Lone Star Brahmas – TJ Black Pick Up Back To Back Shutouts

The Lone Star Brahmas welcomed the Odessa Jackalopes into the NYTEX Sports Centre on Friday to open the home portion of their 2015 NAHL schedule. The Brahmas were looking to avenge a split in Odessa last weekend in the first two games of a three game road trip.

The night did not get off to a good start for Lone Star when Johan Steen went to the box at 5:52 for holding deep behind TJ Black’s net. The Brahmas battled through the Jackalope’s man advantage and just as the penalty to Steen expired, Alexey Solovyev gathered in the puck to start a break. Solovyev’s pass hit Steen in stride coming out of the box and he carried it to the left wing dot before ripping a shot on goal. Tanner Creel fought off the shot, but Roman Uchyn was cruising through the zone to pick off the rebound and deposit into the open net at 8:01. The Brahmas went on a power play of their own moments later and took only 42 seconds to cash in. Anton Santesson skated the puck into the zone and pulled it to the far side before giving it to Ludvig Larsson trailing the play. Larsson fired it past Creel blocker side at 12:45.

Sean Giles built the lead to three at 10:45 of the second from the left wing circle after taking a cross ice pass from Caleb Thompson. Nick Ford picked up the secondary assist on the goal. With 4:22 to go in the period, Larsson laid Matt Beranek out with a clean hit in front of the penalty box. As Larsson skated away Beranek came up with a two handed chop which missed, but Liam Stirtzinger took notice and dropped the gloves. Stirtzinger slipped down early, but jumped back to his feet before bending Beranek over and throwing multiple upper cuts. Beranek figuring he was in a no win situation decided it was better to go to the ice rather than take more abuse.

Larsson netted his second of the contest with 3:44 to go in the third putting back a Pat Egan rebound from just off the near post. Santesson was credited with the second assist on the play. Strong play by Ford in front led to another Brahmas goal by Eric Carreras at 19:03. Ford battled for the loose puck took it behind the net then fed it to Carreras just outside the crease for a onetimer stick side. Uchyn also picked up an assist on the play.

The Brahmas outshot the Jackalopes 24 – 16 on the night and TJ Black turned aside every piece of rubber sent his way for his second shutout in as many starts. Both teams had three power play opportunities with the Brahmas connecting on two while holding Odessa scoreless.

Boxscore

Elsewhere Around The NAHL South Division

Wenatchee – Topeka

The Brahmas got some help in their pursuit of the division leading Roadrunners with the Wild taking a 4 – 2 win. Wenatchee had a pair of goals in the first and third frames from Colin Burston, Jake Ahlgren, Troy Conzo and then Ahlgren agaian. Zach Quinn faced 23 shots in the win.

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Wichita Falls – Amarillo

The Wildcats found themselves going into the first intermission down a one despite a first period power play goal from Matt Koch. Whatever coach John LaFontaine did the trick as Wichita Falls came out in the second and put four on the board from Colin Staub, Jonathan Lazarus, Nick Farmer and Tommy Apap. Jake Townsend added one early in the third before Farmer picked up an empty netter with time winding down. Austin Shaw faced 35 shots in 45:35 for the win while David Zevnik saw 13 shots in his 14:25 played.

Corpus Christi – Rio Grande

The Killer Bees held a 2 – 1 advantage after the first 20 minutes on goals by Trevor Abbot and Dallas Gerads, but the Icerays tied it up in the second. After a scoreless third and overtime periods the teams went to a shootout. Daniel Nilsson finally wrapped up the win as Rio Grande’s ninth shooter. Nick Schmit made 15 saves for the win.

Current NAHL South Division Standings