Allen Americans no longer undefeated

Brahmas win in shootout, 3-2

It's been a while since we've had the pleasure of back-to back Brahmas wins of the most entertaining kind but last night certainly fit the bill as the Hometown heroes pulled out a 3-2 shootout victory over the previously undefeated Allen Americans.

Player for player, an impressive effort was mounted for 60 minutes, and just as impressive was the coaching on the bench by Dan Wildfong and Ronnie Vogel.

I rarely comment on what goes on at the players bench. It's a gritty, emotional, sometimes dangerous area, offering little protection from flying pucks, sticks and players crashing into the boards. It's full of expletives, spit, slamming doors and verbal sparring with the opponent's bench. But it's also the place where games are won, as all of the action during a professional hockey game does not take place on the ice.

Brahmas coaches Dan Wildfong and Ron Vogel

No longer making a difference as a player, but with a player's mentality freshly intact, Wildfong knows how to push his players to the best of their abilities and then pat some backs with some encouraging words after a good shift. I'm not going to over-editorialize here, but suffice it to say, sometimes the game on the bench is as satisfying to watch as the game on the ice.

Former Laredo Buck-turned Brahma James Hiebert was the hero of the night and rightly so, with the game-winning goal in a shootout highlighted by magnificent goaltending. Hiebert seemed to really appreciate the cheers from the crowd at NYTEX, something he probably never experienced up close at the Laredo Entertainment Center.

You really can't single out Hiebert's efforts though as each and every member of the team gave everything they had in the first win at the NYTEX Sports Centre of the 2009-10 season.

Both sides came out fighting early with the first penalty coming on Allen troublemaker Brandon Straub for tripping at the 2:44 mark. Midway through the first period, Kevin McLeod, who leads the league in goals among defensemen, added another tally (his fourth of the season) by firing a quick wrist shot from the left face-off circle up and over Allen netminder Chris Whitley’s shoulder. It was 1-0 Brahmas at the 10:17 mark. Forwards Jason Reese and Lee Jubinville were credited with the assist.

I still say it went in - the puck is over the goal line in this photo

About 30 seconds later, the Brahmas nearly had another score, but Allen defenseman Jason Seerey apparently cleared a loose rebound off the goal line. Whitley stopped Dan Welch’s wrist shot from the slot, and the puck rolled towards the line, but Seerey saved it, and even though the red light came on briefly, referee Justin Greene ruled no goal and play continued.

The Brahmas had two more power play opportunities during the remainder of the period but were unable to convert. Only 1o shots were attempted in the period, with the Brahmas holding the 6-4 advantage and the lead at 1-0.

The Americans were aggressive in the second period, racking up a ridiculous 23-5 shot differential. During a power play courtesy of a tripping call on Kevin McLeod at the 8:05 mark, the Americans fired seven shots on goal, but could not beat Joe Palmer. They continued their onslaught during even-strength play and managed 13 consecutive shots but could not get one past Palmer, who was outstanding in net.

Allen finally broke through on their second power play of the period when Defenseman Tyler Wooddisse flipped a high wrist shot from just inside the blue line that beat a screened Palmer over the shoulder, tying the game at 1-1. Bruce Graham and Christian Gaudet were in on the assist.

Justin Bowers forces the puck past Palmer

The third period was a incredible defensive battle with no scoring until the 16:53 mark when Allen center Justin Bowers received a pass from Nathan O’Nabigon behind the net, stepped out to the side of the right post and stuffed it through Palmer’s pads for score. Former Colorado Eagles defenseman Erik Adams was also credited with the assist.

Time was running out for the Brahmas but a cross checking call on Tyler Woodise gave the Brahmas an opportunity to even things up. 47 second later, on a designed play and with Joe Palmer pulled in favor of the sixth attacker, Jason Deitsch fed a pass from the left sideboards to Dan Welch in the slot, and Welch burst in on a partial breakaway before beating Whitley to the forehand for the score. The crowd at NYTEX went wild and the shirts came off in Section C as the Brahmas tied the game at two and held on to force the game into overtime.

The Americans had the shot advantage once again in the third frame at 13-9 and a 40-23 advantage in regulation. After a scoreless 4-on-4 five-minute overtime, a sudden death shootout would decide the victor.

Whitley reacts to Hiebert's goal

Thanks to a stellar performance by both Joe Palmer and Chris Whitley, the game would not be decided until the eight round when James Hiebert finally solved Whitley. Joe Palmer then did his part by stopping Erik Adams' shot and the game was over.

Joe Palmer stopped 38 of 40 shots to improve to 2-0-1. Palmer is now tied with Odessa's Juha Toivonen for 1st in the league with a 1.67 GAA. He is 3rd in the league with a .929 save percentage. Allen's Chris Whitley saved 20 of 22 and took the loss. His record is now 1-0-1.

Both teams went 1 for 5 on the power play and both teams were assessed 10 minutes on 5 infractions.

James Hiebert addresses the crowd after being named 1st Star

The 3rd Star of the game was awarded to Kevin McLeod who scored the first goal of the game. The 2nd Star went to goalie Joe Palmer for his stellar performance in net and the 1st Star was given to James Hiebert for his game-winning shootout goal.

You can view the box score here

You can view my photos from the game here

Observations:

• The Brahmas power play is inching its way up from the league's cellar. After this weekend's games, the Brahmas are in the 13th position with a 10.34 power play percentage. Their penalty kill is also at number 13 with a 80.00 percentage.
• I had my concerns about Palmer heading into the shootout considering what happened in his first shootout against Mississippi. I shall have no further concerns about Palmer. Now the question is - do you put Jaeger in against Mississippi after riding the pine for a week or do you keep Palmer in net?
• Hiebert was impressive throughout the game. He's obviously kept in shape despite minimal playing time last season with Laredo. This one may come back to bite Roscoe in the butt.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith