Guggenberger, Brahmas blank the Americans

Four unanswered goals tallied after scoreless first period

The fans had billed it the St. Valentine's Day Massacre a day before the game was even played and while a 4-0 rout isn't quite a massacre, the end result is just as satisfying.

The Texas Brahmas, led by rookie goalie Mark Guggenberger and Captain Adam Hogg held off the Americans in the first period and then proceeded to score four unanswered in the next 40 minutes to earn their first shut out of the season and their first win at the Allen Event Center since February 15, 2010. It was also the Brahmas' first regulation win ever at the AEC.

Yes, the wine and cheese crowd was more silent than usual as their team was humiliated on home ice. Yes, they'll whine about injuries and such but at least they got a booby prize in that their stellar goalie, Rejean Beauchemin was awarded the 3rd Star of the game for allowing all the scores last night. We'll go along with that - 3rd Star for the Brahmas!

Mark Guggenberger earned his first professional shut out, stopping all 26 shots faced and taking the 1st Star of the game. How often do you see opposing goalies on the "3 Stars of the Game"?

After a scoreless first frame, the Brahmas led the shot count 13-7 but failed to score on the only power play of the game, assessed when Mike Berube was called for Slashing at the 15:22 mark.

The penalties racked up during the second period, which included a fight between Tyler Barr and the Americans' Scott Langdon.

Adam Hogg took advantage of an Elbowing call on Jarrett Lukin at the 1:38 mark and beat Beauchemin 55 seconds later with a set up by Brendon Hodge and T.J. Fox. Just 1:09 later, Chad Woollard found Jacques Perreault in front of the net, and the third-year defenseman put the puck past Beauchemin to give the Brahmas a 2-0 lead.

Allen had an 11-9 shot advantage in the middle frame but went into the locker room down 2-0.

The Brahmas added two more goals late in the third period, starting with a strike by Andrew Lackner at the 17:06 mark. Adam Hogg and T.J. Fox were credited with the assists.

Allen sent out the goons in the final minutes of the game and the move backfired as Goon #1 Trevor Hendrikx (Roughing, Cross Checking) and Goon #2 Brett Clouthier (Roughing) were sent to the sin bin at the 18:45 mark. Tyler Barr scored his second goal of the season on the resulting power play with Gregg Eskedjian and Lackner assisting to seal the final score at 4-0 at the 19:41 mark.

Mark Guggenberger stopped 26 of 26 shots faced and earned the win. HIs record goes to 12-4-3 with a .922 save percentage and a CHL-best 2.11 GAA.

The Brahmas were assessed 11 minutes on four infractions and went 2 for 6 on the power play.

Referee: Mark-Andre Lavoie
Linesman 1: Bill McGoldrick
Linesman 2: John Grandt

1st Star: Mark Guggenberger
2nd Star: Adam Hogg (1 G, 1 A)
3rd Star: Rejean Beauchemin (ALN)

You can view the box score here and the GameLive broadcast here.

The Brahmas have returned home and will host the Dayton Gems tonight with the opening puck drop slated for 7:30 pm CST.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith