Insider Preview - Texas Brahmas vs. Laredo Bucks

Coach Roscoe and the boys are back in town for a showdown between division leaders

The Texas Brahmas (23-10-3, 49 points) host the Laredo Bucks (21-10-4, 46 points) tonight at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The Bucks and Brahmas have split their two meetings this season, with each team winning on the other’s home ice. On December 6th, the Bucks had a 2-1 shootout win, while on January 3rd, the Brahmas won at the Laredo Entertainment Center 4-1, with Justin Kinnunen scoring a hat trick.

The Bucks are coming into the match with a two-game winning streak, and sit just three points behind the Brahmas in the Southeast Division. Laredo snapped a season-high seven game road winless streak last night with a 6-3 win in Corpus Christi.

Jeff Bes passed a huge milestone, scoring his 900th career point. Bes scored a goal and handed out three assists on the evening. Alex Goupil, who now has a three game point streak, scored twice. Laredo’s special teams were the difference last night, as they scored three power-play goals and killed off all 10 of the Ice Rays power-plays.

The Bucks are 6-6-3 on the road this season. On special teams, they are ranked number four in the league on the powerplay at 19.1%. They have the number one penalty kill at 86.6%.

Their top three scoring forwards are Jeff Bes with 57 points (13 G, 44 A), Darryl Smith with 44 points (21 G, 23 A) and Alex Goupil with 38 points (17 G, 21 A). Their leading defensive scorer is Serge Dube with 23 points (6 G, 17 A).

Sebastien Centomo (13-9-2) is expected to defend the net.

The Bucks will be without forward Darryl Smith, center Ryan Salvis, and defenseman Jaye Judd, all out with minor injuries.

Laredo coach Terry Ruskowski spoke to The Laredo Morning Times' Joy Lindsay about the difference between the win at NYTEX and the loss to the Brahmas at home.

"There we executed our game plan, we worked hard, we got pucks in deep, we were physical and I think here we kind of got away from that once we got down a couple goals. If that’s the case there, we just have to keep working hard and keep going right to the end of the third period. I think if we just work hard and do the little things well and be physical and be disciplined, that helps with our chances."

The Brahmas are 5-1 in the month of January and have won seven of their last eight games. They also have a 13-3-1 home record. A win tonight will give the Brahmas a five-point lead over the Bucks in the Southeast Division.

On special teams, the Brahmas have the number three powerplay at 21.4%. On the penalty kill, they sit at number 12 with 81.5%.

Their top three scoring forwards are Scott Sheppard with 37 points (19 G, 18 A), Grant Jacobsen with 37 points (16 G, 21 A) and Jordan Cameron with 35 points (14 G, 21 A). Their top scoring defenseman is Craig Minard with 25 points (4 G, 21 A).

Brett Jaeger (18-5-3) is expected at goaltender.

The Brahmas will be without defensemen Mike Vellinga (on injured reserve), Justin Kinnunen (Called up to the AHL) and forward Pete Rouleau (granted leave by the league)

If you can't be there, you can watch the game on Nifty-TV or listen on internet radio here

Photo Credit: Robert Keith