Brahmas complete the pre-season sweep!

Americans defeated in overtime 2-1

The Texas Brahmas completed their pre-season sweep of the Allen Americans with a 2-1 overtime win, courtesy of a Steven Later goal 1:06 into the extra period. The Brahmas defenseman propelled a feed from Calin Wild past Allen's Chris Whitley, sending the dejected Americans back to the locker room for a second night in a row without a win.

Kevin Beech was perfect in goal for the Brahmas saving all 20 shots faced in two periods of action. Scott Campbell earned the win, stopping nine of 10 shots faced.

With the win, the Brahmas join the Missouri Mavericks as the only undefeated teams in the pre-season. The Brahmas are the only team to have won at home and away.

The first period opened with all the physicality and emotion left over from last night's game at the NYTEX Sports Centre. Hooking was the penalty of choice with five calls on five different players (Hazelwood and Toneys for the Brahmas, Myhro, Bolt and Lukin for the Americans) in the first 20 minutes. The only fight of the game took place at the 17:33 mark when Liam Huculak mixed it up the Brahmas' Roger Maxwell. Both earned five-minute Fighting Majors for their efforts. Allen narrowly led the shot count 9-8 but neither goalie was solved.

Things changed in the middle frame. The Brahmas drew first blood at the 7:06 mark with an unassisted goal from Jason Krischuk who was able to secure a loose puck and drive to the net, where he was able to beat Chris Whitley. Allen led the shot count for the second consecutive frame, this time 11-8.

The Americans scored the equalizer 4:49 into the third period after Colton Yellow Horn delivered the puck to Iain McPhee. The defenseman's shot was turned away by Scott Campbell, now in goal for the Brahmas but Alexandr Quesnel was in position to direct the rebound past an out of position Campbell to make it a 1-1 contest. Things got chippy shortly midway through the frame and all four penalties assessed in the period came within 72 seconds. The Brahmas led the shot count 15-10, but both goalies denied a game-winner in regulation.

The two clubs then entered into a five-minute overtime period for the second time in as many nights. The deciding goal came just 1:06 later when Brahmas defenseman Steven Later took a feed from Calin Wild, traveled through the high slot area and floated a seeing-eye backhander through traffic and the legs of Whitley for the game winner.

Kevin Beech was perfect in goal for the Brahmas saving all 20 shots faced in two periods of action. Scott Campbell earned the win, stopping nine of 10 shots faced in 21:06 minutes of play. Chris Whitley took the loss, stopping 31 of 33 shots during the game.

The Brahmas were ahead in the final shot count 33-30. Neither team capitalized on the power play. Texas went 0 for 4, Allen went 0 for 6. The Brahmas were assessed 21 penalty minutes for nine infractions; the Americans were assessed 17 penalty minutes for seven infractions.

Jason Krischuk was awarded the 3rd Star of the game for his unassisted second period goal. Allen's Alexandr Quesnel earned the 2nd Star for his third period equalizer and Steven Later took away the 1st Star for his game-winner.

The two teams will meet again next weekend for a two-game season opening series at the Allen Events Center on Friday night at 7:30 pm. Saturday night's game will start at 7:00 pm.

Photo Credit: Chip Crail/Pro Hockey News