Brahmas – Icerays Preview For Mar 11

The Lone Star Brahmas will close out their regular season schedule with the Corpus Christi Icerays this Wednesday at the American Bank Center. Lone Star moved to the top of the heap in the NAHL South Division this weekend with a sweep of the Icerays on home ice combined with Topeka being swept by Amarillo. The Brahmas hold a 5 – 1 – 1 record against Corpus Christi and will be looking to make it four wins in a row over the Icerays.

09/27/14 – Brahmas 1 at Icerays 2

10/10/14 – Icerays 2 at Brahmas 3 OT

10/11/14 – Icerays 2 at Brahmas 5

02/06/15 – Brahmas 2 at Icerays 3 SO

02/07/15 – