In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Corpus Christi IceRays escaped with a 4-2 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes.

Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Brandon Smith's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.

Corpus Christi was paced by Smith, who racked up one goal and one assist. Smith scored 4:23 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Corpus Christi. Emil Romig picked up the assist.

The IceRays were often in penalty trouble, totaling seven minors and four majors for 34 minutes in penalty time. Corpus Christi surpassed its season average of 24.0 penalty minutes per game. The IceRays' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Odessa power plays. Corpus Christi put 44 shots on net during the contest, more than the 24.7 it averages per game.

Corpus Christi additionally got points from Eric Purcell, who also had one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Charles Baldwin also scored for Corpus Christi. In addition, Corpus Christi received assists from John Roisum, Jalen Schulz, AJ Jarosz, Nick Monfils, and Wayland Williams, who contributed one a piece.

Odessa forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up seven minors and five majors for 49 minutes in penalty time. The Jackalopes had been averaging 21.0 minutes in penalties per game. Odessa put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the IceRays to score on any of their nine power plays. With 18 shots on target during the contest, the Jackalopes exceeded the 14.8 shots they average per game this year.

Odessa was helped by Matt Volonnino, who registered one goal. Volonnino scored 13:52 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Odessa also got a goal from Jimmy Peplinski as well.

Corpus Christi's Ben Myers stopped 16 shots out of the 18 that he faced. Erick Majerle rejected 40 shots on goal for the Jackalopes. For Odessa, Johan Sjoden was ejected from the game.