Brahmas sign Adam Avramenko

Former Niagara University goalie to back up Guggenberger

The Texas Brahmas announced today that they have signed former Niagara University Purple Eagles goalie Adam Avramenko. Other goalie-related transactions include Ron Vogel and Steve Silverthorn placed on waivers and and Mark Guggenberger activated from injured reserve.

The moves follow the departure of Silverthorn, who has returned to Germany, where he will play for the Dresden Ice Lions for the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

Avramenko, 25, is a former teammate of current Texas Brahmas Jim Burichin and Chris Moran at Niagara University.

The 6', 2" 210-pound left handed netminder hails from Strathmore, Alberta - just East of Calgary, and began his Junior career with the Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL) in New Brunswick, where he went 28-8-0 during the 2005-06 season. He went 11-3-0-1 during the post-season when the Slammers won the Kent Cup

The following season, Avarenko played for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) and had a 20-21-6 record in 48 games played.

Avarenko played three seasons at Niagara University (2007-10) where he appeared in 32 games with a record of 9-11-6 and two shutouts. He was named to the 2007-08 CHA All-Rookie team. He played his first two seasons as a backup to starter Juliano Pagliero, then was expected to emerge into a starting role during the 2009-10 season, but after a rocky start to the season was relegated to backup duty. He did not return for what would have been his senior season at Niagara.

Instead, last season, Avarenko signed a PTO with the Laredo Bucks and attended their training camp but was released prior to the beginning of the season. He played with the Fayetteville FireAntz (six games) and the Augusta RiverHawks (10 games) in the SPHL as well as the Florida Everblades (three games) in the ECHL.

Avramenko was invited to the Calgary Flames training camp and was (according to the Calgary Sun‘s Randy Sportak) due to join the Abbotsford Heat (AHL) for their training camp on a tryout basis, but got an early summons to Penticton due to an injury to Calgary Flames draftee Laurent Brossoit prior to the Young Stars rookie tournament. He was released by the Flames organization on September 21st.

Avramenko is listed on the Brooklyn Aviators (FHL) roster but has not played a game with the team. According to the Aviators' transactions page, he is listed as "loaned to Texas Brahmas (CHL)."

Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel - AnnArbor.com

From Where I Sit - Steve Silverthorn

“What Could Have Been”

I’ve never met Steve Silverthorn. But I know he is a quality athlete, person and family man. As a big fan and huge supporter of his, I will greatly miss seeing him in net for the Texas Brahmas.

Signed over the summer, Steve was brought here to be our #1 goalie and rightfully so based on his hockey pedigree and 220-109-23 record in college and professional play here and abroad. He is a sound goalie with great instincts. I was aware of his history and his 11-11-5 numbers here never changed my mind about his abilities...just about his luck, or lack of it in Texas.

Much of the uneasiness of the Silverthorn doubters lingered from the start of the season. With a new, young team scoring three goals in front of him, Steve was 0-4 before he had coffee and a good breakfast in North Richland Hills. Overall the team scored 65 goals for him in 27 starts. He did his job with a 2.40 GAA.

Check the numbers of the top eight CHL goalies with a 2.10 to 2.70 GAA’s in the league stats. Wait I’ll save you the trouble…their cumulative record this year is 105-43-21.

Steve will turn 30 years old on February 7th. He has a beautiful wife and equally beautiful twin daughters. Maybe he felt he could prolong his career as well as make a better living for his family playing back in Europe. It's possible he had trouble adjusting to the physical play of the Central Hockey League and felt he might be injured.

I don’t know the particulars of his decision. But I’m guessing it was a very difficult one to make. What I do know is whatever the reason, he will return to Europe.

I respect his decision. I enjoyed watching him play and am sad that he is gone and things didn’t work out for him here. It is our opportunity missed. Best wishes to both him and his family in the future.

The Brahmas are blessed to have a very talented rookie tender in Mark Guggenberger who has had early success here and has his whole hockey career in front of him. Mark has been fortunate to be around Steve Silverthorn beginning his play for money life and witness how a professional hockey player conducts himself.

Let’s hope that “Googs” can put what he has learned and his immense talent to good use and lead the Brahmas to the promised land.

