The Insider Preview - Texas Brahmas vs. Corpus Christi IceRays

Brahmas looking for 15th straight home win

If you watched the Corpus Christi IceRays down the Laredo Bucks in a 4-3 shootout at the Laredo Entertainment Center Wednesday night, you saw them do something they haven't accomplished all season - win after trailing after two periods. This team knows every game is a must-win when you are fighting for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference and with Arizona’s 7-3 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, the IceRays (24-27-5, 53 points) are now one point ahead of the Sundogs.

It was Corpus Christi's second win in a row after defeating the Killer Bees 4-3 in overtime last Saturday. Last Friday, they were defeated by the Sundogs in a scoreless game that had to be decided in a shootout.

Now they come to North Richland Hills to face the Conference-leading Texas Brahmas (37-13-5, 79 points) for the fifth and final time this season. Not only have the Brahmas won their last 14 games in a row at the NYTEX Sports Centre but they have beaten the IceRays eight times in a row (at home and on the road) since Dan Wildfong took over as head coach. So what are the odds of an IceRays victory tomorrow night? Yeah, I know, but stranger things have happened.

The Southern Conference title is the Brahmas' to lose but all indications are that won't happen. They have a lock on the Southeast Division. The team’s magic number is seven; any combination of Brahmas wins/Laredo losses totaling seven will give the Brahmas the division championship. They are tied with the Mississippi RiverKings and trail the Colorado Eagles by three points in the Governor's Cup race.

The Brahmas have been off since last Saturday's 4-2 road loss against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

This will be Corpus Christi Head Coach Brent Hughes' first trip to NYTEX since March 2nd, 2008 when the Brahmas beat his Austin Ice Bats 6-5 (The Ice Bats lost all three trips to NYTEX last season).

The IceRays' top three scorers are Chris Richards (C) with 68 points (26 G, 42 A), Justin Quenneville (C) with 58 points (17 G, 41 A) and Ryan Bennett (RW) with 54 points (22 G, 32 A). On Special teams, the IceRays are ranked 11th in the league overall on the powerplay at 15.87% and 12th on the road at 14.5%. On the penalty kill, Corpus Christi is ranked 11th in the league overall at 80.89% and 11th on the road at 79.7%.

Left wing Adam Powell has had the most success against the Brahmas this season with five goals scored. Forward Jereme Tendler has been hot recently, scoring five goals in the last five games. Center Chris Richards is the man to watch. Richards not only leads the team in scoring but he has scored nine points (1 G, 8 A) in the last 10 games and has five points (1 G, 4 A) assists against the Brahmas this season.

The top three scorers for the Brahmas are Scott Sheppard (F) with 63 points (31 G, 32 A), Jordan Cameron (F) with 54 points (20 G, 34 A) and Grant Jacobsen (F) with 52 points (20 G, 32 A). On special teams, the Brahmas are ranked third in the league overall on the powerplay at 19.95% and fifth at home at 20.5%. On the penalty kill, they are ranked 12th in the league overall at 80.58% and 4th at home at 86.9%.

Jordan Cameron has had the most success against the IceRays this season, scoring 10 points (3 G, 7 A) in four games. Cameron has eight points (3 G, 5 A) in his last five games overall. Keep an eye on Scott Sheppard who has led the home guard this season at NYTEX with 35 points (13 G, 22 A) with a +15 rating in 26 games.

Brett Jaeger (25-7-4-2) and David Cacciola (12-6-1-1) each have two wins against the IceRays this season. I'm betting that Cash will get the nod for this game. Kris Tebbs (20-18-4-1) is expected in net for the IceRays.

The IceRays are without forwards Patrick Steinmayr (30-day IR) and Brett Connolly (out for season) and left wing Jonathan Trottier (30-day IR).

The Brahmas are without defensemen Nathan Saunders (league suspension) and Eric Lundberg (14-day IR). Forwards Matt Quinn and Travis Banga may be back (but I don't know that for sure - I think Banga may rest until Saturday).

The game begins at 7:05pm. It's $1 Coke night, so bring your singles! If you don't have tickets already, you may be out of luck (call before you come) but you can always watch it on Nifty-TV.

Following the game an evening of "Casino Night" will be taking place at the Tejas courts. Those who wish to test their luck can purchase a ticket for $40 or $25 if they only want to be registered for the Poker Tournament. You can register online at www.tejasvolleyball.com.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith