American Bank Center.

 

After no scoring in the first, the Wildcats got on the board in the second period off of a big scrum in front of goaltender Hayden Stewart. After two chances were denied, Ben Kucera picked up the loose puck and first it by Stewart for a 1-0 lead at 5:12 of the middle period. Assists were given to Matt Robinson and Sami Salminen.

 

With under a minute to go Wichita Falls went up 2-0 after Eliot Grauer took a pass through the neutral zone and let a quick snap shot go that found a way through Hayden Stewart with just 40 seconds left in the second period.

 

The IceRays almost split the lead in half with one second left in the period as Luke McDiarmid wired a wrist shot off the pipe as time came to a close.

 

In the third Caleb O'Brien split the Wildcat lead in half 2-1 for Corpus Christi on a shot from the point and found a way through a mass of players and Evan Cowley at 7:13 with assists from Brandon Smith and Rudy Sulmonte.

 

Corpus Christi piled 14 shots on net in the third period however could not tie the game with the net empty as Wichita Falls picked up the 2-1 road win and pulled within 1pt of the IceRays for the final playoff spot in the South Division.

 

Hayden Stewart stopped 30 of 32 shots in the loss.

 

The IceRays are home tomorrow night to finish out the season series in a must win game against Wichita Falls. Puck drops at 7:05PM.

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - IceRays forward Mike Economos will continue his career next year after committing to play collegiate hockey at the start of the 2013-2014 season for two-time MASCAC regular season champion (D3) Plymouth State University.

 

"Mike had the opportunity to visit this past weekend while we off and had a great experience," said head coach Justin Quenneville. "He had several collegiate programs interested in him and he is excited about committing. Plymouth State will be inheriting a quality young man, leader, and two way player who is an asset to our program here. We congratulate him on his decision and now Mike can focus all his attention to our playoff run."

 

The Illinois native came in Corpus Christi in a trade with the Michigan Warriors where he tallied eight goals and nine assists in 51 games last season.

 

"I couldn't be happier with my decision to go to Plymouth State next year," said Economos. "They have an amazing coaching staff and team that has been to the conference championship the past two years, and have a chance to go every year. They have a brand new rink that has an unbelievable atmosphere come game time which is just a plus to how well they are treated there."

 

This year with the IceRays Economos improved immensely recording 10 goals and 14 assists in 49 games so far. In addition to points, Economos leads the team with 122 penalty minutes.

 

"None of this would have been possible without Coach Quenneville, Coach Worlton, and the whole IceRays organization," Economos added. "They have prepared me for the next step in my hockey career and I would like to thank them for that. We have all the tools down here in Corpus Christi to be seen by schools and are treated day in and day out like professionals, which has prepared each one of us for the next step."

 

Plymouth State, two-time MASCAC regular-season champion, finished up its season with a19-7-1 overall record, matching the 1985-86 Panther team (19-7-0) for the most wins in a season before falling in the MASCAC Championship Game.

 

The IceRays are home this weekend as they take on the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Former IceRays goaltender Anthony Stolarz added another check mark to his wish list after signing an entry level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers just eight months after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

 

The Flyers announced on Friday that Stolarz, currently the goaltender for the London Knights in the OHL has signed an entry level contract that will begin at the start of the 2013-2014 season.

 

"On behalf of the IceRays organization we would like to congratulate Anthony and his family on signing with the Flyers, said IceRays head coach Justin Quenneville. "This is a huge step in his career and a great opportunity moving forward. Anthony was a special player last year in our organization, and his continued hard work has earned him every opportunity ahead of him."

 

With Corpus Christi, the 6ft 5in goaltender played 50 games in the 2011-2012 season going 23-22-4 with a 2.84 goals against average and .920 save percentage.

 

During the season Stolarz committed to play at the (D1) University of Nebraska-Omaha where he started this year and played eight total games before signing with the London Knights who leads the OHL with 96pts and have already clinched first place in the Midwest Division.

 

"It's an amazing feeling to sign my entry level contract," said Stolarz. "It's a dream come true and the first step in my journey to play professional hockey. I'm glad my hard work is paying off and I will continue to work at my game so I can get to the next level. I want to thank the IceRays for giving me an opportunity to showcase myself and be seen."

 

The former IceRays netminder has played 16 games with the Knights with a record of 11-2-1, a goals against of 2.14 and a save percentage of .927.

 

Stolarz was invited to the IceRays open camp in Albany, New York before making the team in September 2011. The New Jersey native was noticed at the 2011 NAHL Showcase where he landed a spot on the NHL Central Scouting initial rankings and moved up the list throughout the year. During the season, he committed to play at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The year was capped off at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft where the IceRays goalie was picked in the 2nd round, 45th overall by the Flyers.

 

"We all look forward to the day he steps on the ice in a Flyers uniform," Quenneville finished. "And who knows how soon that could be."

 

The IceRays remain home this weekend as they take on the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Amarillo Bulls scored four goals in the final period of play as the IceRays dropped a 5-1 decision in front of 6,233 fans inside the American Bank Center on Wednesday morning.

 

Ben Myers stopped a penalty-shot in the first period but Amarillo got on the board early in the second frame. Clint Carlisle walked in short-handed and beat Myers at 3:49 to put Amarillo ahead 1-0.

 

Corpus Christi responded with a power-play strike as Wayland Williams tapped the puck to Caleb O'Brien who one-timed it by Paul Berrafato at 7:13 of the second and the two teams went into the second intermission tied at one goal apiece.

 

In the third Amarillo came out swinging as Blake Roubos struck 62sec into the final period to put the Bulls up 2-1.

