Transactions, transactions…

Brahmas prepare for four tough games over five days

Texas Brahmas forward Todd Griffith, the last of the notorious bench brawlers (which included Ross Rouleau and Jason Deitch) who opened a can of NYTEX brand whoop ass on the Arizona Sundogs on November 6th, was activated from a four-game league suspension today, according to Pointstreak. The team was busy today, preparing for tomorrow’s road game against the Odessa Jackalopes.

In addition, Roger Maxwell has been activated from injured reserve. Maxwell has been out of commission since October 30th but looks great and definitely ready to go. He's had minimal shifts as one of Fonger's specialists since joining the team but is sure to make a big impact as the season wears on.

Hockey (At long last, Nathan Saunders has finally signed a contract and has looked pretty good in practice. Nathan spent the last season in Canada, playing in the Ligue Nord-Americaine deLNAH) with Riviere-du-Loup CIMT. He played 36 games last season, tallying 12 points (7 G, 5 A) and 97 PIM. Saunders was an integral member of the Brahmas' 2009 President's Cup Championship team.

On Saturday, Tom Train and Jesse Dudas were placed on the 10-day Injured Reserve list. Train had previously been out due to injury following the season opener at Allen on October 15th. He was activated on November 12th and played in four games, including Saturday night’s loss to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. Dudas had been out on league-approved league following the previous game against the Jackalopes at NYTEX on November 12th. After being activated from that leave on November 17th, he played in this weekend’s road games in Laredo and Rio Grande Valley.

The Brahmas have a tough four games to play in the next five days.

Tomorrow night, they take on the resurgent Odessa Jackalopes at the Ector County Coliseum. Although they have started 5-9-1 this season, the Jacks are back to their old ways and have won their last three games in a row (6-3 against Rio, 6-2 against Wichita and 5-1 at Allen). The teams have played once this season, a 4-1 win for the Brahmas at NYTEX on November 12th. Odessa is 3-3-0 at home this season.

On Wednesday evening, the Brahmas host the 12-4-0 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs for the second meeting this season. The Bugs are 7-1-0 on the road thus far and are playing some of their best hockey in years. They are currently on a five-game win streak and have won their last three road games. The two teams met once before this season, also at NYTEX. The Bugs won that game 4-2.

On Friday, the hapless Laredo Bucks come to town. Sure, they've lost their last six in a row, but don't count Roscoe's boys out just yet. It's still very early in the season. The two teams have also met just once this season, with the Brahmas winning that match 3-1 on Friday night. Led by Neil Trimm, who has 20 points (6 G, 14 A, +10), including four power play goals, the Bucks are looking to turn the corner and they'll be coming in after what will be a brutal two-game home and away series with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

Finally on Saturday, the Mudbugs return on a night when the Brahmas organization celebrates the career of former team captain Craig Minard.

Brahmas fans - don't let the holiday preparations and shopping keep you away from the NYTEX Sports Centre (which is also a great place to do some holiday shopping for that special Brahmas fan on your list). The boys need you!

As I like to say - It's not just hockey. Be there, be loud, believe!

Photo Credit: Robert Keith