The Texas Brahmas took a 4-2 loss today at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. It was their first back-to-back loss since losing three in a row against the Mississippi RiverKings and Arizona Sundogs on December 12-17th. The Blazers remain the only club with a winning record against the Brahmas this season with four wins in six games.
The Brahmas record goes to 31-12-4 (13-9-3 on the road) with 66 points. Odessa didn't play today so they remain a point behind in the Southern Conference. Laredo lost 5-4 to the Killer Bees so they remain 10 points behind the Brahmas. With the win, RGV is just four points behind the Bucks. Terry Ruskowski is going to have to find a solution to his teams' problem if they want to stay ahead of the Bees in the division.
As it was Kid's Day at the Ford Center, the crowd was mainly (you guessed it) kids. It was odd hearing the cheers of the younger set, especially when it seemed to come in reaction to what was going on with the video scoreboard rather than what was happening on the ice. There were plenty of "waves" and I'm sure everyone had a good time, especially because they didn't have to go to school.
Ted Vandermeer led off the scoring for Oklahoma City. After a call on Mike Vellinga for cross checking, Jeff MacDermid won the face off and passed the puck to Tyler Harder who took a shot from the point. Vandermeer was in front of the net and was able to tip it in past David Cacciola for the score at the 4:04 mark.
The Brahmas scored 14 seconds later after the puck got caught up in the skates of a couple of Blazer defenders in front of the net. Travis Banga was able to get control of it and shoot it in past Doug Groenestege who was caught off guard. Scott Sheppard and Mike Vellinga were in on the assist. The game was tied at 1-1 at the 4:18 mark.
Brian Passmore scored next for the Blazers at the 8:48 mark on a feed from Bill Vandermeer and Stacey Bauman for the 2-1 lead. The Blazers scored their second powerplay goal at the 14:30 mark when Stacey Bauman, who was wide open at the top of the right wing circle, received a centering pass from Simon Lambert and was able to shoot the puck over Cacciola's shoulder to make it 3-1.
The Blazers outshot the Brahmas 18-11 in the period and led at the end of 20 minutes by a score of 3-1.
The Brahmas had a better start to the second period keeping good early pressure on the Blazers after being kept on the back of their skates throughout the first. Matt Burto got his second goal of the season at the 5:51 mark after he tipped in a Kevin McLeod shot from the left point. The score was now 3-2.
The Brahmas tried to build on the momentum of Burto's score but the Blazer's defense took over at about the mid-point of the period and prevented the Bulls from gaining any ground (ice).
Matt Quinn was injured with 3:21 left in the period after taking a hard hit into the boards near the Brahmas bench. Athletic Trainer Tom Hart went out to take a look at Quinn's left knee. Quinn was in obvious pain and hobbled back to the locker room for a closer look. No word on his condition.
Simon Lambert scored shortly thereafter tipping in a Tyler Harder point shot at the 17:09 mark Jason Murfitt was also in on the assist.
The period ended with the score at 4-2. The Brahmas outshot the Blazers 7-6. A woeful statistic: The Blazers are 21-3-3 when leading after the second.
The two teams battled hard throughout the third period. The Blazers had a goal disallowed at the 3:31 mark after it was ruled that the puck was high-sticked into the net after it flipped into the air. Looked like it was Josh Patterson who knocked it in.
David Cacciola was pulled in favor of the extra attacker and the Brahmas nearly suffered an own goal when the puck nearly rolled into the Brahma net after a skirmish at center ice.
Cacciola was pulled again for the final minute of play but Groenestege and the Blazers held on and the game ended at 4-2.
The final shot count was 11-7, advantage Texas in the third period but the Blazers won the game shot count at 32-29.
David Cacciola takes his third loss in a row against the Blazers. His record goes to 9-6-0-1.
The Brahmas were assessed eight minutes on four minors and went 0 for 5 on the powerplay.
The Blazers were assessed 10 minutes on five minors and went 2 for 4 on the powerplay.
All three stars went to Oklahoma City players so that's all I will say about that.
You can view the box score here
Jason Deitsch didn't play today. No word on him being called up again, as of yet. The possible loss of Matt Quinn to the injured reserve is unfortunate. Let's hope it's nothing serious.
The Brahmas return home for a two game series against the Odessa Jackalopes this weekend. Friday night is Youth Jersey Night; the first 1,000 kids 12 and under will receive a free Brahmas youth jersey courtesy of Ashley Furniture, so the game is sure to be a sellout.
On Saturday, in recognition of St. Valentine’s Day, ZuRoma Bar and Grill (located in the NYTEX Sports Centre) will feature couples dinners for a special rate before, during and after the Brahmas game.
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