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Friday, Dec. 11, 1998
IceRays rally late to claim 5-4 win over Central Texas

By MARK BUTTON
Staff Writer

   A sluggish start gave way to a fast finish as Corpus Christi scored three third-period goals to defeat Central Texas, 5-4, in a Western Professional Hockey League Central Division clash Thursday at Memorial Coliseum.
   Twice the IceRays rallied from two-goal deficits to score their fourth victory against the Stampede in as many games. Trailing, 3-2, as the third period began, Corpus Christi found its rhythm - in part thanks to a ill-timed Central Texas spearing penalty - and scored three late goals to take the game from the Central Texas. Corpus Christi improved to 15-10-1; the team's 30 points still commands first place in the WPHL Central. The wounded Stampede fell to 9-10-5; Central Texas suited up just 14 players because of injuries.
   The Corpus Christi victory is the team's second in the last seven games. The IceRays host Waco today in a 7:05 p.m. game at the Igloo.
   With 9 minutes, 12 seconds to play in the third, Central Texas defenseman Jamie Hearn violently speared IceRay Vadim Sharapov. The Stampede were charged with a five-minute major and Hearn was ejected. Corpus Christi's Geoff Bumstead and Lorne Toews each scored goals during the extended power play, giving the IceRays a late 5-3 lead.
   Central Texas would not fold, however.
   Newly acquired Stampede forward Brian Loney scored his second goal of the game - and his seventh goal in four games - with 3:15 to play to keep the game's outcome in question until the final buzzer. Loney has recorded 15 points in just seven games with Central Texas.
   Corpus Christi defenseman Regan Harper scored two goals, Chris Robertson recorded two assists. Bumstead had a goal and an assist.
   Corpus Christi fell behind early in the first period, 2-0, behind Central Texas goals by forwards David Oliver and Gerald Tallaire. Tallaire's goal came 14 seconds into a Stampede power play. The IceRays had out shot the Stampede 6-1 prior to Oliver's goal, but Central Texas found the net on its second and third shots on goal.
   The IceRays closed within a goal, 2-1, with 5:07 to play in the first period when Harper put his stick on a Robertson pass and sent the puck flying past Central Texas goalie Mandate Wieser. Corpus Christi had killed a Central Texas power play just seconds before Robertson fed Harper.
   The first period ended with the Stampede leading, 2-1.
   Central Texas established its second a two-goal lead 3:57 into the second period on Loney's first goal.
   Four-year veteran defenseman Phil Valk supplied the answer for Corpus Christi two minutes later when he smashed home a short-handed slap shot from the Stampede blue line.
   Harper's second goal tied the game, 3-3, with 13:19 to play in the third. The scoring chance began when recent Corpus Christi acquistion Mike Dick fed Sharapov in the far corner. Sharapov slid the puck to Harper, who was set up in the slot. Harper controlled the puck, held possession for a couple seconds and sent a low backhanded shot into the Stampede net.
   The goal was Harper's third of the year.

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