In case you missed it...

Here is Dan Wildfong on XM/Sirius Radio

Texas Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong appeared as a guest on Hockey This Morning XM and Sirius Radio 208 with host Scott Laughlin. Here is a transcript of his appearance.

Q: The Ray Miron President's Cup is up for grabs now in the championship series of the Central Hockey League. Texas beat Colorado by a score of 5-3 last night and the Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong joins us here this morning. How are you doing Dan?

A: I'm doing great, how are you doing?

Q: Great. I appreciate your time. Now tell us about last night's victory - two goals in a 12 second span, 3 for 7 on the power play - I guess that'll work for you, eh?

A: Yeah, you know, we got down 3-2 going into the third and the boys, we could've quit, but they just continued to keep pressing and we got a couple of quick goals which really sparked us and we got one late, so we'll take them any way we can get them at this point of the year.

Q: Well I know Dan, that you knew the opposition, Colorado, pretty well from your time in the Northern Conference last season but you met Colorado only once in the regular season this time around. I guess the logical question is, was it difficult to prepare for a team like the Eagles?

A: Obviously when you play a team a lot in the regular season, you get a little more read on their power play/penalty kill but my assistant coach, Ron Vogel and myself, we did a lot of research on the past couple of games, watching tape and calling other coaches, trying to get tendencies, but at the end of the day, it just comes down to the players reading and reacting as well. So, I thought our players did a good job. The first game, it's nice to get that first win but we've got to do a good job in the next game as well.

Q: Now you lost to Colorado last year in game seven of the conference finals. Are you using that as a motivating factor? I mean, do you remember that feeling from last year; it's not a good feeling to have, but do you find that the players are remembering last year as a motivation this time around?

A: Yeah, definitely. We had 11 players last year that got put out by Colorado. We felt like our first couple of games, we kind of just sat back...so we had a few meetings before our series here started . We really wanted to stress how important every game is and every shift is and how important it is for us to get off to a good start and not sit back. They've got a great team over there; we know that, but we have a great team as well and we can't sit back against a good team. You've got to blast through them and that's what we tried to do.

Q: Dan, what about the contribution of your fourth line or the fans, let's say. I know that there was at least one sports bar down there in Texas last night where they gathered last night to watch Game One of the series. Can you talk to us about the support that you've received from the fans down there in Texas?

A: It's just been outstanding. I think they had at least two or three hundred people at Zuroma's; it's a little sports bar at our rink there and it was just outstanding to have so much support from our fans. They're part of the reason why we have such a good record at home, because of all their support. We are very happy that we have great fans that support us and are willing to go to a sports bar to watch us perform while we're on the road.

Q: We've got about a minute left here Dan. I just want to ask you, the American Hockey League is adding a franchise in Austin, Texas for next season. Is there any downside to this because the Dallas Stars really helped put hockey on the map down there in the Texas area - you guys are playing your part as well. Is there any downside to Austin getting a team or is this all positive?

A: No, I think it's only going to help. It's great that Austin has an American League franchise. We're the closest AA team to Austin, so, I know they're going to be affiliated with Iowa as well as a AA program but if they need emergency guys, we could send guys up to them. I just think that the more hockey we have down here, it's only going to make it better for hockey in the South and in Texas. You know, the Star, I think they were really looking for an affiliate last year that would help them and having an affiliate next year, I think will really help them in developing a lot of their players.

Q: Dan, thank you very much for your time. It's always a pleasure to catch up with you. Best of luck to you in game number two tomorrow night.

A: Thanks, I really appreciate it.

Q: That's Dan Wildfong, the head coach of the Texas Brahmas. They are up 1-0 in their series against Colorado. Game Two going tomorrow evening and the Texas Brahmas looking for their first ever Central Hockey League Championship.

Image Credit: Texas Brahmas/XM and Sirius Radio

Dan Wildfong on Hockey This Morning with Scott Laughlin

Listen on XM and Sirius Radio 208

Dan Wildfong will make national radio airwaves tomorrow morning on Hockey This Morning on XM and Sirius Radio 208 with host Scott Laughlin at 9:45 AM.

This will be coach Wildfong's second guest appearance on Laughlin's show, the first coming in November. Topics of discussion will focus on the Brahmas road to the CHL Finals and their series against Coloroado for the Ray Miron President's Cup.

Please set your alarms and tune in to hear the candid interview between Coach Wildfong and hockey expert Scott Laughlin tomorrow morning at 9:45 AM (CST).

If you do not have satellite radio, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial on the internet and listen in on your computer. It's quick and easy and can be done here

Photo Credit: Hockey This Morning

2009 Ray Miron President's Cup Championship Series

Brahmas win Game One at the Budweiser Events Center 5-3

It was a frustrating night for 5,289 Colorado Eagles fans this evening at the Budweiser Events Center as the Texas Brahmas took Game One of the 2009 Ray Miron President's Cup Championship Series. It was huge win for the Brahmas who were certainly the underdogs coming into tonight's game, on the road and playing in one of the toughest barns in the league. The victory also marked Dan Wildfong's 100th win as head coach of the Brahmas.

"I don't know if it was our best game," Wildfong said. "I thought we shut it off really well and then we kind of got away from some of the stuff that's been working for us. But you know, when we got down, I thought the guys all stuck together and didn't quit. A lot of teams would have shut her down. We drew a penalty and Tyler gets a nice goal on a feed from Kevin McLeod and ties it up and then Shep gets his big goal and Cam gets the big goal. It was a good job. It wasn't the best game in the world, but it was a good character game."

The Brahmas controlled the tempo of the first period, controlling the action in the neutral zone and keeping the Eagles in their defensive zone for much of the first ten minutes. The Brahmas got the first power play of the game, courtesy of a interference call on defenseman Jason Beatty at the 3:09 mark but were unable to capitalize. Colorado continued to struggle and it was six and a half minutes into the period before the they were able to get their first shot on goal.

A second call on Beatty, this time for tripping, led to the first score of the game. Just 30 seconds into the power play, Mike Vellinga sent a low shot in that ended up bouncing outside the crease, long enough for Grant Jacobsen to set up Tyler Skworchinski, who sent the puck past Andrew Penner at the 11:09 mark for the 1-0 lead.

The Brahmas' first penalty of the night was called on Scott Sheppard for slashing and set up Colorado's first power play of the night. Left winger Kevin Ulanski would score the equalizer, after Riley Nelson threaded a pass from the left circle to Ed McGrane at the point. McGrane's low shot was stopped by Brett Jaeger, but Kevin Ulanski was right there to get the rebound and send it in just 48 seconds into the man-advantage at the 15:22 mark.

The Brahmas went on their third power play of the evening after Steve Haddon was called for hooking with just under three minutes left in the period. Following a face off in the left circle, Greg McConnell sent a shot from the left point that was deflected by Matt Quinn, who had positioned himself in front of Andrew Penner. Quinn's shot went in and the Brahmas re-took the lead with just two seconds left on the advantage.

After 20 minutes, the Brahmas led the shot count 13-11, went 2 for 3 on the power play and went into the locker room with a 2-1 lead. The Brahmas are now 8-0 when scoring first and 9-0 when leading after the opening period in the postseason.

The Eagles had time left on a power play to start the second period, but the Brahmas PK was able to mitigate. at the 8:05 mark, Mike Vellinga was called for hooking after Greg Pankewicz put on a weak performance with a spin to the ice after getting an incidental tap on the ankle from the Brahma defenseman's stick. But Panks got a surprise when he was also sent to the box for diving. There was no score on the four-on-four play.

Later, after center Adam Hogg was called for holding, the Colorado penalty killers were able to tie the game up again with a short-handed goal by Steve Haddon. Kevin Ulanski sent a pass from below the goal line to Haddon, who was making his way down the slot. Haddon's initial shot was stopped by Jaeger, but he was able to get the rebound before two Brahmas defenders could react and put it past the Brahmas' goalie at the 12:52 mark.

