Former Brahmas coach selected for 2013 Winter Universiade

Forbes MacPherson named Team Canada Assistant Coach

Former Texas Brahmas assistant coach Forbes MacPherson has been selected as one of the assistant coaches for Team Canada at the 26th Winter World University Games.

Gardiner MacDougall, head coach of the reigning CIS champion UNB Varsity Reds, will serve as Team Canada bench boss and will be assisted by MacPherson and St. Francis Xavier's Brad Peddle.

The trio was selected by a committee chaired by AUS men's hockey convenor John Ryan.

"We are thrilled to have these three AUS head coaches lead the 2013 men's hockey team on behalf of the conference and CIS," said Ryan, the Director of Athletics at Cape Breton University. "Gardiner, Brad and Forbes bring a great deal of passion, experience and knowledge of the game of hockey and they will no doubt represent us very well on the international stage. I am confident these three individuals will work very diligently over the coming months to put the very best team possible to represent CIS in Slovenia."

At the biennial multi-sport event, which will run from January 30th to February 9th, Canada will be represented in men's hockey by a team comprised entirely of players from the AUS conference.

MacPherson, a native of Stratford, P.E.I., has led the University of Prince Edward Island hockey program since 2009 and has played or coached for a number of years at both the university and professional levels.

He skated for the University of New Brunswick from 1991-93 and then with the Panthers from 1994-96, before moving on to professional stops in the CoHL, IHL, ECHL, WPHL and AHL. From 2000-07, he was a player/assistant coach with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (WPHL & CHL), and from 2007-08, was assistant coach and assistant director of hockey operations for the Texas Brahmas.

Canada has tallied an impressive 12 medals in 13 all-time appearances at the Universiade men's hockey tournament, including three gold, three silver and six bronze.

In addition to the title won by the all-AUS team in 2007 in Italy, Canada was crowned in 1991 in Sapporo, Japan, while represented by the senior national squad, and in 1981 in Jaca, Spain, when the University of Alberta Golden Bears wore the Maple Leaf uniform.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Killer Bees sting Brahmas with 5-4 shootout win

Chad Woollard scores natural hat trick in Brahmas' OT loss

The Brahmas suffered defeat for the third straight game as the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bee stole the win on Saturday night at the State Farm Arena.

The Bees and Brahmas fought back and forth for the upper hand in the high scoring game. The game was sent into overtime and then a shootout after the two teams tried to break the third tie of the night at 4-4. In the end, RGV's Aaron Lee scored the game-winner in the shootout.

With the loss, the Brahmas earned a point in the standings which was enough to give them sole possession of third place in the Berry Conference with a 20-17-8 record (48 points). This puts them a point ahead of the Tulsa Oilers, 11 points behind second-place Allen and 12 points behind first-place Wichita.

The first period saw a great deal of action as the Killer Bees and the Brahmas each registered a pair of goals, three of which in the first five minutes.

The Killer Bees took an early lead thanks to a Zac Pearson goal 1:59 into the opening frame. Pearson took the puck in from the top of the right circle where it was stopped at first by Mark Guggenberger. After a scramble around the net, Pearson managed to tap it in to register the first goal of the night. Phillip Ischi and Jake Hauswirth earned the assists.

The Killer Bees struck again at the 4:24 mark when Nicolas Rioux took a feed from Jason Dixon and fired one past Guggenberger from the point. Jake Hauswirth earned his second assist of the night on the play.

Just 32 seconds later, Chad Woollard scored one for the Brahmas. T.J. Fox had the assist. Then, at the 13:23 mark, Woollard teamed up again with Fox and got another one past Wylie Rogers to tie the game up at 2-2.

The tie held up as the teams went into the locker rooms for the first intermission. Shots were even at eight apiece.

Woollard secured a natural hat trick early in the second period when he scored his third goal of the night at the 3:36 mark, giving Texas a one point advantage.

The advantage didn't last long though - Phillip Ischi tied the game at 3-3 at the 4:43 mark. Mike Wilson drove the puck from the defensive side and fed it to Ischi who found the back of the net from the slot.

Adam Hogg answered back for the Brahmas shortly afterward, which put Texas back in the lead at 4-3 for the remainder of the period.

The Brahmas had a 12-8 shot advantage in the middle frame.

The game slowed in the third period until Kirill Startsev put the puck between the pipes 10:58 into the period and tied the game for the third time at 4-4. Craig Lineker and Mike Wilson assisted the goal.

The Brahmas held the 8-6 shot advantage in the third period but neither goalie could be beat again and the game was sent into overtime tied at 4-4, and then went into a shootout. Chris Moran, T.J. Fox, Adam Hogg, Chad Woollard and Phil Fox shot for the Brahmas but were unable to beat Rogers. Aaron Lee scored the game-winning goal for the Bees.

