Still no magic in Cowtown

Brahmas shut out 4-0 in first game of Fort Worth Face-Off

It was six years, almost to the day that the then Fort Worth Brahmas won their last game at the Fort Worth Convention Center. On Friday, March 3, 2006, a reported 3,596 was in attendance to see Ben Gustavson steal a 3-2 win in a shootout against the Wichita Thunder. It was just the eighth win on home-ice for the hapless Brahmas who went 8-19-5 at the FWCC and would finish the 2005-06 season last in the league with a record of 17-39-8.

OK, enough of that. Excuses - don't believe in them. Time to move on. Last night's game was not representative of the 2011-12 Texas Brahmas and put whatever negative spin on the loss you'd like, but this was but a bump in the road. What to expect tonight on "home" ice (never was a fan of returning to the FWCC)? Don't know. But I'll venture to say it won't be a repeat of last night's debacle.

On the upside, the Laredo Bucks defeated the Allen Americans for the fourth consecutive time and the third third consecutive time on home ice. The Reds have now lost their last four games and will meet the Bucks again tonight at the Laredo Energy Arena. Go Bucks!

(Photo Credit: Bob Haynes/Special to the Star-Telegram)

The Brahmas honored Fort Worth hockey's past last night by wearing vintage Fort Worth Texans-style sweaters for the game. A little research might have shown that to be bad Juju as the Texans went 20-57-3 in their last campaign as a FWCC home team. I'm not superstitious, mind you (well, maybe a little).

Tomas Klempa gave the Bees a 1-0 lead 15:01 into the first period after beating Mark Guggenberger five-hole from the top of the circles. Mike Wilson and Nicolas Rioux were in on the assists.

It was the only score of the first frame, with the Brahmas taking an 8-5 shot advantage into the locker room.

Brandon Campos increased the Bees lead to two at 11:42 of the second period as he backhanded a shot past Guggenberger. The goal was initially waived off but referee Boone Bruggman quickly acknowledged his error and pointed to the net as the goal light came on.

It looked as the Bees would head to the locker room up by two, but with 20 seconds remaining in the period Dan Gendur ripped a slap shot from the top of the circles to the back of the net. The goal came as the Bees were shorthanded, due to a High Sticking call on defenseman Mike Wilson.

The Killer Bees looked like they might be in trouble at the 4:57 mark of the third period as both Brady Leavold (Spearing Double Minor) and Wylie Rogers (Throwing the Stick) were whistled for penalties at the same time. The Leavold penalty provided the Brahmas two minutes of 5-on-3 and two minutes of 5-on-4, but as we all know, that's hardly an advantage in Brahmasland and the boys were unable to convert.

Aaron Lee added his 28th goal of the season with three minutes to play to increase the Killer Bees' lead to 4-0. Leavold earned an assist on the goal.

The Bees would kill the rest of the clock, keeping the Brahmas away from their end to seal the win.

Mark Guggenberger stopped 11 of 15 shots faced and took the loss. His record goes to 18-6-3-3 with a 1.90 GAA (1st in the league) and a .926 Save Percentage (2nd in the league).

The Brahmas were assessed 12 minutes on 6 infractions and went 0 for 6 on the power play.

Referee: Boone Bruggman
Linesman 1: T.J. Nua
Linesman 2: Cory Piche

1st Star: Wylie Rogers (RGV)
2nd Star: Dan Gendur (RGV)
3rd Star: Tomas Klempa (RGV)

You can view Pointstreak's Box Score here and their GameLive broadcast here.

I spent my time preparing for Friday night's game by laying in a hospital bed (lungs) at Baylor Grapevine. Suffice it to say, I was not well enough to make the game, so there are no photos. Tonight is looking doubtful again. but I'm hopeful for a March 9th return to the action at NYTEX.

Now for a little fun, watch Mark Guggenberger "forced" out of the net by Darth Vader in this promo video for Star Wars Night at the FWCC (from Charley Rhoads on YouTube):

Top photo Credit: Fort Worth Convention Center