Phil Pietroniro scored the go-ahead goal in the first period, and the Corpus Christi IceRays held off the challenges of the New Mexico Mustangs in a tough 7-5 win.

A goal 14:04 into the the first period by Pietroniro proved to be the game winner, and powered Corpus Christi to the victory AJ Jarosz picked up the assist.

The IceRays got the win on the strength of a great game by Brandon Smith, who had two goals and one assist. Smith scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 8:41 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Corpus Christi earned a power play opportunity when Charles Baldwin was put in the box for checking from behind. Jarosz assisted on the tally. Smith's next tally on the power play made the score 6-4 Corpus Christi with 16:52 left in the third period. Perry DArrisso picked up the assist.

The IceRays bested their season scoring average. Corpus Christi averages 2.9 goals per game. The defensemen of the IceRays were also effective in New Mexico's zone, and came away with two goals. The 35 shots that Corpus Christi put on net surpassed the IceRays' average of 22.1 shots per game this season.

Corpus Christi also got a goal from Zack Holstom as well. In addition, Corpus Christi received assists from Chris Taff and Anthony Stolarz, who each chipped in one and Michael Dery, Danny Fetzer, and Eric Purcell, who contributed two a piece.

The Mustangs surpassed their usual scoring output this season. New Mexico has scored at the pace of 2.9 goals per game during the current campaign. The Mustangs' offense was clicking better than usual and put 33 shots on goal during the game, better than the 23.6 shots per game they average.

New Mexico was led by Jimmy Peplinski, who grabbed one goal and two assists. Peplinski scored 10:51 into the first period to make the score 2-1 New Mexico. Adam Chapie provided the assist. New Mexico additionally got points from Cody Walsh, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Evan Johnston, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Ryan Dau also scored for New Mexico. Other players who recorded assists for New Mexico were Josh Bretner, who had two.

Stolarz rejected 28 shots on goal for Corpus Christi. The IceRays totaled 17 minutes in penalty time with six minors and one major and went 1-for-2 on the power play. The Mustangs' Randy Graham stopped 28 shots out of the 34 that he faced. New Mexico totaled 26 minutes in penalty time with three minors and two majors and went 2-for-4 on the power play.