The Insider Preview - Texas Brahmas vs. Tulsa Oilers

It's hockey night in North Richland Hills!

The Texas Brahmas (29-10-4, 62 points) host the Tulsa Oilers (11-25-5, 27 points) tonight at the NYTEX Sports Centre. One can't help but feel sorry for the Oilers who have lost five in a row and now have to face the Brahmas on the road. But hey, you never know. Sometimes the craziest things happen during the season. If the Brahmas still have their legs under them after last night's hard fought victory against the RiverKings, then this game should be no problem.

This will be the first trip to the NYTEX Sports Centre for new Oilers head coach Tony Martino. Martino can expect a warm welcome from the section 303 rowdies tonight. Just a note to you Tony - Nathan Saunders is ready and waiting.

David Cacciola (8-5-0-1) is expected to be in net for the Brahmas. My guess is that Kevin St. Pierre (6-16-4) will get the start for the Oilers.

The top three scorers for the Oilers are Jeff Christian (RW) with 53 points (19 G, 34 A), Michel Beausoleil (RW) with 44 points (13, G, 31 A) and Brendon Hodge (C) with 38 points (15 G, 23 A). On special teams, the Oilers are ranked 14th in the league overall on the powerplay at 14.9% and 13th on the road at 13.4%. On the penalty kill, they are ranked 15th in the league overall at 76.5% and 16th on the road at 74.2%.

The top three scorers for the Brahmas are Scott Sheppard (F) with 50 points (24 G, 26 A), Grant Jacobsen (F) with 44 points (17 G, 27 A) and Jordan Cameron (F) with 41 points (16 G, 25 A). On special teams, the Brahmas are ranked 3rd in the league overall on the powerplay at 21.0% and 5th at home at 20.4%. On the penalty kill, they are ranked 11th in the league overall at 81.3% and 2nd at home at 88.6%.

The Brahmas sat out Marc Belanger last night and Matt Burto the night before, apparently in order to keep the roster at the right number.

The Oilers may be without defensemen Peter Kennedy and Kelly Sickavish and forwards Mike Carmody and Sean Collins.

The game starts at 7:05pm and can be seen on Nifty-TV or you can listen on Internet radio here.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith