The Insider Preview – Texas Brahmas vs. Corpus Christi IceRaysBrahmas travel for Inter-divisional match on the Gulf Coast
The Texas Brahmas make their way to Corpus Christi for their third meeting with the IceRays this season at the American Bank Center tomorrow night. The Brahmas won the first two games on December 31 st (5-2) and January 2nd (4-3) at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The Brahmas (27-10-4, 58 points) have won their last three games in a row and are 12-7-3 on the road.
The IceRays (17-9-4, 38 points) are coming off a four-game road trip with three wins (against Rapid City, Rocky Mountain and New Mexico) in a row before suffering a 7-2 loss to the conference-leading Odessa Jackalopes on Tuesday. They are 10-10-0 at home this season. The IceRays are competing for one of the last two playoff berths in the Southern Conference.
The Brahmas' top three scorers remain Scott Sheppard (F) with 46 points (23 G, 23 A), Grant Jacobsen (F) with 44 points (17 G, 27 A) and Jordan Cameron (F) with 40 points (16 G, 24 A).
The IceRays (17-9-4, 38 points) are coming off a four-game road trip with three wins (against Rapid City, Rocky Mountain and New Mexico) in a row before suffering a 7-2 loss to the conference-leading Odessa Jackalopes on Tuesday. They are 10-10-0 at home this season. The IceRays are competing for one of the last two playoff berths in the Southern Conference.
The Brahmas' top three scorers remain Scott Sheppard (F) with 46 points (23 G, 23 A), Grant Jacobsen (F) with 44 points (17 G, 27 A) and Jordan Cameron (F) with 40 points (16 G, 24 A).
The top three for the IceRays are Chris Richards (C) with 54 points (23 G, 31 A), Justin Quenneville (C) with 47 points (13 G, 34 A) and Ryan Bennet (RW) with 44 points (21 G, 23 A).
On special teams, the Brahmas are ranked third on the powerplay (20.5%) and 12th on the penalty kill (81.5%). Corpus Christi is ranked 11th in both the powerplay (16.3%) and penalty kill (81.7%).
The Brahmas are expected to be at full strength with Mike Vellinga and Pete Rouleau back on the roster.
The IceRays are expected to be without defensemen T.J. Reynolds (IR) and Jozef Sladok (granted leave by league), forwards Patrick Steinmayr (IR), Brett Connolly (IR) and left wing Jonathan Trottier (IR).
The IceRays are expected to be without defensemen T.J. Reynolds (IR) and Jozef Sladok (granted leave by league), forwards Patrick Steinmayr (IR), Brett Connolly (IR) and left wing Jonathan Trottier (IR).
David Cacciola (7-5-0-1) is expected in net for the Brahmas. Kris Tebbs (13-11-3) is the likely choice for the IceRays.
Though not a crucial game for the Brahmas, a victory would bring them back within a point of the Jackalopes and depending on the outcome of the Bucks-Killer Bees contest, anywhere from eight to 12 points ahead of Laredo.
For the IceRays, all remaining games on the schedule are must-wins as they fight an uphill battle for a spot in the playoffs.
Tonight's game will mark former IceRay and current Brahmas Assistant Coach Ron Vogel's first time in the American Bank Center since April 2007. (Thanks to Greg Rajan for that fact)
The game starts at 7:05pm and will be broadcast on Nifty-TV.
Photo Credit: Robert Keith
No comments:
Post a Comment