Kinnunen, Brahmas win big in Laredo

Fourth road win in a row provides the first-place spot in the Southeast Division, All-Star defenseman gets hat trick

The Texas Brahmas took the lead in the Southeast Division tonight with a 4-1 victory over the Laredo Bucks due in no small part to the play of All-Star defenseman Justin Kinnunen who got the hat trick, scoring at even strength, on a power play and on a shorthanded goal. The Brahmas record improves to 20-9-3 with 43 points. Their road record improves to 8-6-2.

The Bucks opened up the scoring on their third powerplay of the night, taking advantage of an interference call on Justin Kinnunen, ten minutes into the game. Forward Matt Miller, who signed on December 26th, got his third goal in five games with a rebound off a shot by Devin Featherstone.

The lead didn't hold long as the Brahmas managed to tie it up at the 11:39 mark when Justin Kinnunen took a drop back pass from Pete Rouleau and fired the puck over Sebastien Centomo's shoulder. Scott Sheppard was in on the assist.

The Brahmas kept on the attack and less than a minute-and-a-half later, Kinnunen showed why he is an two-time all-star when he scored his second goal of the period, this time unassisted. It was the Brahmas 16th short-handed goal of the year.

The Brahmas outshot the Bucks 10-7 in the first 20 minutes and although they provided five powerplay opportunities which resulted in one score, they managed to take and hold the lead at 2-1. Special teams held off a five-on-three advantage six minutes into the period. Brett Jaeger stopped six of seven shots in the period.

The Brahmas are 10-0 when they lead after one period. The Bucks on the other hand, are 2-4 when they trail after one.

The second period was a battle throughout with an increase in the physical play for both squads.

The Bucks had a chance to tie the game about five minutes in from Jaeger's left side on the goal line, but Jeff Bes' shot hit the post.

Kevin McLeod nearly gave the Brahmas another short-handed goal with a behind-the-back centering pass but a diving Centomo covered up the puck and saved the score.

Centomo stopped three quick shots on a four-on-four, including one that could have given Justin Kinnunen a hat trick. Both goaltenders were solid in the middle period, stopping 10 shots apiece.

Another interesting fact: The Brahmas are a perfect 12-0 when leading after the 2nd period this season while the Bucks are 5-5-2.

The Brahmas opened the third period on the powerplay thanks to an interference call on Jaye Judd at the 19:34 mark in the second but were unable to score on Centomo.

On their second powerplay of the period, Jordan Cameron scored on a pass from Nathan Saunders giving the Brahmas a 3-1 lead. Then on their third powerplay, just over three minutes later, Justin Kinnunen scored on a pass from Craig Minard and gets the hat trick.

Bucks goon Ryan Hand got sent to the penalty box for trying to pick a fight with Nathan Saunders and got a double-minor for roughing for his effort. Saunders, to his credit, skated away from the encounter. It was Hand's third penalty of the game

Midway through the period, Jordan Cameron took a hard hit and went face down on the ice. He had to be helped off the ice by trainer Tom Hart. He appeared to be shaken up but alright.

The Bucks outshot the Brahmas 12-8 in the period and 30-28 in the game but Brett Jaeger held them off, getting his 14th win of the season as the Brahmas win it 4-1.

On Special teams, the Brahmas went 1 for 8, the Bucks went 1 for 7. The Brahmas were assessed 14 minutes on 7 infractions. Laredo got 16 minutes on 8 infractions.

Standout rookie forward Pete Rouleau earned the third star. Brett Jaeger gets the second and of course, Justin Kinnunen earns the first.

You can view the box score here

The Brahmas head for Tulsa for game two of their four-game road trip with a match-up against the Oilers at the BOK Center. New Oilers head coach Tony Martino will be on the bench for his first game. The Tuesday evening game will begin at 7:05pm and can be heard on Internet radio here.

* Special thanks to Brian Benway for his excellent radio announcing and to Joy Lindsay for blogging the game on the LMT Bucks Blog.