BRAHMAS TOP RAYZ 5-2
BIG SECOND PERIOD LIFTS TEXAS PAST CORPUS CHRISTI

One of the Corpus Christi Rayz busiest weeks of the season is in the rear-view mirror.  And for the Rayz it’s a scene they’d rather not look back to.  The Texas Brahmas rode five second period goals to a 5-2 victory Sunday afternoon at the NYTEX sports Center in North Richland Hills, Texas.  The loss for the Rayz was their fourth in a row, all coming this week, and dropped Corpus Christi to 15-21-5. The Rayz lead over the Amarillo Gorillas remained at three points for fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference.  The Rayz return to the American Bank Center for two games next week on Thursday and Friday Night.  Please call 814-PUCK for more information, or visit the Rayz online at www.ccrayz.com

In the first period, referee Paul DePuydt handed out five power plays for the Brahmas – including a two-man advantage for 65 seconds – and only one for the Rayz.  The Rayz were able to kill off the penalties and remain scoreless with Texas through the opening stanza.  The Brahmas outshot the Rayz 7-4.

In the second period the Brahmas took control of the game.  Texas got back to back five on three power plays early in the period and got on the board.  1:03 into the frame, Scott Sheppard scored on a two-man advantage.  At 3:39 of the period a collision with Texas netminder Brett Jaeger and Rayz forward Jon Jankus, knocked Jaeger out of the game.  The Brahmas then made it 2-0 when Justin Kinnunen cut back door and scored at 4:57.  The Rayz got within one when Adam Powell scored at 5:28.  But down the stretch three late Brahmas goals gave them a commanding lead.  Jordan Cameron, Blair Manning and Ty Hennes all scored late in the frame to give the Brahmas a 5-1 lead after two periods.  The Brahmas outshot the Rayz 19-13 in the frame.

Nick Lindberg scored a power goal at 6:36 in the third period to get the Rayz back on the board, making the score 5-2 Brahmas, but that’s as close as the Rayz would get.  The Rayz outshot the Brahmas 10-4 in the final period.
 
Jason Tapp made 22 saves on 27 shots and fell to 15-16-4.  Jaeger made 5 saves on 5 shots, and did not figure into the decision.  David Cacciolla made 21 saves on 22 shots and improved to 15-12-1 with the win.  The Rayz went 1-4 on the power play, and the Brahmas were 2-9.  The Brahmas outshot the Rayz 31-27.