October 19, 2007

The Corpus Christi Rayz opened the 2007-2008 season on Friday Night, falling 3-2 to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. The Rayz got to Bees netminder David Lemanowicz early and often, but the netminder turned aside 41 of 43 shots in his Rio Grande debut to lead the Rayz to victory. The Rayz return to Corpus Christi and will look to exact revenge on Saturday Night, at 7:05pm for the 2007-2008 home opener, presented by Citgo when they host the Killer Bees. Tickets for the opener are currently on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations or the American Bank Center Box Office. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

With all the offensive power on the Rayz roster, it was the unlikely candidate Chris Mei who tallied the first goal of the year to give the Rayz the lead. Mei converted a rebound of a Joe Blanek shot at 3:54 of the opening period to give the Rayz a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, the Rayz nearly doubled their lead, when Kevin Watters struck the post behind David Lemanowicz. The score remained 1-0 for most of the frame, but late in the period the Bees took control. A costly defensive turnover by the Rayz gave Bees forward Adam Edinger the puck all alone in the slot and he beat Jason Tapp on a backhand to tie the score at 18:55. Just 39 seconds later Rob Voltera scored from just outside the crease to give the Bees their first lead of the night. The Bees outshot the Rayz 17-15 in the opening period.

The Rayz tied the score early in the second period when Adam Hogg fed Adam Powell in the slot and Powell one-timed a shot past Lemanowicz’s glove side at 2:28. The Bees recaptured the lead shortly after that when David Masse scored from the right circle after a Nick Warriner rebound hopped right to him. Masse’s second point of the night gave the Bess the lead, and the score remained 3-2 Rio Grande Valley into the third. The Bees outshot the Rayz 13-10 in the period.

The third period featured plenty of offensive chances, however the Rayz could not find the equalizer. The Rayz peppered Lemanowicz with 18 shots, but could not solve him, and the Bees hung on for the 3-2 win. Leamanowicz was stellar in his Rio Grande debut, making 41 saves on 43 shots and earning the win. At the other end, Tapp played very well in his Rayz debut, making 39 saves on 42 shots, but suffered the loss. The Rayz outshot the Bees 43-42. Both teams were scoreless on the power play. The Rayz had five chances and the Bees had three.

The Corpus Christi Rayz will begin the home portion of their 10th Anniversary season, returning to the American Bank Center on Saturday Night at 7:05pm vs. Rio Grande Valley. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations or the American Bank Center Box Office. Don’t miss out on Opening Night, presented by Citgo. The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade along the Gulf Coast and invite all of South Texas to join in the fun of the 2007-2008 campaign. Season tickets and corporate packages are currently available through the Rayz office. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

- Corpus Christi Rayz