Brahmas host the Americans this weekend

Two-game series between Metroplex rivals

The Texas Brahmas (7-6-2) and the Allen Americans (9-3-3) will rekindle their rivalry with a two game series at the NYTEX Sports Centre beginning tonight at 7:30pm CST. The two teams have met just once this season - on October 28th, during which the Brahmas were dominated and took a 5-1 loss.

The Americans won 8 of 11 games played during the month of November and are currently ranked second in the league in total points(21). Their key catalyst has been their recently acquired goaltender, Marco Cousineau. After being sent down by the Anaheim Ducks organization, Cousineau has battled his heart out, earning the Goaltender of the Month award and walking away with a solid record of 5-0-1.

The Brahmas will look to snap their three-game losing streak tonight with a solid performance. While playing at NYTEX, the Brahmas are 4-2-2, a respectable home record, but can definitely be improved on tonight.

Bruce Graham leads the Americans with 20 points (9 G, 11 A) this season followed closely by Colton Yellow Horn, who has 19 (7 G, 12 A).

On the Brahmas side of things, forwards Jordan Kary (5 G, 7 A), Chad Woollard (4 G, 8 A) and TJ Fox (4 G, 8 A) co-lead the team with 12 points each.

The Americans are 3-1-1 over their past 5 games played while the Brahmas are 1-2-2. Bruce Graham has registered 9 points (4 G, 5 A) over that span. Allen has allowed the fewest goals (39) in the Central Hockey League while Texas has scored the fewest (39). The Americans are 6-1-3 away from the Allen Event Center so far this year.

The second game of the series will take place at 7:30 pm CST on Saturday night.

Thanks to Brandon Cox for many of the stats/tidbits used in this post.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Curran is back!

Fan favorite expected on the ice tonight against Allen

The Texas Brahmas have activated Alex Curran from the Injured Reserve according to Pointstreak. Curran was placed on the 10-day list following the first of a three-game series against the Arizona Sundogs on November 17th.

The hard-working Brahmas instigator has been missed by fans and will be a welcome sight at the NYTEX Sports Centre tonight as the purple and black take on the Allen Americans.

Tonight is also Ladies’ Night at NYTEX – the Brahmas will offer all women attending the game a discount on ticket prices, various prizes and happy hour drink specials throughout the contest.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Former Brahmas forward Jeff Hazelwood sneaks one (three) past Mark Guggenberger

Wait, what just happened?

Sundogs defeat Brahmas in overtime, 4-3

Sudden death overtime. Emphasis on the word sudden. One second you're in it, the next you're scratching you're head, thinking 'wait, what just happened here?' and then a second later, you realize what's happened and that's it. Game over.

The Arizona Sundogs delivered another home loss for the purple and black on Wednesday night with a 4-3 overtime victory, courtesy of former Texas Brahmas forward Jeff Hazelwood. Exactly three minutes into the extra frame, Hazelwood, who had solved Mark Guggenberger twice already, sent in the game winner which also completed his first hat trick as a Sundog.

Guggenberger stopped 25 of 29 shots faced in 63:00 played and took his first professional loss. His record goes to 3-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA (first in the league) and a .926 Save Percentage (fourth in the league).

Special teams play continues to falter - despite two power play goals, the Brahmas power play is second to last at 15.38%, as is the penalty kill at 75.93%.

The Brahmas earned a point for their efforts, but remain in fifth place in the Berry Conference with a 7-5-1 record (.577) and 15 points. Their home record goes to 4-2-1.

Hazelwood struck first blood with a shot from the left circle at the 17:54 mark of the opening frame, putting the Sundogs up 1-0. David Nimmo and B.J. Crum were in on the assists. Arizona had a 12-7 shot advantage in the period and neither team capitalized on their initial power play opportunities. That would change in the second period.

A Holding call on Brahmas defenseman Ryan Hand provided a man-advantage for the Sundogs at the 6:22 mark and it took Tyler Butler all of 37 seconds to strike with a slapshot from the point, assisted by Kyle Hood and Nimmo.

Texas countered with a power play strike of their own, courtesy of a Slashing call on Jean-Philipp Chabot less than 2 1/2 minutes later. Defenseman Andrew Lackner sent in a shot from the blue line, assisted by Kyle Howarth and Adam Hogg at the 10:44 mark to cut the Sundogs' lead in half.

A Too Many Men Bench Minor gave the Brahmas another power play at the 14:30 mark and Chad Woollard beat goalie Levente Szuper with his shot from between the circles, fed by Phil Fox and T.J. Fox at 14:52.

The game remained knotted at 2-2 for the remainder of the period. Ryan Hand and Tyler Matheson dropped gloves following Woollard's score. More of a sweater grab than a fight, Matheson appeared to connect with a couple of rights and took a couple of lefts from Hand, who managed to win the balance war, taking Matheson to the ice as the Sundog groped for an eye gouge. The two were assessed Fighting Majors for their efforts.

The Brahmas had a 13-9 shot advantage in the middle period.

