The Insider Preview - Texas Brahmas vs. Amarillo Gorillas

Brahmas seek 14th home win tonight

The Texas Brahmas (36-12-5, 77 points) host the Amarillo Gorillas (15-33-3, 33 points) tonight at the NYTEX Sports Center. The Brahmas have won 13 in a row at NYTEX and will try to keep the league best home streak alive with a win tonight. The Gorillas, with the worst record in the league are 7-17-1 on the road, but have given the Brahmas trouble in each game played this season. This will be their first and only visit to NYTEX this season.

The Brahmas have played the Gorilla's four times this season and won three of those games, all by a score of 4-3. Their only defeat took place on October 30th in a 2-1 overtime loss. It is notable that all the games were decided by a point.

Tonight marks the return of two former Brahmas to NYTEX since being released this season. They are forward Mark Carragher and defenseman Alex Grieg.

The Gorillas' top three scorers are Sam Ftorek (D) with 53 points (16 G, 37 A), Stuart MacRae (C) with 48 points (16 G, 32 A) and Jake Morissette (C) with 41 points (20 G, 21 A). On Special teams, the Rays are ranked 15th in the league overall on the powerplay at 14.5% and 15th on the road at 13.9%. On the penalty kill, Corpus Christi is ranked 13th in the league overall at 77.4% and 12th on the road at 78.4%.

Sam Ftorek (D) is the danger man today, having scored seven points (1 G, 6 A) against the Brahmas this season. In the last 10 games, he has put up 12 points (3 G, 9 A). He has scored 25 points on the road this season (7 G, 18 A).

The top three scorers for the Brahmas are Scott Sheppard (F) with 60 points (29 G, 31 A), Grant Jacobsen (F) with 52 points (20 G, 32 A) and Jordan Cameron (F) with 52 points (20 G, 32 A). On special teams, the Brahmas are ranked third in the league overall on the powerplay at 20.2% and fifth at home at 20.1%. On the penalty kill, they are ranked 12th in the league overall at 81% and fourth at home at 86.5%.

Kevin McLeod (D) is the man to watch for the Brahmas. In the last 10 games, Marv has scored 16 points (6 G, 10 A) and is a +8. He has scored five points (3 G, 2 A) against the Gorillas this season and is a +1 against them. Scott Sheppard leads the home guard this season, having scored 32 points (11 G, 21 A) at NYTEX.

Brett Jaeger is back but I think David Cacciola (11-6-1) will get the start for the Brahmas. I'm guessing Mike Gorman (8-14-1) will be in net for Amarillo. If not, A.J. Bucchino (5-11-2) will get the nod.

The Brahmas will be without forward Travis Banga may be without defenseman Eric Lundberg. Forward Matt Quinn practiced today but may be a game time decision. The Gorillas appear to be healthy and at full strength.

Massey Ratings shows the Brahmas as the likely winner today - let's hope they're right!

The game begins at 7:05pm and is a sellout. Get there early as the parking lots will be crowded! Also, tonight is puck night at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The first 1,000 ticketed fans will receive a free Texas Brahmas puck.

Image Credit: Amarillo Gorillas