Road Warriors

Brahmas take on Laredo and Rio Grande Valley this weekend

The Texas Brahmas went on the road yesterday, making the long trek to Laredo where they will take on the Bucks for the first time this season tonight at the Laredo Energy Center.

The Bucks are in the midst of their Big Friggin' Weekend celebration with events that began at the LEC this morning at 10am. Tonight is Dallas Cowboys Night and the Bucks will be wearing special Dallas Cowboys inspired sweaters which will be auctioned off after the game. Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski will be serving as the auctioneer.

The Brahmas (5-3-2) are 4-1-1 in their last six games riding the hot hand of goaltender Kevin Beech who is 3-0-1 in his last four decisions, allowing just seven goals over that stretch (1.71 GAA). Beech is currently ranked 8th in the league with a 2.52 GAA and 6th with a .926 save percentage.

Laredo (4-6-1) has lost their last four games in a row and have been outscored 20-8 during that stretch. Like a wounded animal, they are sure to give the Brahmas trouble tonight, as is usual on their home ice. Expect to see Torrie Jung defending the Laredo net tonight. Jung is 3-3-0 this season and is ranked 19th in the league with a 3.08 GAA and a .903 save percentage.

Dan Riedel and Roger Maxwell are set as scratches for tonight's game.

On Saturday night, the Brahmas will be at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo to take on the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for the third time this season. The teams have split the series thus far, with the Brahmas hosting the two previous meetings at the NYTEX Sports Centre. On October 22nd, the Brahmas won 3-2 and on November 13th, the Killer Bess won in a 4-3 shootout decision. The Bees are 3-0-1 at home this season and are enjoying a 6-4-2 start to their season which has placed them in third place in the Berry Conference, just ahead of the Brahmas.

The Brahmas will be challenged by Rio Goalie Juliano Pagliero (6-3-2-1), who has more ice time (678:33) than any other net minder in the league. He has a 2.56 GAA (10th in the league) and a .923 save percentage (8th in the league).

This should be a good trip for the boys who should come home with at least two points but I'm betting on all four. Go Brahmas!

Photo Credit: Robert Keith