(11-17-07)

RAYZ FALL TO KILLER BEES 6-4

SECOND PERIOD BURST LEADS VALLEY PAST CORPUS

A four-goal second period including a very controversial Nick Warriner goal propelled the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees past the Corpus Christi 6-4 on Saturday Night at the Dodge Arena. Despite the Rayz outchancing and outshooting the Bees throughout the evening, the Bees never trailed en route to their second consecutive win over the Rayz. Warriner’s goal came after Rayz netminder Jason Tapp had been knocked down on the play and led to the ejection of Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae. The Rayz never rebounded and fell to 2-8-1 on the year. They will continue their five-game road trip on Tuesday Night in Bossier-Shreveport at 7:05pm. The Rayz return to the American Bank Center next Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale now. Call 361.814.PUCK for more information.

The Rayz came out of the gates and played an inspired opening period of hockey. The Rayz were able to create chances through the frame with solid offensive pressure and sustained time in the Killer Bees zone. However, the Rayz were not able to convert on their chances and went through the frame scoreless. Rio Grande Valley was able to score the lone goal of the opening stanza when Dennis Maxwell created a turnover in the Rayz zone and slid a shot along the ice under Jason Tapp’s right arm at 7:14. The Rayz outshot the Bees 7-6 but trailed 1-0 after one period.

The second period was a wild, goal-filled frame. The Bees made it 2-0 on a two-on one rush that ended with David Masse scoring from the slot at 2:21. The Rayz got on the board just after that at 3:52 when John Jankus jammed home a rebound off the end boards on a power play. Then came the turning point of the game at 6:43. Immediately after a Rayz power play, Jason Tapp got run into and knocked down to the left of the net and Rio Grande Valley’s Nick Warriner found a loose puck in the slot and buried it into the empty net. The Rayz protested the goal due to the contact with Tapp, however nothing was called. After referee Zac Wiebe refused to give Rayz Head Coach, Ken McRae an explanation of the non-call, McRae began repeatedly slamming the bench door to get Wiebe to come over to him. Instead, Wiebe ejected McRae and assessed the Rayz a bench minor. Following McRae’s ejection, the Bees made it 4-1 when Jared Silver scored his first professional goal on a two on one rush with Masse at 9:51. The Rayz got back within a pair on a beautiful power play goal by Kevin Watters. Watters sprung down the left wall and past a Bees defenseman before lifting a shot top shelf over Jeff Van Nynatten at 12:06. The Bees capped the scoring with Rob Voltera’s power play goal from the left circle at 17:10. The teams combined for six goals and a coach ejection in the second period alone. The Rayz outshot the Bees 15-7 in the period, but trailed 5-2 heading into the final period.

The Bees made it 6-2 on a Maxwell goal at 6:24 of the final frame. After that the Rayz looked to spark a comeback with two goals in 62 seconds. Adam Hogg scored at 8:26 to make the score 6-3 and then Justin Quenneville tallied on a power play at 9:28. However, despite a season-high 22 shots in the third period, Corpus Christi could get no closer. The Bees hung on for the 6-4 win.

Tapp made 19 saves on 26 shots and fell to 2-6-1 taking the loss. Van Nynatten won his second straight and improved to 2-3-2 with the win, turning aside 40 of 44 shots. The Rayz went 3-10 on the power play and the Bees were 1-6. The Rayz outshot the Bees 44-25. The Rayz fell to 0-6 on the road for the season.

Corpus Christi will continue their season-long, five-game road trip on Tuesday Night in Bossier-Shreveport at 7:05pm. The game can be heard in Corpus Christi on the Rayz flagship radio station ESPN 1230AM or online via the Rayz website at www.ccrayz.com. Fans can also view most games online for free via the CHL Network. For more information, please visit www.nifty-tv.com/chl.

The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade of hockey in South Texas. Individual game tickets are currently available. Get your Rayz tickets today at www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet or the American Bank Center. Rayz group discounts are also available. For more information, please call the Rayz at 361.814.PUCK.

Corpus Christi Rayz - Celebrating 10 Years and Counting in South Texas

Copyright © 2006 Corpus Christi Rayz, All rights reserved.
Visit us online at www.ccrayz.com