Calin Wild broke the deadlock 2:37 into the third frame, assisted by Jim Burichin and Woollard. Midway through the period, Jeff Hazelwood scored his second of the night, once again on a feed by Nimmo and a secondary assist from Luke Erickson.

Tied at 3-3, the Brahmas had two power play chances later in the period, but failed to convert. Texas had a 12-7 shot advantage in the third and led the shot count in regulation at 32-28, but the game was to be decided in overtime.

The Brahmas sent in the first shot of the extra frame but once again it was Hazelwood who sent in a loose puck from the crease and secured the second win for the Sundogs in as many nights. With their victory, the Sundogs improved to 5-7-3 (.433).

Referee: Brent Coulombe
Linesmen: Bill McGoldrick, John Grandt

Mark Guggenberger stopped 25 of 29 shots faced in 63:00 of play and takes the loss. His record goes to 3-0-1. Arizona's Levente Szuper stopped 30 of 33 shots faced and earned the win. His record goes to 2-4-3.

The Brahmas wen 2 for 7 on the power play; the Sundogs went 1 for 2. Texas was assessed 9 minutes on 3 infractions. Arizona was assessed 19 minutes on 8 infractions.

1st Star: Jeff Hazelwood (ARZ) - 3 Points (3 G, 0 A, +3) - the game-winning goal on 7 shots
2nd Star: Chad Woollard - 2 Points (1 G, 1 A, 0) on 10 shots
3rd Star: Calin Wild - 1 Point (1 G, 0 A, 0) on 3 shots

You can view Pointstreak's box score here and their Game Live broadcast here.

You can view my images from the game here.

The Brahmas will host the Laredo Bucks at NYTEX on Friday night before traveling to going on the road to play the Bucks at the Laredo Energy Arena on Saturday evening.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Brock Meadows returns

Burichin expected back on the ice tonight as well

Texas Brahmas defensemen Brock Meadows and Jim Burichin are both expected back on the ice tonight against the Arizona Sundogs.

Meadows was activated from the 30-day injured reserve today per Pointstreak. Burichin, who suffered a concussion during November 8th's game against the Missouri Mavericks has been cleared to play as well.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Brahmas defeat Sundogs 3-2

Mark Ehl scores game-winner on power play

The Texas Brahmas held off a late rally by the Arizona Sundogs tonight to win the third game of a three-game series at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. With the victory, the Brahmas' record improves to 7-5-0 (3-3-0 on the road) for 14 points which places them in fifth place in the Berry Conference. The loss drops the Sundogs' record to 3-7-3 (2-5-1 at home).

Steve Silverthorn allowed two goals on 29 shots but saved the win with a stellar performance in net late in the final frame. His record goes to 4-5-0 with a 2.59 GAA (8th in the league) and a .905 Save Percentage (11th in the league).

Mark Ehl tallied his first power play goal of the season, providing the game winner in the third period.

Andrew Lackner opened up the game’s scoring at the 9:50 mark of the first period. After receiving a feed from Cal Wild, Lackner's slap shot from the point beat a screened Levente Szuper to make it a 1-0 contest.

It was the only score of the period in which the Brahmas out shot the Sundogs 13-8.

Phil Fox extended the Brahmas’ lead to 2-0 with a power play goal at the 6:50 mark of the middle frame, beating Szuper with a one-timer from the left circle. Jordan Kary and T.J. Fox were in on the assist.

A Hooking call on Mark Ehl gave the Sundogs their third man-advantage and Jeff Hazelwood capitalized, putting Arizona on the board at the 17:52 mark after his backhand shot from the bottom of the right circle snuck through the five hole of Silverthorn. Kyle Hood was credited with an assist on the play.

The Brahmas dominated the second period, hammering Szuper with 17 shots compared to the Sundogs' three. After 40 minutes, the Brahmas led 2-1.

A Roughing call on Ryan Hand early in the third put the Sundogs back on the power play and once again, they converted. David Nimmo beat Silverthorn 59 seconds into the man-advantage to tie the game at 2-2.

Arizona defenseman Jason Goulet was assessed two minutes for Tripping a few minutes later and Mark Ehl scored the game-winner at the 8:54 mark, assisted by Kyle Howarth and Brendon Hodge.

The battle waged on and Erik Spady was called twice for Slashing and then for Tripping, but the penalty killers were successful in preventing another goal.

After Arizona had pulled Szuper in favor of an extra attacker with 1:17 left in regulation, Silverthorn faced a flurry of shots and a sliding save at the left goal post in the game’s final seconds highlighted a third period in which the Sundogs out shot the Brahmas 18-10 but were unable to force the game into overtime.

Referee: Peter Tarnaris
Linesmen: Kyle DeMaggio, Chris Zorza

Steve Silverthorn stopped 27 of 29 shots faced in 52:00 of play and earned the win. His record goes to 4-5-0. Arizona's Levente Szuper stopped 37 of 40 shots faced in 58:43 of play and takes the loss. His record goes to 1-4-3.

Both teams went 2 for 6 on the power play. Both teams were assessed 14 minutes on seven infractions.

1st Star: Mark Ehl - 1 Point (1 G, 0 A, 0) - the game-winning goal on 3 shots
2nd Star: David Nimmo (ARZ) - 1 Point (1 G, 0 A, 0) on 3 shots
3rd Star: Phil Fox - 1 Point (1 G, 0 A, 0) on 6 shots

You can view Pointstreak's box score here and their Game Live broadcast here.

The Brahmas will return home overnight and get some rest before beginning preparations for Wednesday night's game against the Sundogs at the NYTEX Sports Centre. On Friday, the Brahmas will host the Laredo Bucks before traveling to Laredo to play the Bucks at the Laredo Energy Arena.

Photo Credit: Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier

Another rough night for Steve Silverthorn

Too little, too late

Sundogs steal a 3-2 win from the Brahmas

The Texas Brahmas lost their second of three games against the Arizona Sundogs last night by a score of 3-2. It was a case of two little, too late as the purple and black's offense didn't come alive until the third period but the Sundogs and Scott Reid were able to defend an early lead and hold on for their first win after five consecutive losses.

Steve Silverthorn had a rough start, allowing three goals on 11 shots though the first 12:53 of play. Mark Guggenberger stepped in for 7:07 and stopped four of four shots faced before Silverthorn returned to the net and was stellar for the remainder of the game, stopping all 13 shots faced for the remainder of the game.

Ryan Hand lost his first fight as a Brahma after taking on Adam Smyth, who had just returned to play for Arizona after serving a three-game suspension.

The Brahmas special teams play continued to slide downward as they failed to convert on three power play opportunities and their penalty killer allowed two goals. Texas is now ranked last in the league on the power play with a 10.26 percentage and 10th in the league on the penalty kill with a 78.26 percentage. Suffice it to say, this continues to need to be addressed.

On the up side, Jacques Perreault tallied his first goal of the season and Cal Wild added his third. Yeah, that's about it on the up side.

It was an ugly start for the Brahmas, who managed just five shots on goal in the first frame. The Sundogs dominated play and tallied their first goal at the 2:59 mark when Jean-Philipp Chabot buried a loose puck at the front of the net to make it a 1-0 game. David Nimmo was credited with the assist.

Luke Erickson made it 2-0 at the 8:25 mark with a power play goal from the left circle, following a Hooking call on Mark Ehl. Tyler Butler and Kyle Hood were in on the assists on Erickson's 200th career point.

An Unsportsmanlike Conduct call on Ross Rouleau at the 12:27 mark led to the the Sundogs' third goal (the eventual game-winner) when Chabot drove in a rebound from the right side of the crease 26 seconds later.

The Brahmas were out shot 15-5 in the opening period and the Sundogs went to the locker room with a comfortable lead.

There was no scoring in the second period as the Brahmas out shot the Sundogs 10-7. Ryan Hand (6', 1", 205 pounds) and Adam Smyth (6' 1", 240 pounds) dropped the gloves at the 8:25 mark and were issued Fighting Majors for the brief skirmish. The Brahmas had two power play opportunities in the period but failed to capitalize.

Sundogs goon Adam Smyth got off at least three good lefts on Ryan Hand as the two southpaws battled during the second period

The Brahmas finally got on the scoreboard were able to put the puck past Reid at the 1:53 mark of the third period as Jacques Perreault tallied his first of the season with a little help from T.J. Fox.

With just under five minutes remaining, Cal Wild brought the Brahmas to within one as he scored his third goal of the season. Chad Woollard was credited with the assist.

The Brahmas out shot the Sundogs 10-6 but Reid and the Sundogs were able to prevent another score and took the win, improving their record to 3-6-3 (2-4-1 at home). With the loss, the Brahmas record goes to 6-5-0 (2-3-0 on the road).

Referee: Peter Tarnaris
Linesmen: Kyle DeMaggio, Colin Besch

Steve Silverthorn stopped 21 of 24 shots faced in 52:00 of play and takes the loss. His record goes to 3-5-0. Mark Guggenberger stopped 4 of 4 shots faced in relief during 7:07 of play. Arizona's Scott Reid stopped 23 of 25 shots faced and earned his second win of the season, moving to 2-3-0.

The Brahmas went 0 for 3 on the power play; the Sundogs went 2 for 5. Texas was assessed 15 minutes on six infractions. Arizona was assessed 11 minutes on four infractions.

1st Star: Jean-Philipp Chabot (ARZ) - 2 Points (2 G, 0 A, +1) including the game-winner on 6 shots
2nd Star: Luke Erickson (ARZ) - 1 Point (1 G, 0 A, +1) on 3 shots
3rd Star: Kyle Hood (ARZ) - 1 Point (0 G, 2 A, -1) on 6 shots

You can view Pointstreak's box score here and their Game Live broadcast here.

Game three of the three-game series with the Sundogs at Tim's Toyota Center is tonight with the opening face off at 8:05 CST. You can watch all the action on CHL-TV.

Photo Credits: Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier