Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - IceRays draw first blood, 6-1

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Wednesday, March 29, 2000

IceRays draw first blood, 6-1
Corpus Christi blitzes Buzzards in playoff opener
By Mark Button
Caller-Times

John Kennedy/Caller-Times

IceRays forward Jody Praznik (left) watches his shot sail past El Paso defender Rob Haddock (center) and goalie Danny Lavoie during the IceRays' 6-1 playoff victory over the Buzzards on Tuesday.

The IceRays are a victory away from winning their first playoff series in franchise history.
   So is their coach, Taylor Hall.
   IceRays forward Kurt Wickenheiser scored three goals Tuesday to lead Corpus Christi to a 6-1 victory against El Paso in Game 1 of the Western Professional Hockey League President's Cup playoffs at Memorial Coliseum.
   The best-of-three-games series switches to El Paso for Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at 8:11 p.m.
   Hall and the IceRays have never won a playoff series. Hall's New Mexico Scorpions lost to Central Texas, four games to two, in 1996-97 and the IceRays, under Hall, lost to Lake Charles last year, three games to one.
   While Corpus Christi got its offense Tuesday from Wickenheiser, Tobin Praznik (a goal and three assists) and Geoff Bumstead (three assists), goalie Eddy Skazyk - who stopped 31 of 32 El Paso shots, including all 26 Buzzards shots after the first period - deserves much of the credit for the victory.
   Skazyk's best stop may have come midway through the third period when he made a skate save on a breakaway effort by El Paso's Martin Menard. Also intregal to the IceRays was the defensive effort. Once Corpus Christi had secured a comfortable 3-1 lead, Hall's defensemen clamped down on the Buzzards, not allowing the El Paso forwards room or time to set up quality scoring chances.
   The IceRays took a commanding 4-1 lead after two periods and added to their total with a pair of goals in the third.
   Corpus Christi forward Brad Wingfield made it 5-1 with a one-timer goal, set up by Layne Roland, with 6:40 to play. Less than a minute later, Wickenheiser scored his third goal to complete his hat trick.
   Wickenheiser's second goal gave the IceRays a 3-1 lead 8:38 into the second period. A little more than seven minutes later, Tobin Praznik scored an even-strength goal to stretch the lead to 4-1.
   Tobin Praznik's goal was the fourth consecutive goal after El Paso took an early 1-0 lead.
   Corpus Christi led, 2-1, at the first intermission thanks to goals by Wickenheiser and Jody Praznik.
   The Buzzards got the board first when Blake Sheane scored a power play goal 6:33 into the game. Sheane beat Skazyk with a soft wrist shot that trickled between Shazyk's legs to give El Paso a 1-0 lead.
   Wickenheiser responded with a power play goal set up by linemates Tobin Praznik and Bumstead. Tobin Praznik fired a centering pass to Wickenheiser, who was set up in the slot, and Wickenheiser slammed home the IceRays' first playoff goal this season.
   Jody Praznik then scored a rebound goal to give Corpus Christi a 2-1 lead at the 15:42 mark of the first period. Lavoie first stopped Cory Johnson on a one-timer from Dustin McArthur. Lavoie then stopped Praznik's first rebound attempt before Praznik beat the El Paso goalie, top shelf, for the go-ahead goal.
   EL PASO 1 0 0 -- 1
   CORPUS CHRISTI 2 2 2 -- 6
   First Period - 1, El Paso, Blake Sheane (Hanson), 6:33, (pp). 2, Corpus Christi Kurt Wickenheiser (T. Praznik, Bumstead), 11:24, (pp). 3, Corpus Christi, Jody Praznik (Johnson, McArthur), 15:42. Penalties - Peterson, EP (obstruction tripping), 3:56; Olsen, CC (interference), 4:36; Haddock, EP (holding), 7:35; Menard, EP (high-sticking), 9:58; Johnson, CC (holding), 11:33.
   Second Period - 4, Corpus Christi, Wickenheiser (Bumstead, T. Praznik), 8:38, (pp). 5, Corpus Christi, Tobin Praznik (Olsen, Bumstead), 16:32. Penalties - Sheehan, EP (delay of game), 7:28; Roland, CC (hooking), 10:27; Wingfield, CC (elbowing), 18:38; Wickenheiser, CC (obstruction holding), 18:57.
   Third Period - 6, Corpus Christi, Brad Wingfield (Roland, Ross), 13:20. 7, Corpus Christi, Wickenheiser (T.Praznik, Doherty), 14:04. Penalties - El Paso bench (too many men on ice), 9:03; Quinnell, CC (slashing), 19:51.
   Shots on goal - El Paso 7-16-10 33. Corpus Christi 14-18-7 39. Goalies - El Paso, Danny Lavoie (0-1-0). Corpus Christi, Eddy Skazyk (1-0-0). A - announced sellout, 3,510. Referee - Matt Biolata.


Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com

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