Colorado played a lot better in the middle frame but their frustration built as the period progressed because they were unable to build any momentum off of Haddon's goal. Although they controlled the remainder of the period, out-shooting Texas 10-1, they were unable to beat Jaeger on several scoring opportunities.

The Eagles would lead the shot count 13-12 in the period, but after 40 minutes the Brahmas still had a 25-24 shot advantage and the game remained tied 2-2.

Colorado took their first and only lead of the game at the 2:01 mark of the third after Kevin Ulanski took the puck down the left wing and circled behind the net avoiding defenseman Nathan Saunders. Ulanski made his way into the right circle and sent his shot past Jaeger to make it a 3-2 game. Scott Polaski was credited with the assist.

Down, but not out, the Brahmas re-gained the lead with a pair of goals, just 12 seconds apart.

The first came on the power play after Brett Hammond was called for high-sticking Kevin McLeod. 15 seconds later, McLeod sent a beautiful pass from the right point to Tyler Skworchinski, who crashed the left side of the crease and tapped the puck past an out of position Andrew Penner to tie the score 3-3 at the 5:44 mark. Jordan Cameron was also credited with the assist.

Then, after Jason Deitsch won the ensuing face off, Scott Sheppard took a feed from Brandon Benedict and worked the puck down the right wing all alone, placing a slap shot into the top right corner of the Colorado net for the game-winner at the 5:56 mark.

The Brahmas would add another goal at the 16:10 mark when Jordan Cameron's shot went into the Eagles' net after hitting Jason Beatty's skate.

Colorado led the shot count again in the third period at 10-8 and managed to take a 34-33 lead in the game but Brett Jaeger remained strong in net and the Brahmas held onto the two-goal lead to win the game 5-3.

Jaeger stopped 31 of 34 shots and remains at the top of his game with nine post-season wins, a 1.95 GAA and a .938 save percentage. Andrew Penner ended the night with his third playoff loss with 28 saves on 33 shots.

"I think Jaegs played well," Dan Wildfong said. "He made some big saves. I can't really fault him on any goals. That's all you ask from your goaltender, you know, to make big saves when you need him to. I'm sure if you would ask him, he would say he would want to work on a few things, but he's done a good job."

The Brahmas were assessed 10 minutes on five infractions. Colorado was assessed 16 minutes on eight infractions. The Brahmas went 3 for 7 on the power play. Colorado was held to 1 for 4.

The 3rd star went to Scott Sheppard, who had the game-winning goal tonight. The 2nd star was awarded to Colorado's Kevin Ulanski who two goals and an assist to lead the Colorado effort. The 1st star was awarded to Tyler Skworchinski, who had two power play goals on the night.

You can view the box score here

In the history of the CHL, the team that has won Game One of the Finals has gone on to win the Cup 15 of 16 seasons. Let's hope that holds true as the Brahmas head into Game Two on Friday night.

Game Two is coming up on Friday night with an 8:05pm CST start. The legue has said that the game will not be broadcast on Nifty-TV due to the broadcast by the television on the Altitude Network. If that holds true, fans can listen to the game here

Photo Credit: Reporter-Herald/Christopher Stark

The Central Hockey League's Bob Hoffman responds

Complaints about the Playoff schedule are addressed

After receiving several complaints from Texas Brahmas fans about the schedule for the President's Cup series, the CHL's Director of Communications, Bob Hoffman sent the following in an e-mail.

Fans,

Recently, you expressed your displeasure with the CHL Playoff schedule between the Texas Brahmas and the Colorado Eagles. I wanted to take the time to address your concerns and explain the process that led ultimately to the schedule selected. Many factors were taken into account and many doors were opened to try and find a better solution for the Brahmas but in the end securing a weekend date for them for the finals was not possible.