CT

Silverthorn departs the Brahmas

Goalie signs with the Dresden Ice Lions in Germany

The Steve Silverthorn era, which never really came to fruition, is over. The Insider learned on Sunday afternoon that the Brahmas goalie has told the Brahmas coaches and after Saturday night's win against Laredo, his teammates that he had decided to return to Europe.

At least Silver leaves on a somewhat high note. Ranked fourth in the Central Hockey League with a 2.40 GAA and 16th with a .905 Save Percentage, he has won five of his last seven starts and was finally getting some lukewarm support from many of the fans.

As early as Sunday morning, the German media was reporting that Schwenningen ERC was speaking with Silverthorn about a possible return to his old team. Silverthorn played for Schwenningen for two seasons before signing with Texas and has played in Germany for three seasons total.

On Monday morning, it was reported he had instead signed with the Dresden Ice Lions here and here. The Ice Lions had lost their number one goalie to injury for the remainder of the season. Kellen Briggs would need surgery and a replacement was needed immediately.

Click photo to enlarge

Silverthorn had to move quickly to beat the transfer deadline in Germany. So he did.

I found Silverthorn to be a likable person and I knew of his pedigree, and the fact that Fonger had been pursuing him for years. I was as discouraged as anyone that the "promise and the product" that was Silverthorn's game was two different realities. That's not to fully blame Silverthorn - in fairness, there were many reasons for his lack of early success with the purple and black.

None of it really matters now. Silverthorn leaves the Brahmas in the thick of the race for the post-season, with a tenuous hold on the third place slot in the Berry Conference and a goalie short of a duo.

From a character standpoint, regardless of anything else, I can't forgive someone who leaves their team in the lurch at a crucial point in the season.

Mark Guggenberger, a very capable young man now has a tremendous opportunity as well as a tremendous responsibility to help lead the Brahmas to the promised land - a second Ray Miron President's Cup Championship. Of course he'll have some help. The Brahmas have a couple of backstoppers en route or already here, but I'll withhold their names for now out of respect to Fonger.

As for Silverthorn, we can only wish him the best of luck and prosperity in his future. 'Nuff said.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Woollard featured on In The Crease podcast

Greg Rajan interviews the Brahmas sniper on just about everything

Uberblogger Greg Rajan has posted his latest podcast which features the Texas Brahmas' veteran forward Chad Woollard as well as Rio Grande Valley reporter Brian Sandalow. Rajan, who coined the NYTEX Sports Centre nickname "The Shoebox", has produced an outstanding interview and you can listen to it here.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Adam Hogg scored the game-winning goal in tonight's victory

Take that, Thunder!

Brahmas, Silverthorn win 3-2 in Wichita

The Texas Brahmas defeated the Wichita Thunder by a score of 3-2 tonight, on the road at the Intrust Bank Arena. The boys took two out of three games in the three-day weekend series and there's no doubt, they won this one for Ross Rouleau, who was sidelined by a dirty hit by R.G. Flath night.

Eight Brahmas players had points tonight including T.J. Fox, Jacques Perreault and Adam Hogg, who scored the goals. Adam Hogg tallied the game-winner, his third of the season.

The victory moves the Brahmas' record to 19-14-7 (.563) with 45 points and Steve Silverthorn earned his fourth win out of his last five starts as well as the 1st Star for tonight's performance. Silver's record improved to 10-10-5 with a 2.51 GAA (5th in the league) and a .902 Save Percentage (17th in the league).

The Tulsa Oilers lost on the road in Evansville, so the Brahmas, who remain in third place in the Berry Conference, now have a six point advantage over Bruce Ramsay's team as well as Terry Ruskowski's Killer Bees. Arizona and Laredo remain out of the playoff hunt. The boys are sneaking up on the Americans, who are four points ahead and the Thunder, who hold a tenuous five point advantage.

Six of the seven games played between the two teams have been decided by one goal. Wichita leads the season series four games to three. The two teams will not see one another until Tuesday, March 20th when the Thunder return to NYTEX for the final game of the series.

The Brahmas' scratches for the game included Rouleau, Mark Guggenberger, Mark Ehl and Gregg Eskedjian.

