North Richland Hills, TX –
Tuesday night brought the first in the Battle of the Cattle series to the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills as the defending NAHL champion Amarillo Bulls rode into town to take on the Lone Star Brahmas for the first time this season. It was a highly anticipated game on many fronts. Tuesday’s game marked the first time that Dan Wildfong (Brahmas) had ever coached against childhood rival Dennis Williams (Bulls). Wildfong and Williams played junior hockey against one another in Ontario, and have since grown into being two highly successful coaches. Wildfong was the architect of the Brahmas only title during the Brahmas tenure in the Central Hockey League, and Williams brought the NAHL’s Robertson Cup to Amarillo last season.
Amarillo dominated the first period taking a commanding 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Brahmas responded quickly in the second frame with an unassisted goal from defenseman Alexey Solyvev. Later in the period the Brahmas tied up the game as forward R.J. Salvato extended his point streak to four games as he scores thanks to assists from teammates Kellen Wassell and Gordie Helmuth. The final frame fell in favor of Amarillo as they scored one early and then a second goal on an empty net in the final minute of the contest.
The Brahmas closed out their series with the Amarillo Bulls on Wednesday looking to rebound from a hard fought loss on Tuesday. Despite an early Amarillo first period power play goal, the game looked as though it was shaping up to be another tightly played affair. The teams went to the locker room for the first intermission with the Bulls holding a one goal lead.
In the second period the Brahmas went on a full two minute 5 on 3 power play for the second night in a row. Unfortunately, just as last night the Bulls not only killed off the power play, but scored at 4:55 just after the penalty expired. Amarillo added another goal at the 7:40 mark which seemed to take the wind out of Lone Star's sails. Amarillo opened up the offense in the third and piled on four goals with two coming via the power play. Matt Seikhaus had a big night for the Bulls picking up 2G and 2A in the 7 – 0 shutout win.
The Brahmas will travel to Wichita Falls on Friday for their first meeting of the season with the Wildcats in the first half of a home and home series. Saturday the teams will return to the NYTEX Sports Centre to wrap up the series.
Be sure to get your tickets now for Saturdays home game against the Wildcats. Saturday (11/9) will also be Mascot Night as fans will learn the name of the new mascot during a special first intermission presentation. Various other mascots from around the Metroplex will be on hand to welcome the new Brahma to the Mascot Fraternity.