Sunday, December 5th

Well, it was good to come out of the previous weekend with a couple of really big wins. We came from behind to beat Laredo in overtime in the last seconds of the game. That was a really huge and then obviously to beat Bossier- Shreveport on Saturday was also a really big win. They’re doing really well this season and they’ve beat us a couple of times in this building already – so that was a really big win.

After that, we had a couple of days off. We had Sunday off and Monday was an optional day - a few guys skated but a lot of guys took the day off after a long week the week before with four games in five nights. But as of Tuesday, we all got back to work to get ready for the games against Missouri and Colorado.
It was a normal week of practice for the most part. After the big weekend with a couple of wins, the mood was pretty good in the locker room – a lot of the guys were having fun.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go well on Friday night and the outcome wasn’t what it needed to be. We definitely don’t want to lose games in our building and to lose 4-1 was hard. We didn’t think that we put in the effort that was necessary to win that game – we had a few opportunities but our effort just wasn’t what it needed to be.

I’m the team captain, but we have enough leaders on this team –everybody knows their role and everybody knew that Friday night wasn’t what it needed to be and we definitely didn’t want to lose back-to-back games on home ice.

On Saturday night against the Eagles, we battled. We battled hard and the effort was where it needed to be. I think we really dominated the game from start to finish.

Everybody gets the system that we play here and everybody has bought in. All of us knew we had to come back with a better effort, and from top to bottom, we did it. We had good goaltending, good results from our lines and everybody down the row put in the right kind of effort and it showed on the scoreboard.

We’ve got the holidays coming up, but we’re trying to remain focused on winning. This is still our job and we’re here to win games. We know we’ve got to come into the rink ready to play each and every night and then when it comes time to get those few days off, we’ll enjoy the time off but also take care of our bodies and be ready for those games after Christmas too because we don’t want to take a step back coming off of a break like that.

Maxwell placed on IR

Brahmas forward Roger Maxwell has been placed on the 10-day injured reserve according to Pointstreak. Maxwell left the ice favoring his shoulder and arm following a scrape with Mavericks captain Carlyle Lewis on Friday night. He joins Jesse Dudas, Calin Wild and Mick Lawrence who are also out on IR.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

1-8-1

Brahmas defeat Stewart's Eagles 4-1

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas (December 4)- Four goals, physical play and strong defense sent the Brahmas soaring over the Eagles Saturday night as they beat Colorado 4-1 at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The Eagles now have an all-time record (including playoffs) of 1-8-1 at the NYTEX Sports Centre.

Assistant Coach Greg Pankewicz acted as the Eagles' bench boss as Head Coach Chris Stewart served a one-game suspension for his disagreement with referee Tudor Floru Friday night. Floru, who was scheduled to ref the game in Texas, was replaced by Geoff Miller.

Texas came out of the gates with guns a blazing, out shooting Colorado 14-4 in the first period. Tempers matched the heat of the Brahmas sticks at the end of the period as Tyler Allen and Riley Nelson took exception of one another earning matching fighting calls at the buzzer, with an additional roughing minor tacked on to Allen.

The Brahmas began the period with a 5-on-3 disadvantage, but the league’s top ranked PK unit was able to defer any Eagles scoring chances. With teddy bears in tow and geared to be tossed to the ice following Texas’ first goal for the Brahmas annual “Teddy Bear Toss”, Alex Curran set the toys loose when he netted his second goal of the season with a shot from the point at the 16:48 mark. Exactly one minute later Greg Hogeboom’s quick shot directly from the face off beat Kyle Jones for the Texas 2-0 lead.

A pair of goals in the third took the wind out of the Eagles sails beginning with a Dan Riedel tally five minutes into the final period. Todd Griffith took a rebound off the pipe to register his third goal with Texas; assists from Riedel and Matt Pierce. Kevin Beech’s flawless night was interrupted with 1:39 remaining in the game with a goal by Daymen Rycroft, but the Brahmas held on to their 4-1 victory to close their home stand.

With the victory, the Brahmas handed Eagles’ net minder Jones’ his first regulation loss of the season. Texas out shot Colorado 36-19.

The Brahmas now begin their December road trip starting Tuesday when they head south to take on the Laredo Bucks for a 7:oo pm face off. The Brahmas next home game is set for Saturday, December 18 when they host the Odessa Jackalopes.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Missed it by that much (click photo to enlarge). Bill Vandermeer's shot slips past Wayne Savage

Mavericks spoil the night at NYTEX

Brahmas lose 4-1

"We didn’t think that we put in the effort that was necessary to win the game – we had a few opportunities but our effort just wasn’t what it needed to be." - Jason Deitsch

It looked like it would be an evenly matched game and coming off the overtime win against Laredo last Friday and the win against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Saturday, Brahmas fans expected a little more than what they got during last night's match against the Missouri Mavericks. In the end, what they got was a total of 17 shots on goal and four unanswered goals allowed which resulted in the fourth loss at the NYTEX Sports Centre this season.

