Amarillo, Tx- The Wranglers reclaimed the top spot in the division following a 3-to-0 win over the Ice Rays Friday night. Max Gutjahr collected the first shutout in Wranglers’ history.
Amarillo would break the ice in the first period when Jakob Peterson beat Damon Beaver at the 9:29 mark to get his second goal of the season. Amarillo controlled the opening period but could not extend their lead until late in the period. With seconds remaining in the opening period, Nikolas Campbell scored to double the lead going into the intermission.
Amarillo did more of the same in the second period by controlling the pace of play and generating a flurry of scoring chances. Six minutes into the period, Dominick Schimizzi would bury a rebound to give the Wranglers a 3-to-0 lead and chase the Ice Rays goalie from the game.
Stefan Carney would take over the net for Corpus Christi and shut the door for the remainder of the second period, including big saves on two Amarillo power-play chances. The three-goal cushion would hold up going into the third period.
Corpus Christi would come out in the third with a more potent attack in the Wranglers zone but could not solve the duo of solid goaltending and suffocating defense from Amarillo. The Ice Rays would pepper 13 shots on Gutjahr in the period but could not find the back of the net.
Gutjahr would earn the first shutout in Wranglers’ history with a 32-save outing. The Wranglers take control of the top spot in the division with a 13-and-5 record. The Ice Rays and Wranglers will face-off again Saturday night at the Budweiser Bullpen at 7:05.