The Insider Preview - Texas Brahmas vs. Laredo Bucks

Brahmas lead series 3-2, teams set for sixth meeting this season

The Texas Brahmas (40-14-5, 85 points) host the Laredo Bucks (32-22-5, 69 points) tonight at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The Brahmas lead the Bucks by 16 points in the Southeast Division and need just three more points to clinch the Southern Conference title.

The Brahmas lead the season series thus far, 3-2. The Brahmas won 4-1 at the LEC on January 3rd and 6-2 at NYTEX on January 17th. The Bucks won 2-1 (Shootout) on December 6th and 5-4 (Shootout) at the LEC on January 21st. The Brahmas won the last meeting, 5-2 on February 20th at NYTEX.

The Brahmas have a league best 25-4-1 home record with only one loss at home since December 26th. They are coming off a 5-2 road win against the Wichita Thunder last night. They have won seven of their last 10 games.

The Bucks are 9-10-3 on the road and are coming off 6-1 road win against the Amarillo Gorillas last night. That win snapped a five-game losing streak. They have lost six of the last 10 games played since they faced the Brahmas on February 2oth. They sit in third place in the conference, trying to stay ahead of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees who are just four points behind.

The Bucks' top three (active) scorers are Brent Cullaton with 70 points (20 G, 50 A), Rookie of the Year finalist Darryl Smith (F) with 65 points (34 G, 31 A) and Alex Goupil (F) with 55 points (23 G, 32 A). On Special teams, the Bucks are ranked 6th in the league overall on the powerplay at 18.1% and 14th on the road at 13.0%. On the penalty kill, Laredo is ranked 3rd in the league overall at 85.8% and 4th on the road at 85.4%.

The Bucks' once dominant power-play has struggled in the last couple of weeks. Laredo is just three-for-33 on the man advantage in their last eight games.

The top three (active) scorers for the Brahmas are Jordan Cameron (F) with 58 points (22 G, 36 A), Grant Jacobsen (F) with 54 points (20 G, 34 A) and Jason Deitsch (F) with 40 points (18 G, 22 A). On special teams, the Brahmas are ranked 3rd in the league overall on the powerplay at 20.4% and 5th at home at 21.0%. On the penalty kill, they are ranked 11th in the league overall at 81.3% and 3rd at home at 87.3%.

Brett Jaeger (27-8-4-2) is expected in net for the Brahmas. Not sure if it will be Sebastien Centomo (19-16-2-2) or Andrew Martin (4-3-1) in net for the Bucks.

The Brahmas are expected to be without forward Scott Sheppard and defenseman Mike Vellinga, both still listed on the 14-day IR. Brandon Benedict did not play last night and no word if he will play tonight. The same goes for Kevin McLeod.

The Bucks are expected to be without center Jeff Bes, and forwards Bobby Russell and Rick Kozak. Defenseman Mike Gooch is listed on the 14-day IR.

The game starts at 7:05pm and will be broadcast on Nifty-TV if you have an excuse not to be there in person. You can also listen on Internet radio here.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith