Brahmas stung again

Killer Bees strike four times in a row to secure 4-1 win

It's worse for the Fort Wayne Komets and Tulsa Oilers fans. Nonetheless, a 4-1 road loss to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees is a bitter pill to swallow for Texas Brahmas fans still riding the high of the boys' victory over the Laredo Bucks on Friday night.

Yes, it will be a long bus ride home from Hidalgo tonight for the purple and black. A rest tomorrow, followed by practice on Monday and then another long bus ride - this time to face the Odessa Jackalopes, who won their third consecutive game tonight with five different players scoring goals on Allen's Chris Whitley.

Was there an up side to tonight's game? No, not really. OK, a power play goal is always good - but not as the only score of the game.

The game started out with a crappy first period of play that saw just 13 combined shots and a single power play for each team.

Rookie forward Tyler Lehrke, who was activated from injured reserve today, put the Bees up 1-0 on a bad luck play for the Brahmas at the 10:08 mark. Matt Smyth took a shot from the circles on an end-to-end rush which was deflected by Brahmas defensemen Sean Hurley right to the stick of Lehrke, who then fired it past an out-of-position Wayne Savage. Brett Wilson was also credited with an assist.

There was no other scoring in the period. The Brahmas had the 8-5 shot advantage but were unable to solve Juliano Pagliero.

Three consecutive penalties (Slashing, Elbowing/Fighting Major/Holding) on Mick Lawrence ultimately led to a power play goal for the Bees at the 15:02 mark of the second period. Zak McClellan and Dan Gendur combined to feed the puck to Darcy Campbell, who beat Savage with a rip from the top of the circles.

Just 1:22 later, Lehrke electrified the crowd at the State Farm Arena with an unassisted score after he took possession of a loose puck in front of the net following a face off. His first shot on goal was turned away, but he picked up his own rebound and skated around Savage to find a clear shot to the back of the net to make it a 3-0 contest.

By the end of the frame, Rio led the shot count 12-8 and 17-16 in the game.

A wild third period saw the Brahmas out shoot the Bees 18-15 but the Bees increased their lead to four early in the frame after Aaron Lewicki and Tomas Klempa came in on a two-on-one. After Klempa's shot was turned away, Lewicki picked up the rebound and drove it into the back of the net at the 2:24 mark. Dan Gendur was also credited with an assist.

The Brahmas finally got on the scoreboard after a Board Checking call on Lewicki and a Roughing call on Rob Cowan gave the Brahmas a 5-on-3 power play. Set up by Jason Deitsch and Chad Woollard, defenseman Jason Krischuk ripped a shot from the face off circle down low, beating Pagliero on the high glove side to make it 4-1 at the 7:52 mark. The shut out was prevented but the game was already beyond lost.

Wayne Savage, who hadn't started a game since November 5th, stopped 28 of 32 shots faced and takes the loss. His record goes to 1-3-1 with a 3.01 GAA (21st in the league) and a .906 save percentage (18th in the league).

Juliano Pagliero stopped 33 of 34 shots faced and earned the win. His record goes to 7-3-2-1.

The Brahmas went 1 for 7 on the power play. The Killer Bees went 1 for 5. The Brahmas were assessed 15 minutes on 6 infractions. The Killer Bees received 19 minutes on 8 infractions.

The 3rd Star of the game went to Dan Gendur, who had two assist on the night. The 2nd Star was awarded to Juliano Pagliero for his performance in net and the 1st Star went to Tyler Lehrke who had two goals on four shots tonight.

Referee: Ryan Hersey
Linesmen: Kai Magnussen, Nathaniel Farkas

You can view the box score here and the Game Live broadcast here

You can view the Brahmas' press release here

'Nuff said.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith