Brian McMillin tips the puck towards the five-hole of Mark Guggenberger

Brahmas drop Game One to Amercks, 5-0

Beauchemin stops all 22 shots faced in playoff opener

The Allen Americans outwitted, outplayed and outlasted the Texas Brahmas at the Allen Event Center on Friday evening, taking a 5-0 victory and a 1-0 series lead in the opening round of the Berry Conference playoffs. The question now is, can the purple and black survive Sunday's game at "the library" or will they go down 2-0 on the road to the fabled Palookaville?

Former Dallas Cowboys Tony Hill and Drew Pearson were in-house and in Americans sweaters for the ceremonial puck drop between opposing defensemen Andrew Lackner and Nick Layton.

And then it started.

Jim McKenzie got the Americans on the board at the 8:50 mark thanks to a beautiful set up by Jarret Lukin and Bruce Graham. Lukin and McKenzie came in on a two-on-one and Lukin managed a bullet of a cross-ice pass which McKenzie put past Brahmas netminder Mark Guggenberger to make it a 1-0 contest.

Sy Nutkevitch had a from out-of-knowhere breakaway chance outside the blue line shortly thereafter, but unfortunately his shot hit the pipe.

Despite the score, Guggenberger was on his game in the opening frame, stopping numerous shots that had the potential to run up the score early.

Chad Woollard took an unexpected shot by Bruce Graham late in the period but seemed OK after he got his wind back.

The Americans outshot the Brahmas 10-6 in the opening frame and as well, had the best scoring chances, capitalizing just once.

The Americans took a 2-0 lead when Guggenberger, who had left the crease, was caught off guard by Brian McMillin, who managed to deflect a Mike Berube shot from the right side to make the score 2-0 Allen.

14 minutes later, the Americans added to their lead when Bruce Graham picked up the first of two on the night. Jarret Lukin, flying in on the left wing, dropped one back to Graham, who buried a one-timer with four seconds left  on the power-play to make the score 3-0 Americans.

Texas outshot Allen 10-7 in the middle frame but was unable to solve Rejean Beauchemin, who was outstanding in net.

Bruce Graham and Keith Johnson scored for the Americans in the third, as Allen built a 5-0 lead. Ryan Hand dropped the gloves with Brett Clouthier and Tyler Barr went toe-to-toe with Dylan King during the period.

'Nuff said.

Shots were even at six apiece in the third period and the Americans had the narrow 23-22 shot advantage in the game.

Allen was 1-1 on the power-play on the night, while Texas went 0-5.

Mark Guggenberger made 18 saves on 23 shots faced and takes the loss.

The Brahmas were assessed 16 minutes on 5 infractions and went for 0 for 5 on the power play.

Referee: Boone Bruggman

Linesman 1: John Grandt
Linesman 2: Bill McGoldrick

1st Star: Bruce Graham (ALN)

2nd Star: Rejean Beauchemin (ALN)
3rd Star: Jim McKenzie (ALN)

You can view Pointstreak's Box Score here and their GameLive broadcast here. You can view Chip Crail's photos from the game here

The Brahmas will meet up with the Americans for Game Two on Sunday with a 5:05 pm CST face-off at the Allen Event Center. 

Photo Credit: Chip Crail/Pro Hockey News

Brahmas begin fifth consecutive playoff run

Game One of the Berry Conference opening round begins tonight

They may have lost six of their last seven regular season games, but don't count the Texas Brahmas as an underdog in the best-of-seven opening round of the Berry Conference playoffs which begin tonight at the Allen Event Center.

While it may be a cliche in any sport, in the Brahmas' case, the post-season most certainly is a whole different game. Now entering their fifth consecutive playoff run, the Brahmas have gone 26-16, including a 12-4 run in 2009 that culminated in their first Ray Miron President's Cup  Championship.

The Texas Brahmas finished the regular season with a 33-25-8 record (.561), good for third in the Berry Conference. They began the season winning just one of their first five games, but quickly turned their play around, finishing every month except for March with a positive record.

The highlight for the franchise was in mid-February when goaltender
Guggenberger broke a CHL record for most consecutive scoreless minutes at 238:31 and the team went on to win seven straight games and 12 out of 14. However, Texas finished the season losing six straight games, before coming from behind to win their season finale. 

Goaltending

Mark Guggenberger

Rookie backstopper Mark Guggenberger was one of the most impressive CHL goalies all season. The Richfield, Minnesota native finished the season 22-11-3 and had a league-best 2.27 GAA. On top of that, he registered a .912 Save Percentage and had three consecutive shutouts, which broke a league record. The winning goalie at the CHL All-Star Game also earned league recognition as the Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year Award and a member of the All-CHL Team.

Recently added to the playoff roster is another rookie 'tender, Brad Fogal. Fogal, 25, played 10 games with the Quad City Mallards (6-2-0) and 11 games with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) where he went 4-4-3 before he was acquired by the Kalamazoo Wings. He was waived after one game, a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Express. Fogal was called up to the Wilkes  Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) and signed a PTO in October, but did not  play.

Players to Watch

Ross Rouleau

Defenseman Ross Rouleau was a particular thorn in the side of the Americans this season with nine points (4 G, 5 A) and will continue to prove to be dangerous on both sides of the blue line. 

T.J. Fox has also tallied nine points (3 G, 6 A) against Allen and was second in scoring for the Brahmas this season with 55 points (18 G, 37 A).

Captain Adam Hogg played in the CHL Finals last season with Colorado and in the series against Allen this year, he led the Brahmas with two game-winning goals. Hogg also leads the team with nine game-winners; seven coming in the second half of the season.

Sy Nutkevitch is a relative newcomer to the Brahmas but has already made an impact with five points (2 G, 3 A) in seven games played. 

Watching Dan Nicholls on the ice is like watching a human wrecking ball clearing a path for the offense. Half Ben Grimm (for you Fantastic Four fans) and half Sgt. Rock, Nicholls is the definition of toughness on the Brahmas roster - and once the playoffs are over, he'll be flying to Australia to start a whole new season with the Adelaide Adrenaline.

A Not So Secret Weapon

There's little argument that the Brahmas home ice at the NYTEX Sports Centre is the hardest place for an opposing team to play. Texas had the second most home wins this season with 22, going 22-7-4 at "the shoebox" as it's affectionately called.

Part of a 500,000 square foot multi-use complex, the ice seems smaller (it's regulation) and the fans seem to be right on top of you. Those fans by the way, have been named the "Most Annoying" for the past two seasons in the CHL's annual Best of the Best Awards. 
Games Four and Five will be played at NYTEX as well as Game Six (if necessary).

The Physical Game

Adam Hogg

The Brahmas and the Americans took no time emulating the fierce rivalries known throughout the history of Dallas/Fort Worth ice hockey. In fact, the last time the teams played, there were 143 penalty minutes in the game. The two rivals combined for 508 PIM’s in the season series (more than 46 combined per game).

While both teams have proven they can play a reserved game, the likelihood of a very physical series overall, is high.

Weaknesses

Texas is last in the league with their 12.2 power play percentage and has the lowest number of power play goals in the league at 30 (a dozen fewer than any other squad).

Injuries have taken a toll on a number of players on the Brahmas' post-season roster but the same players have also shown the fortitude to play through their problems in the past and motivation is high on the Texas squad, to say the least.

Tonight

The Brahmas are confident coming into the series but place a high value on taking Game One. In an article in today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram, head coach Dan Wildfong admitted they are worried about the initial meeting but at the same time, they know the series is all about winning four games, not just one.
"We won a couple there already," Wildfong said of Allen's home arena. "We know what we have to do there."

Brahmas forward T.J. Fox shared Wildfong's sentiment and expressed his and his teammates' confidence.
"I think we played them enough we know what they're going to throw at us, and we'll be ready for them," said T.J. Fox.

Game One is set to start tonight with a 7:05 pm CST start time.

Findlay expected to make impact for Brahmas in post-season

Soo Greyhounds winger makes pro debut tonight

He may be one of the youngest skaters on the ice tonight at the Allen Event Center, but 19-year-old Brett Findlay won't be thinking of age or experience in his professional debut for the Texas Brahmas. 

"It's a chance for me to show my stuff," Findlay told The Sault Star. "I'm going to do the best I can and hopefully impress somebody." 

Findlay has been an impact player since joining the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as a free agent in 2010. Known as a power skater with a quick-release shot, excellent vision, with an innate ability to make things happen, the Echo Bay, Ontario native was second in scoring for the Greyhounds this season, notching 56 points (20 G, 36 A) with 44 penalty minutes. 

As an OHL rookie last season, Findlay was one of the most productive players on a talent-rich Greyhounds squad - he tallied 44 points (20 G, 24 A) in 57 games. 

"When he gets the puck, something happens," former Hounds head coach Denny Lambert said. "He's a gifted player. He's not an energy guy, he doesn't run people over. But he can skate and he has vision and he does a lot of things most people can't do." 

Exactly the qualities the Brahmas were looking for to help make a difference in the playoffs this year. When his agent told him of the Brahmas interest last week, Findlay jumped at the opportunity.

"They want me to be the second-line center and play a scoring role," Findlay said of the Brahmas' plans for him. "Hopefully, that's what I can bring." 

Findlay will become the fifth Hounds player to enter the pro ranks since the regular season ended. Goaltender Jack Campbell (Texas Stars), winger David Broll (Toronto Marlies), centre Nick Cousins (Adirondack Phantoms) and defenseman Ryan Sproul (Grand Rapids Griffins) are all with American Hockey League teams.

Findlay will be playing against a former Greyhounds teammate, Americans defenseman Dylan King, who played 13 post-season games with Allen last year. This season, King contributed eight points (4 G, 4 A) and 55 PIM in 48 games played and earned an eight-game call-up to the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters.

Photo Credit: Soo Greyhounds

Brahmas notes

• The Brahmas are hosting a post-season pep rally tonight at Anejo House of Tequila (located at 9159 Boulevard 26, Suite 300 in North Richland Hills) for the fans to usher in the 2012 CHL playoffs with the team’s players, coaches and staff. The party will go from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

• If you weren't there (or even if you were), take a listen (here) to Christina Major's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, recorded at NYTEX on 03/18/12
  

Brahmas announce 2012 playoff roster

Seven defensemen, 10 forwards and two goalies make up post-season corps

The Texas Brahmas are headed to their fifth consecutive post-season, the only active CHL team that can make this claim.

Texas will face their crosstown rivals, the Allen Americans, in the opening round set to begin Friday, March 30. The series will be the first ever post-season meeting between the Brahmas and Americans as well as the first meeting between a Dallas and a Fort Worth team since the 1978 CHL finals (Dallas Black Hawks and Fort Worth Texans).

The Brahmas’ final playoff roster is as follows:

Defensemen:

Jim Burichin
Jacques Perreault
Greg Eskedjian
Ross Rouleau
Erik Spady
Andrew Lackner
Brock Meadows

Forwards:

Tyler Barr
Adam Hogg
T.J. Fox
Sy Nutkevitch
Ryan Hand
Dan Nicholls
Mike Hellyer
Calin Wild
Brendon Hodge
Chad Woollard

Goaltenders:

Mark Guggenberger
Brad Fogal

Left out, but remembered fondly for their service to the team this season are Jordan Kary, Mark Ehl, Thomas Galiani and Phil Fox.

The Brahmas can still add two amateur players during the playoffs.

Fogal during practice last Thursday at NYTEX

Brahmas waive Carroll, sign Brad Fogal

Rookie goaltender played in CHL, ECHL this season

The Brahmas have waived veteran goalie Ken Carroll and have signed rookie goaltender Brad Fogal to the roster. Fogal is expected to back up Mark Guggenberger throughout the playoffs.

Fogal, 25, played 10 games with the Quad City Mallards (6-2-0) and 11 games with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) where he went 4-4-3 before he was acquired by the Kalamazoo Wings. He was waived after one game, a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Express. Fogal was called up to the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) and signed a PTO in October, but did not play.

Before turning pro, Fogal played four seasons at Adrian College (MCHA) where he had an overall record of 93-11-2 with a 2.04 GAA, a .922 Save Percentage and 15 shutouts. He holds the NCAA Division III record for career victories, ranks eighth in career GAA and is tied for 10th in career Save Percentage.

Fogal was selected MCHA All-Conference the past four seasons. The Sharon, Ontario, native earned only one loss in 72 career conference games. He owns MCHA records for career wins (70), career minutes played (4,138) and season wins (19).

Fogal appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” last April.

With Fogal between the pipes, Adrian won four straight Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association championships, four Harris Cup titles and qualified for the Division III tournament the past two seasons.

In 2010, Adrian advanced to its first Division III Frozen Four and finished as national runner-up in the program’s fourth season.

Fogal arrived in North Texas on last Wednesday night and practiced with the team on Thursday. He looked sharp and ready. I originally expected him to travel with the team to Tulsa last week but apparently he had some paperwork that needed to be taken care of and now that that's all been taken care of, he's ready to practice with the team for the opening round of the playoffs.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith