Evstigneev Proves Thorn in IceRays' Side in Defeat

Former Corpus Christi forward scores two goals, adds three assists as Outlaws skate to 6-4 victory

From staff reports

SAN ANGELO, TX - An old friend proved to be an inhospitable host for the IceRays Friday night.

Former IceRays forward Pavel Evstigneev scored twice and recorded three assists for a five-point night in his Outlaws' 6-4 victory over Corpus Christi in a non-divisional Western Professional Hockey League game at the San Angelo Coliseum. Corpus Christi fell to 21-18-8 (50 points) and remain in third place in the WPHL Central Division. The IceRays play at Odessa today at 7:05 p.m.

San Angelo improved to 19-28-2 (40 points).

Despite the loss, there was a measure of good news for Corpus Christi. Kurt Wickenheiser scored his 42nd goal of the year, tying him with Chris Robertson as the all-time IceRays' leader for goals scored in a season.

Corpus Christi forward Layne Roland scored two goals in his first game back from a wrist injury, and Geoff Bumstead had a goal and an assist driving his league-leading point total to 83.

The IceRays led, 2-1, after one period behind goals by Wickenheiser and Bumstead.

Wickenheiser wasted no time in tying Robertson's record, scoring his 42nd goal 10:06 into the game. Bumstead got the assist on Wickenheiser's goal then scored himself to give Corpus Christi a 2-0 lead at the 12:45 mark of the first period.

Evstigneev got the Outlaws on board on a goal with 4:33 to play in the first period and tied the game, 2-2, 5:07 into the second period with his second goal.

The Outlaws took a 3-2 lead on a Skeeter Moore goal with 4:35 to play in the second period.

Roland then tied the game, 3-3, in the final 31 seconds of the second period with a power-play goal. Evstigneev assisted on the next two goals, which gave San Angelo a 5-3 lead 5:55 into the third period. Scott Chartier and Rob Sandrock scored the goals for the Outlaws.

Roland's second power-play goal narrowed the margin to 5-4 with 9:48 to play in regulation.

IceRays coach Taylor Hall pulled goalie Eddy Skazyk (12-10-5) in favor of an extra skater with a little more than three minutes to play. The strategy failed, however, as San Angelo's Kevin McKinnon scored an empty-net goal with 1:07 to play to give the Outlaws a 6-4 lead.

Corpus Christi 2 1 1 - 4

San Angelo 1 2 3 - 6

FIRST PERIOD -- 1, Corpus Christi, Kurt Wickenheiser (Bumstead), 10:06, (pp).
2, Corpus Christi, Geoff Bumstead (T. Praznik, Quinnell), 12:45, (pp).
3, San Angelo, Pavel Evstigneev (Moore, Chartier), 15:27.

SECOND PERIOD -- 4, San Angelo, Evstigneev (Moore, Sandrock), 5:07.
5, San Angelo, Skeeter Moore (Evstigneev, Lord), 15:25.
6, Corpus Christi, Layne Roland (Kolomeyev, Snesar), 19:29.

THIRD PERIOD -- 7, San Angelo, Scott Chartier (Moore, Evstigneev), 0:46.
8, San Angelo, Rob Sanrock (Moore, Evstigneev), 5:55.
9, Corpus Christi, Roland (Olsen, Bumstead), 10:12, (pp).
10, San Angelo, Kevin McKinnon (Moore), 18:53, (sh).

SHOTS ON GOAL-Corpus Christi 14-12-11 37. San Angelo 11-14-17 42.

GOALIES-Corpus Christi, Eddy Skazyk (12-10-5). San Angelo, Adam Lord (13-12-1).

REFEREE-Chris Brown.