The Brahmas had two power play opportunities in the opening minutes of the first period due to the foolish play of Erick Lizon, who was called for Charging at the 2:17 mark and Holding at the 6:37 mark. The Thunder's penalty killers held the boys off once, but T.J. Fox capitalized on the second, catching Adam Russo out of the net which enabled an easy score off of a feed from Erik Spady. Andrew Lackner had the secondary assist.

Just as they did last night, the Brahmas took a 2-0 lead in the first 20, this time at the 15:05 mark on a score by Jacques Perreault, who followed up his own rebound after attempting a wrap-around and managed to beat Russo. Chris Moran and Dan Nicholls were credited with the assists.

Wichita's Matt Summers was called for Holding at the 17:56 mark, but the Brahmas were unable to score on the resulting power play.

The boys had a narrow 13-12 shot advantage in the period and took to the locker room with a 2-0 lead.

There was no scoring in the middle frame. Both teams had a single power play opportunity but neither capitalized. The shots were even at 10-10 and the Thunder went into their locker rooms still down by two.

Kevin McClelland's boys came out fighting in the third period and got on the board at the 2:13 mark when Matt Robinson beat Silverthorn with some help from Matt Summers to make it a 2-1 contest. Jim Burichin was penalized twice (Interference at 2:49 and Holding at 6:40) but the Brahmas PK (9th in the league) held off the Thunder. One-time Brahma Kevin Seibel was also assessed two minutes for Boarding at the 7:04 mark.

Adam Hogg extended the Brahmas lead to 3-1 with 4:52 remaining. Chad Woollard provided the assist.

Dan Nicholls was called for Tripping at the 15:45 mark, which led to a power play strike by
Alex Bourret, fed by Seibel and Brett Hemingway. Bourret's tally was too little, too late for the Thunder, who failed to get anything going in the final minutes and suffered their second loss in as many nights at the hands of the Brahmas.

Steve Silverthorn stopped 33 of 35 shots faced to earn the win.

The Brahmas were assessed 8 minutes on 4 infractions; the Thunder received 10 minutes on 5 infractions. Texas went 1 for 5 on the power play; Wichita went 1 for 4.

Referee: Pierre Lambert
Lines 1: Kyle DeMaggio
Lines 2: Shawn Morgan

1st Star: Steve Silverthorn - 33 saves on 35 shots faced.
2nd Star: Jacques Perreault - 1 goal.
3rd Star: Matt Robinson (WIC) - 1 goal.

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

The Brahmas return home tonight for a well-deserved rest. They will host the Tulsa Oilers (18-15-4) on Friday night and the Laredo Bucks (15-22-0) on Saturday night. The Oilers are 8-11-2 on the road and the Bucks are 6-10-0.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Adam Russo wins the goaltender battle, stopping 27 of 30 shots faced

Brahmas comeback falls short

Wichita wins physical grudge match, 4-3

Another one point loss. A lingering curse for the Brahmas. The Boys have now lost four straight games out of five matches against the Wichita Thunder this season - all by one point (2-1, 4-3, 4-3, 4-3). Their lone win was also by one point (3-2).

Three games remain between the two teams between now and the end of the regular season. Where did Friday night's game go South? Where else - the final frame. Another lingering problem for the purple and black.

Wichita benefited from two power plays in the first period, both of which were Too Many Men Bench Minors. Former Brahmas forward Aaron Davis tallied the first goal of the night at the 13:17 mark. Jarred Mohr put a shot on net and Davis was able to bang home a rebound. Another former Brahma, Kevin Seibel, was credited with the secondary assist.

The Brahmas had the 9-6 shot advantage in the first 20 minutes but went into the locker room down by one.

Brendon Hodge tied the game up at the 9:57 mark of the middle frame when he caught a pass from Adam Hogg on the right circle and put it low on the ice past Thunder goalie Adam Russo. Jacques Perreault was also in on the assist.

Once again, the Brahmas had the shot advantage - this time 9-5 and the game remained tied after 40 minutes.

Phil Fox tallied his 14th goal of the season early in the third period, giving the Brahmas their first lead of the game, but Wichita followed that up with three unanswered scores.

Chris Greene scored just over a minute later to make it 2-2 on a tip-in from the point. R.G.Flath regained the lead for the Thunder at 13:27 after his shot re-directed off the defenders stick and past Brahmas goalie Steve Silverthorn to make it 3-2. At 15:07, Flath scored again in similar fashion, this time on a wrister that went directly over Silverthorn's glove to make it 4-2.

The Brahmas' Andrew Lackner added a goal with 3:30 remaining, but it was not enough and Wichita held on for the 4-3 win.

The Brahmas had the 12-8 shot advantage in the third period and a 30-19 advantage overall. Steve Silverthorn stopped 15 of 19 shots faced and takes the loss. His record goes to 8-10-5 (2.56 GAA/.901 Save Percentage).

The Brahmas were assessed six minutes on three infraction and went 1 for 3 on the power play, as did Wichita.

1st Star: R.G. Flath - 2 goals, including the game-winner.
2nd Star: Andrew Lackner - One goal, one assist.
3rd Star: Brendon Hodge - One goal.

You can view the Pointstreak box score here and their Game Live broadcast here.

You can view my photos from the game here.

Despite the loss, the Brahmas remain in third place in the Berry Conference with a 17-14-7 (.539) record (9-3-4 at NYTEX) by the grace of losses by the Tulsa Oilers and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

The Brahmas will host the Thunder again tonight with the opening face off set for 7:30 p.m. Keep an eye out for my daughter, Corynn, who is celebrating her fourth birthday and will be riding the Zamboni during the first intermission!

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Star-Telegram profiles rookie 'tender

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/19/3673604/texas-brahmas-goalie-mark-guggenberger.html#storylink=cpy

Texas Brahmas goalie Mark Guggenberger has the look of a winner

This morning's Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a nice profile of the Brahmas' rookie goalie Mark Guggenberger, written by Mark Wright.

Mark Guggenberger just had the kind of week kids on frozen ponds dream about. The Texas Brahmas rookie, who grew up playing hockey outdoors in Richfield, Minn., turned 23 on Jan. 10. The next night, he played in the Central Hockey League All-Star Game.

All the rookie netminder did with his moment on the big stage was turn in a dream performance - entering in the second period and stopping 35 of 36 shots to earn the victory.

"I've been lucky enough to have good numbers this year, and it helps gives you confidence going against any team in the league," said Guggenberger, who is in his first season of professional hockey after playing one season at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in Canada.

The numbers suggest he's been better than lucky. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Guggenberger leads the league in goals-against average (2.28) and is sixth in save percentage (.918). But what stands out most to coach Dan Wildfong is his goalie's 9-4-2 record.

"He's not just doing that -- making saves and stopping shots," Wildfong said. "He's getting the results. He's getting wins."

A quick study

Guggenberger's getting wins while, at the same time, adjusting to being a professional athlete.

On a recent morning Guggenberger could have passed for a college student in an outfit of black canvas shoes, jeans, woven hooded sweatshirt and orange cap. Much like a typical college experience, he has no car and lives with teammates in an apartment complex in Northlake near the Texas Motor Speedway. But in the CHL, there are no classes to attend or tests to cram for.

"I can just wake up and come over here and focus on improving my game and getting in my workouts and not have to study," Guggenberger said.

Guggenberger, though, is proving to be a quick study in the rink.

"He's doing a good job for us as a young guy coming in," Wildfong said. "He's a professional. He's come in and done the work and is taking care of what he needs to do to advance in this game."

UPEI coach Forbes MacPherson, Wildfong's former assistant with the Brahmas, said he isn't surprised by the goalie's success this season.

The level of the play in the CHL is comparable to major college hockey, MacPherson said. But the pro season crams in almost twice as many games. Guggenberger's combination of toughness, endurance and competitiveness provides a distinct advantage, the coach said.

"The obvious first thing about him is his size; he's a big kid who can cover a lot of net," said MacPherson, who recommended the player he calls "Googs" to the Brahmas last summer when Guggenberger decided to turn pro. "The second thing about him is he's a warrior. He prepares to play a hockey game like it's the last game he's ever going to play. He's a gamer and always rises to the occasion."

Guggenberger showed that each-game-is-the-last intensity late in the second period of the CHL All-Star Game. A well-placed backdoor pass set up an Arizona Sundogs player for what appeared to be an easy scoring chance. But Guggenberger sprawled out on the ice to block the shot as the buzzer went off to end the period.

"We had guys on my team patting me on the pads as well as guys from the other team," Guggenberger said. "So it must have been a good save."

About the only thing that seems to be missing from Guggenberger's stellar season so far is a shutout. He's only given up one goal in several starts but has so far has been unable to hold the other team scoreless.

"Goalies don't talk about shutouts," Guggenberger said. "It's a superstition we have. The bottom line is [fellow goalie Steve] Silverthorn and I both go out trying to give the team a chance to win every night."

Growing pains

Guggenberger's play has positioned the Brahmas in the thick of the playoff race. But he'll have to settle for cheering on his teammates for the time being after injuring his wrist against Rio Grande Valley in his first start after the all-star game. He is expected to miss two weeks.

Wildfong said he doesn't think the time off with hurt Guggenberger: "He's gaining confidence as he has success, as all players do. And the guys in front of him are playing well, too."

This isn't the goalie's first painful experience on the ice. Guggenberger lost his first permanent tooth during an after-school pickup game when he was 11 or 12.

"It got knocked out when I was playing outdoor hockey," Guggenberger said. "Somebody's stick came up and ended up knocking it out. My mom wasn't happy about that."

Unlike his mother, the young goalie took the gap in his smile in stride, and he can't seem to hide his wide smile as he muses about what the future might hold. The first goal is to lead the Brahmas deep in the playoffs. And after that?

"I'm only signed here for this season, so after that it's whatever gets me closer to the next level," he said. "Everyone's goal is to play in the NHL."

It would be the kind of career kids on frozen ponds dreams about.

Gaga over Googs - Season highlights for Brahmas rookie goalie

4: Games he was named a 3-star player.

5: Power-play goals allowed in 48 opportunities.

6: One-goal games.

No shutouts, yet.

79:49: Longest shutout streak, over two games.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

From Where I Sit - A Close Look at the Berry Conference

Terry Ruskowski said the other day that the playoff race is fully on in both conferences and that every point was important for the rest of the year. I fully agree. With five teams battling for four postseason spots, let’s take a closer look at the one that matters to us…the Brahmas’ conference.

As I write this, Wichita and Allen are in the top two positions and will make the playoffs. But the Brahmas, Killer Bees and Oilers are fighting tooth and nail for the last two coveted places…and one team will be disappointed.

Ten teams are in playoff contention league-wide...the good teams. There are four bottom dwellers who are still dangerous, but I predict will miss the post-season (Laredo, Arizona, Dayton and Bloomington).

TEXAS BRAHMAS - 17-13-7, 41 points. 29 games left - 23 vs. good teams (14 at home); 6 vs. bottom feeders.

The Brahmas have the most home games left of the three teams (18) and the fewest roadies (11). Our defense and goaltending is the best. Even with Guggs dinged a little, Steve Silverthorn will show all that he is a great professional and step up in the interim. The powerplay and scoring in general has been a problem and the team needs another sniper. Lastly, we have the “Shoebox factor” in our favor. We win 3 of every 4 games in our beloved arena.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES - 17-14-5, 39 points. 30 games left - 14 vs. good teams (10 away); 16 vs. bottom feeders.

The Killer Bees have by far the easiest schedule left with most of their games against lowly teams (Laredo- 10, Bloomington - 3, Arizona - 2 and Dayton - 1). Most of their games against playoff contenders will be on the road, including two at the convention center in Fort Worth. The Bees have been playing well lately and have good special teams. If they get David Marshall back from the AHL and a couple more players get healthy, they will be trouble.

TULSA OILERS - 17-14-3, 37 points. 32 games left - 27 vs. good teams (14 away); 5 vs. bottom feeders.

The Oilers have the most games and toughest schedule remaining. They play all but five of their remaining 32 games against contenders. Tulsa is a quality team full of productive rookies that score a lot of goals. They just signed ex-Brahma Steve Christie as a backup 'tender to take some of the load off Keserich. Their defense is suspect. Like the Brahmas, the last third of their season is full of home games.

How will this race unfold ?

My guess is that RGV will be in the playoffs, primarily because their unbalanced schedule dropped ten more games with the Bucks in their laps. Roscoe, who missed the post-season last year, is also very motivated not to let that happen again. The Brahmas chances? I think we will have to beat out a good Tulsa team to get in. We have seven toughies left with Allen but our five against RGV (four at home, one away) and five vs. Tulsa (three at home, two away) will be huge.