Contributing Factors:

-As it has been in all past seasons, the higher seeded team (Colorado) gets to present their preference of home dates which are weighed more heavily than the preference of the lower seeded team (Texas). Colorado, selected Wednesday, April 29th and Friday, May 1st which was far from unreasonable due to the conclusion of the Conference Finals series. This eliminated any chance to play on Saturday, May 2nd in Texas due to potential travel issues.

-The Brahmas and their fans have enjoyed four Saturday home playoff games, one Friday home playoff date and one Sunday. In review of the past 10 years of the President's Cup Playoffs, no team has had such a favorable weekend schedule through the first four weeks of the playoffs.

-The Eagles and their fans had played just one weekend home date (Fri/Sat) through the first four weeks of the playoffs.

-The finals series (no matter who the Colorado opponent was) had to end by May 10th because the ice is being removed from the Budweiser Event Center (BEC). Add into the equation that the BEC is not available on Saturday, May 9th, the only two days available for games 6 and 7 were Friday, May 8th and Sunday, May 10th.

-This left the Brahmas with the dates of Sunday, May 3rd through Wednesday, May 6th to play three games.

We do not play favorites in any aspect of our business practices as many of you have indicated. That simply would not be good business as our concerns are with the fans and teams in each of our markets. When dates cannot be worked out between the preferences of the two teams, the league has to go by what is written in the by-laws in conjunction with the building availability. If the exact same situation as detailed above had occurred in reverse, the Brahmas would have been given the other dates and it would be the Eagles fans we would be sending this response to.

We do appreciate the Brahmas 10+ years in the league and the loyal fans that have supported them and the league throughout that time but seniority does not play a role in what team is seeded where and what a building has available. Being the best team through a 64-game schedule has to mean something and has to afford some privilege.

After this process, we are confident that everything was done to provide the best possible dates for the series, and understand that it will not be popular with everyone when we don't have complete building availability in each market.

Good luck to both the Brahmas and Eagles as them embark on what should be a very memorable President's Cup Finals series!

Bob Hoffman
Director of Communications
Central Hockey League

2009 President's Cup finals predictions

...from Rajan's blog

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times' Greg Rajan, uber-blogger extraordinaire (and the man who taught me that it is polite to give an attribute to a "borrowed quote") has posted a thread on this blog, In the Crease with predictions on the outcome of the upcoming President's Cup Championship.

Looks like the majority of his celebrity respondents think the Colorado Eagles will win it all but here's who thinks the Brahmas will win it and why:

They have three solid lines that can match up with Colorado's three lines, they have solid D from one through six, and a goaltender who can steal games for them. They have to find a way to get to Penner early in games and get him off his game. It is going to be a great series no matter what, though.

- Jason Baird, ex-Corpus Christi forward: Texas in 6

This series should be one of the better series of this year's playoffs, as both squads are very capable of winning it all. Last season these two teams gave us a very exciting conference finals, with the Eagles eventually winning in seven games. Ultimately, I think it's the Brahmas' year.

The Brahmas have three players who spent time in the AHL this season, with Scott Sheppard, Jason Deitsch, and Justin Kinnunen. Deitsch could have easily scored 30 goals in the CHL this season had he played more games here.

The Bucks saw Brett Jaeger seven out of eight games in the season series with the Brahmas this season. He was outstanding. I believe that he will carry Texas past Colorado, along with the defensive core that the Brahmas have.

For the second straight season the Eagles will see an opposing team raise the Cup in their building.

- Bryan Benway, Laredo Bucks broadcaster: Texas in 6

Both teams are solid from top to bottom with very good goaltending, but I think if Texas can steal one of the first two games in Colorado they will be in the driver's seat for this series. I didn't see Colorado play this year, but if they don't win both at home to begin with they will have a difficult task ahead of them going into the NYTEX.

- Jay Hardwick, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees defenseman: Texas in 6

Colorado obviously has the best goaltender in the CHL, but Texas seems to be pretty well-rounded and does not take a lot of penalties. I think they will sit back and let Colorado take the roughings and slashings and try to cash in on the power play. On the flip side, I do not think this Colorado team has the killer instinct or is nearly as physical as previous teams.

- Joel T. Lomurno, Wichita Thunder general manager: Texas in 6

I haven't seen Colorado play this year and I just think Texas will win every game in their barn -- The Shoebox -- and I think they're more than capable of stealing one, if not two, in that rink in Colorado. It's hard to believe there's a team deeper than Texas. If there is, then I'll be wrong and Colorado will win. Texas is the deepest team I've played in a long time in terms of having three good lines, six solid D and two good goalies. And there's the advantage behind the bench with ex-Corpus Christi goalie/enforcer Ronnie Vogel.

- Adam Powell, Corpus Christi IceRays forward: Texas in 7

All season, Texas passed the "eye test" with me. Whenever the Brahmas came to Oklahoma City, I came away more impressed with them than when they entered. Goaltender Brett Jaeger has been outstanding in the playoffs. I would venture to say he hasn't had a letdown yet. He gave up five goals in a 7-5 win, but that was after it was 6-2. When it's mattered most, he's been on.

And there's something to be said about Tyler Skworchinski. Sometimes, a player just has a magical run. From Jason Deitsch to Scott Sheppard (my MVP) to Justin Kinnunen, too many weapons for Colorado to contain.

The Eagles have had a great season, and I expect at least a couple of these games to see overtime and maybe even a second or third extra session sprinkled in there.

- Robert "The Boneman" Przybylo, The Oklahoman: Texas in 6

I was surprised to see them go seven with Odessa, but that's playoff hockey. Both teams are so good at home and should make for an interesting battle on both surfaces. I just think Texas is too good at home and they seem to be so much more determined to prove something this year. Both teams are deep and have strong goaltending, but I think Texas has that X-factor going for them with someone on that team always stepping up offensively and I think the finals will come down to special teams. I have to root for my ex-teammate Vogs too!

- Justin Quenneville, Corpus Christi IceRays captain: Texas in 6

They're big, have good speed and clog the neutral zone well. I know I have not played them this year, but I am familiar with Colorado. I think their skilled players will have a tougher time against Texas. If Texas lets it get to Game 7, then I think Colorado takes it.

- Chris Richards, Corpus Christi IceRays forward: Texas in 6

I think a lot of the players in Texas have never experienced a championship and that will motivate them to play the best that they can to win. I really feel they are evenly matched in talent and size, My feeling is whoever wins in the opponent's rink will have a good chance of winning the championship. It is very hard to play in both teams' buildings and especially difficult to play and win in a small building like the one in Fort Worth.

- Terry Ruskowski, Laredo Bucks head coach: Texas in 7

Wildfong will not allow himself to be beaten by Colorado two years in a row.

- Steve Schuster, Wichita Thunder broadcaster: Texas in 7

I think Texas will win because I think they are stronger throughout their lineup. It's tough to say since I haven't seen Colorado, but I know Texas will be ready for whatever they throw at them!

Kris Tebbs, Corpus Christi IceRays goalie: Texas in 6

2009 Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship

Texas Brahmas vs. Colorado Eagles – Series Preview

Originally posted on Intotheboards.net and Prohockeynews.com

The Texas Brahmas went on a scoring rampage in their 8-1 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes to win Game Seven in the Southern Conference Finals on Saturday night. The win matches the largest margin of victory in a Game Seven in Central Hockey League history. Tyler Skworchinski scored three consecutive goals and finished the game with a CHL record-tying six points (3 G, 3 A, +3).

Now the Brahmas will take on the Colorado Eagles for the Central Hockey League’s Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship, which begins on Wednesday, April 29th. As the Fort Worth Brahmas, the team made their only trip to a finals series in 1998, their inaugural season in the Western Professional Hockey League. They were swept in four games by the El Paso Buzzards. This is their first trip to the CHL Finals.

