Kevin McLeod celebrates his first of two goals on the night

Brahmas prevail!

Defense proves to be the best offense as the bulls defeat Odessa 3-2

The Texas Brahmas earned their league best 10th consecutive home win last night at the NYTEX Sports Centre in a 3-2 win over their Southern Conference rivals, the Odessa Jackalopes. With the win, the Brahmas improved to 32-12-4, but more importantly, with 68 points, they take a three point lead over the Jackalopes in the conference.

The first period was one of the most action-packed, hard fought periods in recent memory. The Brahmas led on the shot count by 11-2 at one point. with the Jacks playing in their defensive zone for the first 10 minutes of the game. Neither team was able to score on solid defense and goaltending at both ends. The Brahmas outshot the Jacks 14-7 but could not solve Jeremy Symington. Nor were they able to capitalize on two powerplay opportunities.

The middle period provided more fast action as both squads fought for the first goal. The Brahmas struck first when defenseman Kevin McLeod scored his 13th of the season on a powerful shot from the left circle at the 8:23 mark. The assist came from Travis Banga and Jordan Cameron.

McLeod would score again two-and-a-half minutes later during four-on-four play when Grant Jacobsen, who was parked on the stick side of Symington, received a bullet pass from Jordan Cameron and fed McLeod just outside of the crease. Symington had no chance to make the save and at the 10:25 mark, it was 2-0 Brahmas.

McLeod watches his second goal drift into the net

A scary moment came a short time later when Brahmas defenseman Eric Lundberg slammed into the boards while defending against Dominic Leveille and Mario Joly, who were trying to gain control of the puck. Lundberg dropped his right glove and initially appeared to be favoring his wrist but it was his shoulder that took the brunt of the collision. He left the ice and did not return to the game.

There was no other scoring in the period. Odessa outshot the Brahmas 10-7, but Brett Jaeger was sharp and held the Jack attack off. It is good to note that the Brahmas are 19-0-1 when leading after two periods.

The Jackalopes came alive in the third period after Craig Minard was called for tripping, just 35 seconds in. With 14 seconds left on the powerplay, Mike Lesperance, after several attempts on Jaeger, finally got his chance. With the Brahmas' netminder out of position and just one defender to beat, Lesperance found a huge hole and an easy score to bring the Jackalopes within one at the 2:21 mark.

Odessa forward Mike Lesperance about to take advantage of a hole in the defense to put the Jacks on the board

Odessa forward Jean Borbeau was injured in a collision against the boards early in the period. He had to be helped off the ice. No word on his condition.

The Jackalopes tied the game up at the 10:09 mark on an even-strength goal by Collin Circelli, which deflected off the left post. Sebastien Thinel and Philippe Plante were in on the assist.

The game-winning goal caught everyone by surprise, but none more than Jeremy Symington who was helpless as he watched the puck sail past his left shoulder. Coming just 34 seconds after the equalizer from Collin Circelli, it was Nathan Saunders, fed by Mike Vellinga, who took the shot from the red line. The puck appeared to bounce off of Symington but I can't prove that.

With a 3-2 lead and a lot of hockey left to play, it was up to Brett Jaeger to make a stand and hold off the rabbit creatures for the remainder of the period.

The Brahmas appeared to have scored another goal on a rebound shot by either Grant Jacobsen or Travis Banga (I couldn't tell which) but it was ruled against as the whistle stopping play had blown before the puck crossed the red line.

The Jacks withdrew their goaltender for the final minute or so but Jaeger held strong and protected the lead. The game ended with a hard-fought Brahmas win. Odessa won the shot count in the final period at 15-12 but the Brahmas had the slight edge in the game at 33-32.

Brett Jaeger earned the win (and how) and his record now stands at 23-6-4-2.

The Brahmas went 0 for 6 in the powerplay. Odessa went 1 for 8. The Brahmas were assessed 18 minutes on nine penalties. Odessa was assessed 14 minutes on seven penalties

Mike Lesperance was given the third star for his second period unassisted powerplay goal. Nathan Saunders earned the second star for his game-winning goal and Kevin McLeod received the first star for his two-goal attack in the second period.

You can view the box score here

You can view my photos from the game here (not edited yet)

The two teams meet again tonight to do battle again at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The game begins at 7:05pm and will be broadcast on Nifty-TV (if you have an excuse not to be there).

Photo Credits: Robert Keith