The Corpus Christi Rayz erased an early 3-0 deficit to the Laredo Bucks and pulled off an improbable 5-4 shootout win Sunday in the back end of a two game series between the top two clubs in the Southern Conference. Laredo scored early and often, jumping to a 3-0 lead just 5:03 in on goals by Serge Dube, Leo Thomas and Igor Agarunov. A late first period power play goal by Kevin Wattters cut the deficit to two goals.

While there was no scoring in the second period, there was plenty of action, as tempers flared and a total of 136 penalty minutes were issued at the 11:42 mark, including several game misconducts and ejections to both starting goaltenders. Laredo regained a three goal advantage on Chris Korchinski’s power play goal 60 seconds into the third period, but Corpus Christi refused to lay down quietly, scoring three goals in the final seven minutes to forve overtime.

First, All-Star Justin Quenneville wrested home his 20th of the season at the 13:03 mark. With 2:15 to play Ryan Carter tucked home a loose puck to make the score 4-3, then Carter tied it on a wild scramble with the Rayz net empty for an extra attacker. Laredo’s Jeff Bes nearly ended the contest in overtime, clanging a shot off the post, but the clubs headed to overtime, where Derrick McIver earned credit for the game winning goal with his 15th of the year. The shootout win moves Corpus Christi within nine points of Laredo in the Southeast Division and Southern Conference standings.

CHL Sunday Results

Laredo 4 @ Corpus Christi 5 (SO)
LAR: Thomas, Agarunov, Korchinski, Dube
CRP: Carter (2), Watters, Quenneville, McIver
Carter’s two goals came 1:17 apart late in the third to tie the score

Arizona 0 @ Rocky Mountain 3
ARZ: None
RMR: Noel, Kralj, Weisgerber
SO: Guerrera (33 saves)
David Guerrera records first shutout in Rage history

Bossier-Shreveport 2 @ Austin1 (OT)
BOS: Zirnis, MacPherson
AUS: Smegal
Ninth goal, first game winner of season for MacPherson

Odessa 2 @ Amarillo 3
ODE: Latulippe, Bablitz
AMA: Lipsett (2), Hansen
Sixth straight loss for Jackalopes

Tulsa 3 @ Lubbock 4
TUL: Beauregard, Smoleroff, Rattray
LUB: Strome, Brown, Nosan, Neal
Goals in five straight games from Strome

Colorado 1 @ Oklahoma City3
COL: Hughes
OKC: Burgoyne, Beausoleil, MacLean
Just second time Eagles have suffered back to back losses this season

Memphis 2 @ Wichita 3
MEM: R. Campbell, Sessa
WIC: Blaznek (3)
Five goals in last three games for Blaznek

Rio Grande Valley 0 @ Youngstown 5
RGV: None
YNG: Landolt, Larson, Lardner, Margeson, Christian
SO: Roberts (23 saves)
Second shutout of season for SteelHounds