2009 Central Hockey League Champions!
Texas Brahmas win Ray Miron President's Cup, Jason Deitch is MVP
After 11 seasons of hockey in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the Texas Brahmas have won the 2009 Ray Miron President's Cup Championship with a 4-to-1 series win over the Colorado Eagles. Forward Jason Deitsch scored the hat trick in the 6-2 win and was selected as the 2009 Playoff MVP.
"There are no words to explain this," Deitsch told the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram "It’s an unbelievable feeling. This is a group of guys we will never forget for the rest of our lives."
The Eagles came out strong in the first period, outshooting Texas 15-9 and opening the scoring for the second game in a row.
Brahmas defenseman Justin Kinnunen was sent to the penalty box for tripping at the 2:46 mark, setting up the Eagles' first power play of the evening. After receiving Aaron Schneekloth's pass from the left point, Ed McGrane, who was wide open in the right circle, sent his shot in past Brett Jaeger to take the 1-0 lead at the 3:22 mark. Ryan Tobler was also in on the assist.
But Texas matched the Eagles' power-play goal with one of their own at the 10:39 mark, when Jordan Cameron sent a shot in from the high slot. Andrew Penner made the save but Jason Deitsch was there to get the rebound at the right side of the crease and sent the puck in to take make it a 1-1 game. Tyler Skworchinski also assisted.
The period ended for the second night in a row with an even score. The second frame would also be a replay of Tuesday's game as the Brahmas put up four goals in the first 7:25 of the period (matching a franchise record for goals against in a playoff period), three of them on the power play.
It only took 30 seconds for the onslaught to begin. Brandon Benedict, assisted by Deitsch and Scott Sheppard, beat Penner to take the 2-1 lead.
Colorado's collapse soon afterwards when defenseman Erik Adams was called for hooking. 15 seconds into the man-advantage, Deitsch scored his second consecutive power play goal off a rebound after Scott Sheppard sent his shot in from between the circles. Brandon Benedict was credited with the assist.
After Eagles forward Brett Hammond was called for tripping, Jordan Cameron scored an unassisted power play goal to make it 4-1 after skating into the offensive zone and stick handling through the slot before back handing the puck over Penner's shoulder.
Colorado managed to cut the score in half with a 4-on-4 goal at the 9:51 mark when Aaron Schneekloth took Riley Nelson's pass from below the goal line and sent in a backhander of his own to make it a 4-2 game.
Unable to build any momentum, the Eagles penalty killers would give up another power play goal at the 18:40 mark when Grant Jacobsen sent in a wrister from the left circle to make it a 5-2 contest. It was the third consecutive game in which Penner would give up five goals to the Brahmas and the fourth time in the series. Colorado narrowly outshot the Brahmas 12-11 in the middle frame.
For the second game in a row, Morgan Cey started the third period in net for Colorado. He was solid, stopping all six shots faced but the Brahmas, who had gone into defensive mode, eventually scored the final tally with an empty-net goal by Deitsch at the 17:30 mark. Brandon Benedict and Nathan Saunders were credited with the assist.
The Eagles outshot the Brahmas for the third consecutive period with a 13-7 advantage and ended the game with a 40-27 shot lead. After a tremendous season and the Governor's Cup on the shelf, Colorado was sent home for the second consecutive year without the league championship.
Brett Jaeger stopped 22 of 25 shots for his 12th playoff win. Andrew Penner took his sixth post-season loss, stopping 21 of 26 shots.
Once again, the Eagles lost the special teams battle as the Brahmas went 4-for-7 on the power play and shut down the Eagles on five of their six chances. Colorado was assessed 16 minutes on eight infractions. Texas was given 14 minutes on seven infractions.
The 3rd star went to Jordan Cameron, who had a goal and two assists on the night. The 2nd star went to Brett Jaeger for his outstanding performance in net and the 1st star went to Jason Deitsch with three goals and an assist.
Deitsch was named the CHL's 2009 Playoff MVP with 26 points (11 G, 15 A, +9) in the post-season, including five power play goals, eight power play assists, a short-handed goal and two game-winners. This is the high-scoring forwards' fourth championship win. Last season, he was a member of the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) Kelly Cup Championship team. In 2006, he won a Colonial Cup Championship with the Kalamazoo K-Wings (UHL) and in 2001, he won a Robertson Cup with the Junior A Texas Tornado (NAHL).
You can view the box score here
You can view my photos of the after party here
Photo Credit: Robert Keith
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