Lone Star Brahmas Ride Special Teams Play To Win

The Lone Star Brahmas rode some strong special teams play to a win on Thursday afternoon to even their NAHL Showcase record at 1 – 1 – 0 with two games left to play.

As in the Wednesday night games the Brahmas broke out on top in the first period. Sebastian Vidmar started the play with a cross ice pass from the near half wall to Caleb Thompson at the far point. Thompson teed it up for Pat Egan in the high slot and he buried his wrister at the 3:55 mark. Lone Star built on the lead just before the midpoint of the period while on the man advantage. Once again Thompson made a pass from the far point only this time it was to Cody Wickline at the bottom of the right wing circle for a beautiful touch pass to Liam Stirtzinger camped in front and he redirected it past Sean Healy for the two goal lead.

The Brahmas started the second period on a five minute penalty kill due to a skirmish at the end of the first period. The special teams came up big allowing the Brown Bears only two shots on goal during the power play. Kenai River finally got on the board at 6:05 of the second with Nick Klishko’s shot from the near circle going off a defenseman and behind Jake Kupsky. Jack Nickels and Nate Colwell picked up the assists.

The Brahmas carried a one goal lead into the third period looking for an insurance goal. It came at 9:51 the result of strong physical play by Roman Uchyn along the end boards to knock the puck free. Egan grabbed the loose puck and alertly hit Vidmar in front and he snapped one stick side to reestablish the two goal lead. The goal would prove to be crucial. The Brown Bears went on a nearly two full minute 5 on 3 power play less than a 60 seconds later, but the Brahmas were once again able to keep the puck out of the net.

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Kenai River pulled to within one goal with 1:12 to go in the game on a power play goal with the net empty at the other end and an extra attacker. Sam Carlson sent a shot of goal from the point that went through heavy traffic in front and into the back of the net. Tyler Andrews was credited with the assist on the play.

Kenai River outshot the Brahmas 31 – 24 in the game and both teams were 1 – 6 on the power play. The Brahmas penalty kill came up huge in the game considering they allowed only a single goal despite five minute major and a 1:52 two man advantage.

Lone Star will face off against the Coulee Region Chill at 8:00 on Friday. The Chill are coming off a 6 – 3 win victory over the Rio Grand Killer Bees.

Boxscore

Elsewhere around the NAHL South Division

Topeka Roadrunners – Johnstown Tomahawks

The Roadrunners picked up their second win of the tournament, but this one came much easier than their 12 round shootout win on day one. This one got a little chippy in the second and third periods and Topeka took advantage with the man advantage with power play goals from Daniel Rzavsky and Jasen Fernsler. Ryan Polin and Yu Hikosaka also scored in the contest. Mateh Tomek stopped all 27 shots for the 4 – 0 shutout win.

Amarillo Bulls – Fairbanks Icedogs

Fairbanks got three first period goals and never looked back on their way to a 5 – 2 win over Amarillo. Patrick Munson made 22 saves for the win.

Rio Grande Killer Bees – Coulee Region Chill

The Killer Bees held a one goal lead at the end of one period but could not hold the lead on the way to their second loss of the tournament. The Chill out scored the Bees 3 – 1 in both the second and third periods to double up Rio Grande on the score board. Jimmy Thomas faced 28 shots in the win while six different skaters found the back of the net.

Wichita Falls Wildcats – Minnesota Magicians

Brady Hepner opened and closed the scoring for the Magicians who scored two in the third for a 5 – 4 come from behind win. Paige Skoog picked up the win for Minnesota between the pipes. Kevin Charyszyn had 2G – 1A for the Wildcats in a losing cause.

Corpus Christi Icerays – Minnesota Wilderness

Dan Litchke scored at 7:32 in the first for the only marker in the game as the Wilderness grabbed a 1 – 0 win over the Icerays. Ryan Anderson pitched a shutout stopping all 20 shots he faced.

Wenatchee Wild – Odessa Jackalopes

After falling behind by a single goal, the Wild scored two power play goals in the later half of the first then scored three of the next four goals for a 5 – 2 win over the Jackalopes. Jake Ahlgren and Jacob Lijeroos had 2 goals apiece and Forbes Ploszaj made 21 saves for the victorious Wild.