Brahmas lose again at the Desoto Civic Center

RiverKings win 3-2 in shootout

Well, the Brahmas earned a point but lost the first of two games against the Mississippi RiverKings tonight in Southaven. Texas has not had a win at the DCC since January 20th, 2008 and tonight, although they fought hard, it would take a shootout to decide the victor.

It didn't take the RiverKings long to get on the scoreboard as Kevin Jarman tallied his second goal of the season with the assist by David Simoes and Adam Smyth at the 2:21 mark. Joe Palmer looked on helplessly as the pucked rolled across the goal line. Palmer had a light period as the Brahmas dominated offensively with a 14-7 shot advantage in the period.

Ray Jean had a pretty good period in net for the RiverKings despite his reputation. He made a great save on a breakaway chance by Grant Jacobsen with just over six minutes left in the period.

Just seconds later AJ Gale got the Brahmas on the board after taking a feed from defenseman Denis Chisholm and shooting it past Jean's left and into the net at the 14:14 mark.

Lots of penalties in the first frame with two power play opportunities for the Brahmas in the first 10 minutes but special teams were unable to capitalize. Same story for the RiverKings who failed to score on three opportunities.

RiverKings defenseman Steve Makway and Jordan Cameron got into it twice in the period. First, a little pushing and shoving at the 16:48 mark. Both received Roughing penalties. With less than a minute left in the period, the two dropped their gloves to resolve their issue and both earned Fighting Majors. Makway got the upperhand on Cameron and had more blows connect before taking Jordan down to the ice.

The RiverKings got back on track offensively in the middle frame and had a 14-9 sot advantage in the period. Both Palmer and Jean were perfect and despite a lot of back and forth play, the score remained tied at one after 40 minutes. Once again, both teams were unable to convert on power play chances. The Brahmas looked a lot sharper and cohesive in the second period and the play became much more physical as the period wore on.

Dan Wildfong argued unsuccessfully with referree Steve Cruikshank for a penalty on Stephen Margeson after Margeson undercut Grant Jacobsen, taking him down against the boards and then dropping a knee into his back.

The RiverKings took the lead early into the third period when Cam Severson managed a back hander as he was skating by the side of the net, past Palmer's blocker (right) side. Margeson and Louis Dumont were credited with the assist. It was 2-1 at the :43 mark.

Later in the period, Grant Jacobsen scored the equalizer after Jason Reese brought the puck up between the circles and then lost possession as he fell in front of the crease. Jacobsen was there to recover and shot the puck past Jean to tie the game once again at the 10:33 mark.

The RiverKings dominated the period with a 12-5 shot advantage but Joe Palmer was solid and the game would end in a tie in regulation. The Brahmas had four shots turned away in the overtime period and despite a great effort, the matter would be settled by a shootout.

For me, it was a nail biter with the rookie goaltender in net. Unfortunately Palmer was scored on by Ryan Campbell, Louis Dumont and Derek Landmesser and the game would end with the RiverKings on top. Jason Reese had the only score for the Brahmas.

The RiverKings evened their season record to 2-2-0 with the win, while Texas fell to 1-1-1 with the loss.

Ray Jean stopped 30 of 32 and three of four in the shootout for the win tonight. Joe Palmer stopped 33 of 35 and one of four in the shootout for the loss.

There would be no special teams scoring tonight on either side. The Brahmas went 0 for 5 and the RiverKings went 0 for 6 on the power play.

The Brahmas were assessed 17 minutes on seven infractions. The RiverKings were called for 19 minutes on eight infractions.

The 3rd star of the game went to Grant Jacobsen, who had a goal on the night. The 2nd star went to Cam Severson who scored a goal on his only shot of the game and the 1st star went to goaltender Ray Jean, deservedly so.

Observations:

• Jean performed high above my expectations in tonight's contest. A truly solid performance from a guy with a sketchy resume. Palmer did well too, but his professional inexperience shined through, especially on the goal by Severson.
• I noticed several RiverKings players taking dives in front of their net to close passing lanes and to block scoring opportunities. Seemed a little more often than what you would ordinarily see, and it was very effective.
• Where's the power play scoring? The Brahmas are 1 for 15 on the man-advantage so far this season. a 6.67 power play percentage after tonight's action has the Brahmas feeding off the bottom along with Tulsa.
• Bob Bakken, the RiverKings media coordinator is a very professional broadcaster, but he kept referring to Joe Palmer as "Ross" Palmer. If they had it misprinted, you'd think somebody could have corrected him. It's a little thing, I know, but annoying nonetheless.

The Brahmas travel home overnight to rest up and prepare for tomorrow night's home opener at the NYTEX Sports Centre.