This afternoon the Ice Wolves faced the IceRays for the final time this season at the American Bank Center. Two nights ago, Corpus ended their 15-game losing streak after beating New Mexico in a six-round shootout, 2-1. New Mexico still has not lost in regulation to Corpus (1-0-1-1).
Just :19 seconds into the opening period and former IceRay, Kennan Johnson was ejected after being assessed a five-minute major for head contact on Aaron Hamel. Ryan Coughlin (13) scored within a minute of the five-minute powerplay for the IceRays. However, New Mexico would kill off the remaining major penalty, giving them momentum going forward. Alex Dominique (10) was able to beat Cal Sandquist 13:04 into the period. Towards the tail end of the period both teams wound up scoring again, resulting in a 2-2 tie after 20 minutes of action. The goal that was scored by New Mexico came off the stick of Michael McCosh (2). Shots after the first favored the IceRays, 13-11.
There was only one goal scorer in the middle period and it was Griffen Sanom (5). It was a perfect tic-tac-toe power-play goal that gave the Ice Wolves their first lead of the game, 3-2. Corpus only managed to get six shots on Garrett Mackay in the middle period. As for the Ice Wolves they put up ten shots on Sandquist.
In the final period of regulation, Corpus only registered five shots. Although, they once again made the Ice Wolves pay while on the powerplay. With the score tied for the third time in game two, New Mexico was doing everything in their power to not let the game go past 60 minutes. Unfortunately, their eight shots in the third period were not enough. Resulting in extra hockey for the second time this weekend.
Due to a late penalty taken in the third period by Corpus, the Ice Wolves started the overtime on the man-advantage. After Corpus killed the penalty it remained 4-on-4 for quite some time. Neither team scored in the OT, sending the game to a shootout once again. This time though it did not require six rounds. Corpus did not register a single shot in overtime. Compared to the Ice Wolves, who put up three. Bringing the final shot total to 32-24. Griffen Sanom and Brandon Holt scored on their shootout attempts, while Ryan Coughlin missed his. Sending the game-winning goal scorer from two nights ago up to the line in hopes to continue the shootout for Corpus. Evan Carroll ended up sailing the puck up high giving New Mexico a 4-3 victory. The Ice Wolves improve to 10-29-2-3 (25pts).
Not only was it the final game for the Ice Wolves at the American Bank Center but also, their final game of their four-week road trip. They end their long road trip with a record of 2-4-1-1. Mackay finished the game with 21 saves. New Mexico will be home next weekend for the first time in a month and will host the seventh place, Odessa Jackalopes. For tickets visit tickets.nmicewolves.com