The Brahmas won the Southern Conference and Southeast Division Championships during the regular season posting a 42-16-6 record with 90 points, third in the CHL. They earned their way to the finals by sweeping the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in the conference semifinals and then by beating Odessa in a seven game conference finals series.

The championship series is a rematch of last years’ Northern Conference Finals in which the Brahmas, after losing the first two games at the Budweiser Events Center, came back to force a Game Seven showdown in which the Eagles emerged victorious. Colorado was then swept by the Arizona Sundogs in the finals.

The Brahmas and Eagles faced each other only one time this season with Texas winning the game 4-1 at the NYTEX Sports Centre.

Texas will host Games Three, Four and Five in the best of seven series at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills in the 2-3-2 format. The Brahmas led the league in the regular season with a 26-5-1 home record. The home team is now 16-6 all-time in Game Sevens in CHL/WPHL history. That advantage, along with the Fourth Line, some of the loudest, rowdiest fans in the league, will surely be an asset to the Brahmas.

Forwards

The Brahmas have the top three active scorers in the post-season. Jason Deitsch (F) leads all skaters with 16 points (5 G, 11 A, +7). He has the most assists (11) and power play assists (6) of any active player. Tyler Skworchinski is next with 13 points (9 G, 4 A, +7). He has the most goals of any active player and his five game-winners in the post-season are tied for the CHL record with Laredo’s Jeff Bes and the Fort Worth Fire’s Stephane Larocque. Scott Sheppard has 12 points (7 G, 5 A, +2). He has the most power play goals at four and has scored a hat trick in Game Five of the Conference Finals two years in a row.

Defense

Led by veteran team captain Craig Minard, the Texas defensive corps has been a solid unit all season long. All-star Justin Kinnunen leads all active defensemen in the post-season with nine points (4G, 5A, +5), including a power play goal, four power play assists, a short-handed goal and a game-winner. Kevin McLeod, who had 50 points (20G, 30 A, +19) in the regular season, has tallied eight points (2 G, 6 A, +4) in post-season play.

“We just have a fantastic D corps, said head coach Dan Wildfong. “They're all buying in...I could go down the list and name every guy and their attributes and how well they're doing…they’re very smart with the puck. It's hard to push them off the puck, hard to get around them. We have a lot of leaders that really want it.”

Special Teams

The Brahmas have struggled with consistency on the power play but went three for seven in Game Seven against Odessa. They have the number one penalty kill at 88.31%.

Goaltending

Brett Jaeger leads all goaltenders in the post-season with a 1.85 GAA and a .941 save percentage. He is tied with Colorado’s Andrew Penner with eight post-season wins and has the most playing time (648:19). He finished third in the league in the regular season with a 2.36 GAA and second with a .924 save percentage.

"He is the best goalie in the league in my eyes,” said Wildfong. “He's so calm and such a professional. He continually wants to win, he continually works at his game and he continually is so focused. If you want to be in the position we're at, you have to have good goaltending. If you want to have a chance to win a cup and you want to win the cup, you have to have good goaltending."

Outlook

Many expected these two teams to play each other in the Finals since the early part of the season. Both teams finished with the best records and earned the first seed in the playoffs in their respected conferences. They are well-matched but the Brahmas remain the underdog, fighting for respect in the league. That doesn’t faze Dan Wildfong.

"If we play the best that we can, we are the best team in the league, Wildfong said. “You've got to have that heart and you've got to have that swagger. But, if we try and do too much, we're like the worst team in the league. It just has to be simple hockey for us with our game. That's Brahmas hockey."

Wildfong, who has won the President’s Cup as a player with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, wants to make sure that his team isn’t satisfied with just making it to the Finals.

"The only thing that we'll be happy with is winning a cup,” he said. “This team is too good to let each other down and for me to let them down. Like not pushing them to get there, because we have what it takes. We've got the goaltending, we've got the D, we've got the forwards and you know, we've got our fourth line. It's exciting. It's a lot of fun."

Prediction: The Brahmas win it all in six games.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith