Kevin McLeod beats Dustin Traylen, supplying the Brahma's first shootout goal

Brahmas defeat Corpus Christi IceRays 4-3

Tie Laredo Bucks for lead in Southeast Division with first shootout win of the season

The Texas Brahmas earned their second win in a row over the Corpus Christi IceRays with a 4-3 shootout victory last night at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The Brahmas win improved their record to 19-9-3 with 41 points, enough to tie the Laredo Bucks for the lead in the Southeastern Division.

The game began with the IceRays dominating the ice, outshooting the Brahmas 9-2 and taking a 2-0 lead. Left wing Adam Powell scored both goals for the IceRays less than two minutes apart.

The first goal came at the 8:32 mark when Chris Mei took a Brahmas turnover and passed it to Chris Richards who set up Powell in front of the net. Powell found the back of the net on a backhand through the legs of David Cacciola. Just 98 seconds later at the 10:10 mark, Powell let a shot go from the left circle, beating Cacciola again.

The Brahmas answered with three goals of their own in a span of three minutes and 27 seconds to take the lead back from the visitors.

Defenseman Nathan Saunders scored on a slapshot from the blue line that deflected off of an IceRays stick and into the net at the 14:01 mark. Scott Sheppard and Tyler Skworchinski were in on the assist. It was Saunders' first goal as a Brahma, having joined the team on December 22nd.

A little over two minutes later, Greg McConnell, who was parked on the left side of the crease, took a pass from Jordan Cameron from behind the net and slapped it past Dustin Traylen to tie the game. Eric Lundberg was also credited with the assist.

Grant Jacobsen scored a power play goal on a rebound at the 17:28 mark to give the Brahmas the 3-2 lead. Justin Kinnunen and Jordan Cameron were in on the assist.

The IceRays outshot the Brahmas 14-12 in the first 20 minutes.

In the second period, the IceRays tied it up again when Mark Tobin sent a pass to center Jeff Grant, who scored on a low wrist shot from just inside the right circle at the 4:40 mark. Dan Wildfong sent in Brett Jaeger at that point to relieve Cacciola. Jaeger held off the Rays for the remainder of the period. The Brahmas outshot the IceRays 18-12 in the period but were unable to get past Dustin Traylen, who was strong in the net.

Neither team managed to score in the third period as both goaltenders held their ice. The Brahmas outscored the Rays 6-5 in the third. The overtime period went by quickly and again, there was no score, this time on four shots by each team.

In the shootout round, Corpus Christi went first, sending in Ryan Bennett who was stopped by Jaeger. Kevin McLeod was up first for the Brahmas and he sent the puck flying past Dustin Traylen. The shootout had to be delayed when overzealous Brahmas fans showered the ice with rubber bulls. Mike Zbriger was up next but failed to beat Jaeger. Then Scott Sheppard scored, giving the Brahmas a two-goal advantage. Chris Richards finally solved Jaeger, giving the Rays some hope. Jordan Cameron and Grant Jacobsen failed to get in the net and Justin Quenneville also was stopped. Matt Burto took the final shot and scored and the game was over after 3 hours and 43 minutes.

The Brahmas outshot Corpus Christi 41-35 and Jaeger earned his 13th win of the season.

The Brahmas went 1 for 7 on the powerplay. Corpus Christi went 0 for 6. The Brahmas were assessed 12 minutes on six infractions. Corpus Christi was given 13 minutes on six infractions.

Nathan Saunders was given the third star for his goal in the first period. The IceRays' Adam Powell earned the second star for his two goals, also in the first and Brett Jaeger was awarded the first star for his performance in the net, stopping 17 of 17 shots during his 40 minutes and 19 seconds in the net.

You can view the box score here

You can view photos from the game here

The Brahmas now head off on a four game road trip that will take them to Laredo, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Mississippi. Game one against the Bucks is on Saturday night at 7:30pm. The winner will take possession of the lead in the Southeastern Division.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith