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