Just 1:27 into the contest, Roger Maxwell and Mavericks winger Carlyle Lewis dropped the gloves after some words were exchanged during a face off. Lewis appeared to plead for leniency and Maxwell was quickly pulled to the ice and the two went to their respective bins to serve their five minutes.

The Mavericks had a power play opportunity at the 7:07 mark after Brahmas defenseman Jim Burichin was called for hooking but the league's best penalty killers did their job and shut down the advantage.

The Brahmas tallied their only goal on their second shot of the opening frame when Matt Pierce sent a deflection past Rob Nolan at the 11:40 mark. Jason Krischuk and Jason Deitsch assisted.

That was in fact, the only score in the first 20 minutes of the game during which a combined 10 shots on goal were made. Missouri had the 6-4 advantage but found themselves down a point heading into the first intermission. Their fortune would soon change.

Nick Sirota quickly tied the game for the Mavericks when he scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season at the 3:38 mark of the second period. Mike Wakita and Ryan Jardine were credited with the assists.

and Ryan Bill Vandermeer scored his first goal of the season to give Missouri the 2-1 lead with a little help from SirotaJardine at the 15:25 mark. Vandermeer’s goal, which was ultimately the game-winner, came in just his third game back from an off-season injury that sidelined him more than a month to start this season.

Missouri had an 11-8 shot advantage in the middle frame and remarkably, there were no penalties called.

The Mavericks added to their lead in the third period with a power play goal from defenseman Dominic D’Amour at the 7:38 mark. Toby Lafrance and Ray Dilauro were in on the assist.

DiLauro ended the scoring at the 9:02 mark on an assist from Derek Pallardy.

Missouri out shot Texas 8-5 in the final period and went 25-17 overall.

With the loss, the Brahmas record goes to 9-6-2 (20 points) but they remain in third place in the Berry Conference. Texas is now 5-3-1 on home ice.

Wayne Savage stopped 21 of 25 shots faced and takes the loss. His record goes to 3-4-1 with a 2.89 GAA and a .906 save percentage.

Rob Nolan turned away 16 of 17 shots faced to earn his fifth win of the season. His record goes to 5-2-2.

The Brahmas went 0 for 2 on the power play. The Mavericks went 1 for 6. The Brahmas were assessed 15 minutes on 6 infractions. The Mavericks received 11 minutes on 4 infractions.

The 3rd Star of the game went to Matt Pierce, who scored the Brahma's lone goal on the night. The 2nd Star was awarded to Ray DiLauro, who had a goal and an assist and the 1st Star went to Nick Sirota, who also had a goal and an assist.

Referee: Dan Dreger
Linesmen: Justin Bell, Bill McGoldrick

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

You can view the Brahmas' press release here

You can view my photos from the game here and here (Camera B not edited yet)

The Brahmas host the Colorado Eagles tonight, which is also ‘Teddy Bear Toss’ night. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to the game to toss onto the ice following the first Texas goal. The stuffed animals will be donated to the Community Enrichment Center of North Richland Hills.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Brahmas add another NU player

Rookie Forward Chris Moran signs

With the departure of Tom Train comes the arrival of rookie forward Chris Moran, who signed a contract with the Texas Brahmas today. Moran, 23, played 12 games with the Wichita Thunder, tallying seven points (2 G, 5 A) before he was waived on November 26th.

A business major at Niagra University in Lewiston, New York, Moran played four seasons with the Purple Eagles. The 5' 11" play making forward averaged nearly a point a game during his career, finishing with 141 points (38 G, 103 A) and 103 penalty minutes in 146 games played.

Moran earned College Hockey America Rookie of the Year honors and All-Rookie team accolades after the 2006-07 season. The Buffalo, New York native was a member of the 2008 CHA Championship team (he tied the game at two, before the eventual game-winning goal was scored by teammate Kyle Rogers).

The two-time CHA All-Academic Team member earned First Team All-CHA laurels as a senior and also participated in the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Among his teammates were current Brahmas defenseman Jim Burichin and Rio Grande Valley goalie Juliano Pagliero.

Prior to attending NU, Moran played a season with the Omaha Lancers (USHL) where he registered 42 points (15 G, 27 A) and 28 PIM in 60 games played.

Moran played two seasons with the Buffalo Lightning (OPJHL) where, during the 2004-05 season, he contributed 100 points (38 G, 62 A) and 69 PIM (second in the OPJHL and first in the West Conference). He was named the Ontario Hockey Association's Junior “A” Player of the Year, becoming the first American to ever receive the honor.

Photo Credit: Niagra University

Train Departs

Rookie center placed on waivers

The Texas Brahmas placed rookie center and Hurst, Texas native Tom Train on waivers today according to Pointstreak. Train played just six games this season, abbreviated by two stints on the injured reserve. The 25-year-old spent four seasons with the Texas Tornado (NAHL) followed by four seasons at the University of Alabama - Huntsville (CHA) before joining the Brahmas.

Train saw limited action with few shifts during his time with the Brahmas. He averaged a shot on goal per game and a total of nine penalty minutes. Probably his most memorable action on the ice for the purple and black was his fight with Odessa defenseman Alex Dunn at NYTEX on November 12th.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith