Texas Brahmas defeat the Mudbugs

Bulls win 3-2 in wild home game

The Texas Brahmas provided hometown hockey entertainment at its very best with a 3-2 win against the visiting Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. All three of the Brahmas scores came courtesy of the powerplay.

A vociferous crowd was at the NYTEX Sports Center to witness the first home game against the longtime rival Mudbugs. Also in attendance was CHL Supervisor of Officials Wayne Bonney.

The Mudbugs took the lead midway in the first period when Brett Angel and Neil Clark set up Mark Johnson’s breakaway goal, his first as a Mudbug, to make it 1-0 for the Bugs. Texas battled back to tie the contest though when Grant Jacobsen tapped home a pass from Scott Sheppard on a powerplay opportunity courtesy of JR Bria. The Brahmas outshot the 'Bugs 9-8 in the first period.

The Mudbugs’ got a penalty shot opportunity in the second period, but Simon Mangos hit the post behind Brett Jaeger. Defenseman Kevin McLeod received a five-minute slashing major and a 10 minute slashing game misconduct when Mudbugs captain Chris Brassard apparently took a stick to the leg where there are no pads. He had to be helped off the ice and taken to the locker room. The 'Bugs were unable to convert as the Brahmas gave a lesson in penalty killing. The crowd erupted minutes later when a smiling Brassard returned to the ice, skating without aid back to the visitors bench. Texas took a 2-1 lead with Tyler Skworchinski’s powerplay goal with six minutes to go in the second. He was assited by Craig minard and Pete Rouleau. Skworchinski also had a penalty shot in the period but was unsuccessful against Ryan Mior. Again, Texas outshot the 'Bugs in the second period. This time 15-8.

Less than three minutes into the third period, the Brahmas added to their lead on another powerplay opportunity when Justin Kinnunen took a feed from Scott Sheppard and Lance Galbraith and ripped a slapshot past Mior to give Texas a two-goal cushion. The Mudbugs battled back as the third period wore on, eventually cutting the lead to one on Travis Clayton’s sixth powerplay goal of the season to make it 3-2. However, the Mudbugs were unable to tie it up, although they outshot the Brahmas 19-6 in the period.

In an unfortunate display of emotion at the end of the game, the Mudbugs' Dale Lupul decided to mix it up with the Brahmas Matt Burto and was assessed 22 minutes of penalties for his effort (Two minute Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 minute No Category Misconduct, 10 minute No Category Game Misconduct). Brett Angel and Quade Lightbody were also assessed two minutes each for roughing for their part.

In all, 83 minutes of penalties were called during the contest. The types of penalties reflected the physical nature of the contest. Interference was called three times, holding three times, holding stick three times, hooking six times, tripping twice, roughing three times and slashing three times.

The 'Bugs outshot the Brahmas 35-30 , but Brett Jaeger’s 33 saves gave him the win, improving his record to 4-1-1. Ryan Mior fell to 4-2-0 on the season in defeat.

The Brahmas finished the night going 3 for 13 on the powerplay, while the Bugs were 1 for 10.

The Brahmas will get a few days of rest before hosting the Mudbugs again on Friday night at 7:05pm.

You can view the box score here

You can view photos from the game here

Photo Credit: John Blanding