It will be exciting ! See you all at the games.

CT

Brahmas, fans to attempt to set three Guinness world records

Team hosts the Wichita Thunder Friday and Saturday

This weekend, the first-place Wichita Thunder will roll into the NYTEX Sports Centre for a two-game series against your Texas Brahmas. All four of this season's games between the two teams thus far have been decided by one goal.

On Friday night, the Brahmas, with help from their fans, will attempt to break three Guinness World Records - the longest air hockey marathon, the most simultaneous fist bumps and the longest conga line on ice.

During the first intermission, fans in attendance will be encouraged to come onto the ice and help break the fist bump and conga line records. The contestants for the air hockey marathon have already been chosen, and the record-setting streak will begin Thursday and conclude at the Brahmas game Friday.

See Yahoo's Puck Daddy blog post here

Unless you have a good excuse, don't miss this weekend's action at NYTEX - the boys need your support. Be there, be loud, believe!

From Where I Sit...The Playoff Chase

Although we're only a few days past the ASG and in mid-season, the playoff chase is heating up with every game and all the teams and coaches know it and feel it.

The league is more competitive than ever. Every team in the league has at least 12 wins and there are no patsies if you are not ready. Every point is critical and in the end, a bounce here or mistake there may make the difference. There is no dominant team and all have their warts and shortcomings. The clubs that improve the most from here on out will make it.

Why is the post-season extra important this year? Yes, every player and coach wants a shot at a title, but the new CHL playoff format (only 4 of 7 qualifying from each Conference) makes it financially vital for each organization to “make it to the dance.” The prize is postseason revenue. This year, each round will guarantee a club from two to four extra home games, depending your seeding and how you play. Every playoff round is best of seven (the way it should be).

In both conferences it appears the fight for the playoffs will be five for four spots affairs. In the Turner, it appears that Fort Wayne, Quad City, Evansville, Missouri and Rapid City will duke it out with Dayton and Bloomington spectators. In the Berry, it will be a dogfight between Wichita, Allen, Texas, Tulsa and Rio Grande Valley with Arizona and Laredo as also rans.

The tussles could very well go down the the final week of the season. It will be exciting to watch especially if the Brahmas make it for the fifth straight season. I hope we have fingernails left for April hockey in NRH.

What I see now is each coach in the CHL massaging his roster...trying to get players back from IR, looking for that “difference maker”…a needed knuckdragger, a backup goalie, an extra scorer. In a few weeks the February 6 (trade) and February 13 (European signing) deadlines will be upon us. After that you go with what you’ve got and hope it works out.

CT

Don't Mess With Texas - Ryan Hand vs. Tyler Barr

Thanks to Brahmas photographer Glen Ellman for the following shots of Ryan Hand's (6'1", 205 pounds) bout against Tyler Barr (6'2", 215 pounds). Glen was shooting from the bench and got these fantastic shots. I shot from upstairs and will add photos to the Insider Flickr page as they are edited.

The Insider Video Interview - Mark Guggenberger

The Brahmas' rookie goaltender talks about joining the Brahmas, being selected as an All-Star and his success in the net

Mark Guggenberger is having the time of his life and if you don't believe that, take a close look at the rookie goaltender's smile on game day. At 23 (as of January 10th), the Richfield, Minnesota native has a 9-4-2 record, leads all Central Hockey League goaltenders with a 2.28 GAA and is ranked #6 with a .918 Save Percentage.

On December 29th, Guggenberger was selected as a reserve goalie for the 2012 CHL All-Star Game, which was held on January 11th at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Guggenberger blocks a shot by Arizona's Mike Gurtler

Guggenberger entered the game in relief of Fort Wayne Komets goalie Nick Boucher at the 9:34 mark of the second period with the score tied 3-3. Stopping 35 of 36 shots faced, he earned what may have been his most significant win of the season. Sure, a meaningless game as far as the standings go, but for a rookie backstopper, a huge honor and a immeasurable thrill.

I spoke to Guggenberger after tonight's 4-2 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. Here is our conversation.

Photo Credits: Top/Robert Keith; Bottom/Les Stukenberg - The Daily Courier