"There is no tomorrow. Our backs are against the wall just like their backs are against the wall. It’s going to be a dogfight.” - Dan Wildfong

It all comes down to tonight

Southern Conference Championship Series

Game 7

"Just one game, one night, perhaps one singular moment, that can define an entire season or career with everything on the line." - Lee Scheide

Here it is, the culmination of everything that the Texas Brahmas have worked for this season. It all comes down to tonight's performance, where the winner gets to advance to the Ray Miron President's Cup Final against either Colorado or Mississippi, and the losing squad sits back in reflection of a season that ended far short of the ultimate goal.

42 wins in the regular season. Seven playoff wins. Just one more needed.

Texas and Odessa have split the best of seven series, three games apiece with the Brahmas winning two of three at home. Despite losing Game Six, the Brahmas have proven to rise to the occasion as they are 2-0 in games following losses in the series against Odessa.

This is the Brahma's second consecutive game seven to decide a conference final. Last year, they lost to the Colorado Eagles by a score of 3-2 in the Northern Conference Finals. The big difference this season will be that the game is at the NYTEX Sports Centre where they went 26-5-1 during the regular season and are 4-1 in the post-season. In the history of Game Sevens, the home team has gone 15-6.

However, visiting teams have captured three of the last four Game Seven wins.

Odessa’s lone Game Seven experience in the playoffs came in 2001 where they defeated the El Paso Buzzards 5-2 in Odessa while part of the WPHL. Tonight will be their first Game 7 since joining the CHL in 2001. Game six winners have a 7-14 record in Game 7.

In their 11th season, this will be the first Game Seven the Brahmas have ever hosted.

Let's look at a few (remaining team) post-season stats:

Jason Deitsch leads all forwards in scoring with 14 points (4 G, 10 A, +6). He also has the most power play assists (5). Scott Sheppard is in second place with 12 points (7 G, 5 A, +1). He also has the most power play goals (4). Tyler Skworchinski still has the most game-winning goals (4).

Brett Jaeger has the best GAA (1.94) and save percentage (.938). I'm not including Tyler Sims because he's only played in two games. Jaeger is tied with Odessa's Juha Toivonen and Colorado's Andrew Penner for the most playoff wins at seven apiece.

On special teams, the Brahmas have the best penalty-kill (88-89%). They are third in the power play (15.63%). Odessa is fourth at 8.63%.

The Brahmas are undefeated when leading after one or two periods. They are also undefeated when they outshoot their opponent.

Let's have some fun tonight. If you go home without a voice, you are a true Brahmas fan!

Metro Sports Channel 185 on Time Warner Cable will be on hand for the game to film and air Game Seven beginning on Sunday morning.

The opening face off will be at 7:05pm and the game will be broadcast on Nifty-TV. You can listen on Internet radio here

Photo Credit: Robert Keith