 

Dan McNamara responded 2:53 later off a great Clint Carlisle pass and the Bulls pulled out to a 3-1 lead.

 

Omar Mullan tacked on the third goal of the period assisted by Connor Frey and Carter Penzien at 11:27 and led 4-1.

 

To finish the scoring, Brady Ferguson added an empty netter with just 42sec left in regulation and Amarillo ended the two game losing streak with a 5-1 win.

 

Ben Myers denied 35 shots in the loss.

 

The IceRays return home next weekend against Wichita Falls.

 

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Goaltender Hayden Stewart stopped 51 shots and Emil Romig picked up a hat-trick as the Corpus Christi IceRays handed the league leading Amarillo Bulls their second straight regulation loss on Tuesday night with a 4-1 win inside the American Bank Center.

 

The opening goal came off the stick of Mike Economos, his10th of the year after Rudy Sulmonte played the puck off the right leg pad of goaltender Collin Delia at 17:39 of the first frame to put the IceRays up 1-0.

 

Later, Hayden Stewart faced a two-on-none short-handed rush going post-to-post to stop the Bulls and keep the game at a 1-0 IceRay advantage.

 

In the middle period, Emil Romig took the puck at the top of the circle and wired it over the shoulder of Collin Delia just 2:!2 into the second assisted by Beau Walker and Eric Purcell to put the IceRays up 2-0.

 

The Bulls got on the board at 17:33 of the second period off a Matt Sieckhaus shot that beat Hayden Stewart over the left shoulder splitting the IceRays lead to 2-1.

 

To end the second period, Corpus Christi fired up the penalty-kill and stopped a two man advantage that Amarillo had to keep the 2-1 lead heading into the 2nd intermission.

 

In the third period, Sulmonte wired another shot off the right leg pad of Delia, this time on to the stick of Emil Romig who recorded his second goal of the game short-handed just 1:56 in and the Rays' led 3-1.

 

To finish it off Romig found the empty net with 1:32 left in the game to cap off the hat-trick and a 4-1 IceRays win.

 

The IceRays are back at it tomorrow morning against Amarillo. Puck drops at 10:05AM, coverage begins at 9:50AM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com to create awareness about the dangers of tobacco with students.

 

One third of all cancers could be eliminated if people stopped smoking cigarettes. That's the message The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will share with 5,000 students from Corpus Christi Independent School District and the surrounding area at American Bank Center Feb. 27.

 

"I love children and am always thinking of ways to enrich their lives," said Gloria Hicks, an MD Anderson Board of Visitors member who has been instrumental in coordinating the event. "Even if only a few listen, we're still saving lives."

 

Local supporters Lana and Barry Andrews, Peggy and Avinash Ahuju, Elinor and Ben Donnell, Phyllis and George Finley, Gloria and Ed Hicks, Glenda and Jerry Kane, Annette and Melvyn Klein and Mike McKinnon have teamed up with American Bank Center, HEB, Stripes, The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation and Whataburger to host the fun and interactive smoking prevention event featuring the Corpus Christi Ice Rays hockey team.

 

Stripes, Whataburger, and HEB will supply vouchers for slushies, french fries and ice cream, American Bank Center has donated its 7,200-seat arena at 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. and local supporters are funding transportation for the students.

 

Activities begin at 9:30 a.m., when the Ice Rays warms up for its game against the Amarillo Bulls. At the first intermission, MD Anderson representatives Karen S. Calabro, Dr.P.H., instructor in behavioral science, and Lauren McCoy, MS, program manager of the Tobacco Outreach Education Program, will present on the dangers of tobacco and ASPIRE (A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience), a program designed by Alexander V. Prokhorov, M.D., Ph.D., to curb tobacco use among teens. Prokhorov, professor of behavioral science, is nationally recognized for his smoking cessation outreach and treatments for teens as well as low-income, multiethnic and uninsured adults. ASPIRE uses animations, videos and interactive exercises to address the dangers of smoking and tobacco use. The web-based, bilingual program has reached nearly 15,000 young users in Texas and around the world.

 

Approximately 5,000 sixth- , seventh- and eighth-grade students from the Incarnate Word Academy and the Corpus Christi, Calallen, West Oso, Tuloso Midway, London and Flour Bluff independent school districts are expected to attend the event.

 

 

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AMARILLO, TEXAS - The Corpus Christi IceRays backed by 29 saves from Ben Myers held on for a 2-1 victory over the league leading Amarillo Bulls inside a hostile Civic Center on Saturday night.

 

Corpus Christi got off to the start they wanted putting quality scoring chances on net. That strategy finally paid off at 13:35 of the first period when Brandon Berkley collected a puck that bounced off the end boards and fired it by a sprawling Paul Berrafato to put the Rays' up 1-0.

 

The lead didn't last long for Corpus Christi as the home team Bulls pulled even off a rebound save by Ben Myers that Gage Christianson snapped top shelf tying the game 1-1 at 14:48 of the first.

 

In the second period Ben Myers stood on his head stopping numerous point blank chances by Amarillo and his play paid off. Corpus Christi regained a one goal lead after a series of turnovers by the Bulls, Eric Purcell walked in all alone deking Paul Berrafato, back-handing the puck into the net at 9:24 to take a 2-1 lead.

 

With under a minute left in the game, the IceRays were given two penalties and the Bulls had a 6-on-3 that they could not convert on and Corpus Christi held on for the 2-1 win.

 

Ben Myers stopped 29 of 30 shots on the night.

 

The IceRays are home Tuesday against Amarillo. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.com.

 

 

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