The Brahmas characteristically went 0 for 5 on the power play. The Bucks went 3 for 4. The Brahmas were assessed 15 minutes on six infractions; the Bucks received 27 minutes on eight infractions.

Mark Guggenberger stopped 22 of 26 shots faced and takes the overtime loss. His record goes to 9-4-3 with a 2.24 GAA (2nd in the league) and a .918 Save Percentage (6th in the league).

The Brahmas were assessed 12 minutes on six infractions and went 0 for 1 on the power play.

Referee: Steve Cruikshank
Linesman 1: Aaron Chockla
Linesman 2: Brad Duncan

1st Star: Phillip Ischi (RGV)
2nd Star: Chad Woollard
3rd Star: Jake Hauswirth (RGV)

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

The Brahmas have returned home and will host the Allen Americans on Friday night with the opening puck drop slated for 7:30 pm CST.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Shut out, part 2

Laredo Solves Avramenko again and wins 1-0

61:43. 'Nuff said.

It took the Bucks just 1:43 to score on Avramenko - their first shot in the game. Rusty Masters had the short-handed, unassisted strike following a Hooking call on Matt R. Pierce 23 seconds into the contest. Dan Wildfong pulled Avramenko immediately and sent in Mark Guggenberger, who proceeded to stop the next four shots before the first intermission. Word is that Avramenko received some coaching advice from Fonger - 'nuff said, part 2.

The Brahmas had the narrow 6-5 shot advantage in the first 20 minutes.

Things got Chippy in the middle frame but there was no scoring. New Brahmas forward Tyler Barr dropped the gloves with Justin Styffe and both received the customary Fighting Majors at the 7:03 mark. Erik Spady was called for Cross Checking at the 9:58 mark. Barr and Styffe received matching Roughing calls at the 17:05 mark and Adam Hogg was written up for Interference at the 19:43 mark. Phew!

Guggenberger and Jung remained perfect, stopping 12 and seven shots, repectively during the period.

Let's just say more of the same in the third period, physical play, no scoring, goaltenders perfect. The Bucks took the win, shutting out the Brahmas for the second consecutive night.

Adam Avramenko faced one shot and, well, let's just say he earned the loss. Mark Guggenberger stopped all 24 shots faced in relief. Torrie Jung stopped all 27 shots faced and earned the win.

The Brahmas went 0 for 2 on the power play; the Bucks went 0 for 7. Texas was assessed 21 minutes on nine infractions; Laredo received 11 minutes on four infractions.

Referee: Mark-Andre Lavoie
Linesman 1: James Sanders
Linesman 2: John Grandt

1st Star: Torrie Jung (LAR)
2nd Star: Rusty Masters (LAR)
3rd Star: Adam Rivet (LAR)

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

The Brahmas are in Hidalgo, Texas to play the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees tonight with the opening face off set for 7:30 pm CST.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Jaeger finds new success in Germany

Former Brahmas goalie has shutout in first start for Bremerhaven

When Brett Jaeger joined his new team in Bremerhaven, he entered a three-way battle for the number one spot in net - and quickly made a strong first impression. Jaeger's first start for the Penguins was on Sunday against the Hannover Indians and he not only earned a win, but a 3-0 shutout.

Jaeger signed with the Fischtown Pinguins (also known as Bremerhaven REV) who play in Germany's 2nd Bundesliga. Home ice is the Bremerhaven Ice Arena which opened in March of last year and seats 4,250. With a record, the Penguins are in 7th place

Jaeger began the season with Copenhagen Hockey in Denmark's AL-Bank Ligaen where he played 27 games and had a 3.12 GAA and a .908 Save Percentage.

Copenhagen had no chance of making the playoffs and all foreign players were granted releases from the club.

"My team in Denmark wanted to transfer me and the Penguins were interested - that's how it goes sometimes in hockey," Jaeger said. "But it's good for me. For me this is a step up the ladder."

Jaeger with former Swedish goalie and current trainer Gunnar Borg

Veteran backstopper Marko Suvelo and Sebastian Staudt might not have enjoyed hearing another goalie was coming but Jaeger took the situation in stride.

"The situation is what it is," Jaeger said. "I will train hard and be available. I hope I can help the team when I play."

Classic Jaegs. Always the consummate professional.

Here's an interview with Jaeger from last Monday during his first day of practice with his new club (have patience with the translator). Watch the looks on Jaeger's face as he begins to wonder why he's still standing there as the two commentators start a lengthy discussion in German:

The Penguins defeated the Landshut Cannibals today by a score of 6-5 with Jaeger in goal. Two starts, two wins. The penguins play again on Sunday.

Photo Credits: Top/Radio Bremen; Bottom/Nordsee-Zeitung

Brahmas acquire Tyler Barr

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees forward picked up off waivers

The Texas Brahmas signed former Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees forward Tyler Barr today, according to Pointstreak.com.

Barr, 23, began the season with the New Jersey Outlaws (FHL) where he played 28 games and tallied 12 points (7 G, 5 A) and 161 penalty minutes. He signed with the Killer Bees on January 13th and played eight games before he was waived on February 2nd. With the Killer Bees, Barr had one goal and 13 PIM.

Barr spent the past two seasons with the Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL) where he accumulated 22 points (8 G, 14 A) and 289 PIM in 99 regular season games. He added three points (1 G, 2 A) and 2 PIM in three post-season contests last season.

The North Vancouver, BC native played the majority of his Junior hockey career in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Burnaby Express, Langley Chiefs and Merritt Centennials. In 2008-09, he played for the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL).

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

There are losses and then there are losses...

Brahmas defeated 6-0 in Laredo

March 24, 2006. That's the last time a Brahmas team was shut out 6-0.

The team was on the road at the Chevrolet Center in Youngstown, Ohio for the second game in a three-game series to close out the regular season.

The SteelHounds (who had a 5-2 win the night before after losing ten straight at home) had their way with the Brahmas as five different players (including four players with one goal and two assists each) scored goals on Andrew Martin who had yet to post a win since being claimed off waivers at the end of January.

A sixth goal at the beginning of the third period sealed the shut out for the home team and the fans got a free Big Mac at one of SteelHounds owner Herb Washington's McDonald's franchises.

It wasn't the worst loss for the then Fort Worth Brahmas that season - just 14 days earlier, they were on the receiving end of a 8-0 road loss to the Colorado Eagles.

OK, enough for the trip down memory lane.

What can you say about Wednesday night's game?

The Bucks controlled the first period of play from the drop of the puck. Justin Styffe got the Bucks on the board just 2:04 into the game when he scored a short-handed unassisted goal on Adam Avramenko.

The Bucks were able to kill off two Brahmas power plays, before it was their turn to have the man-advantage due to a Hooking call on Adam Hogg at the 14:58 mark. The Brahmas penalty-killers were successful but the Bucks went back on the power play at the 18:43 mark after an Interference call on Thomas Galiani .

This time David Inman put it past Avramenko with just 13.4 seconds left in the period. Neil Trimm and Matt Boyd assisted on the goal which gave the Bucks a 2-0 lead to end the period.

The Bucks out shot the Brahmas 8-6 in the opening frame.

Laredo continued to dominate the game during the second period of play.

Ryan Sparling scored on another power play at the 3:32 mark. The rebound goal was assisted by David Inman and Adam Rivet.

Rusty Masters scored an even-strength goal at the 6:51 mark, assisted by Ryan Sparling giving Laredo a 4-0 lead.

At the 14:22 mark, it was Neil Trimm’s turn to get on the board with a power play goal, following a Hooking call on Phil Fox. Matt Pierce and A.J. Hau assisted on the goal.

Shortly after the goal, the game took a physical turn as former Buck Ryan Hand dropped the gloves with Justin Styffe. Hand received two minutes for Charging as well as a Fighting major. Styffe received a two minute Fighting (Instigator), a five minute Fighting Major and a 10 minute Fighting (Instigator) Misconduct.

The Bucks out shot the Brahmas 15-13 in the middle frame.

Matt Boyd scored the sixth goal of the night 4:34 into the third period. Neil Trimm earned his third assist of the game and Matt Pierce earned his second assist with the Boyd goal.

The Bucks continued to control the puck throughout the final frame although the Brahmas had a 10-7 shot advantage.

Torrie Jung played flawlessly to earn his second shut-out in less than a week and helped the Bucks earn the 6-0 victory. Adam Avramenko stopped 24 of 30 shots faced and earned the loss in his professional debut. Welcome to the CHL.

The Brahmas characteristically went 0 for 5 on the power play. The Bucks went 3 for 4. The Brahmas were assessed 15 minutes on six infractions; the Bucks received 27 minutes on eight infractions.

Again, what can you say about this game? Best not say anything. Let's just file this one away and forget it ever happened.

Referee: Mark-Andre Lavoie
Linesman 1: James Sanders
Linesman 2: John Grandt

1st Star: Torrie Jung (LAR)
2nd Star: Neil Trimm (LAR)
3rd Star: David Inman (LAR)

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

The Brahmas will remain in Laredo and take on the Bucks again on Friday night with the opening puck drop slated for 7:30 pm CST.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith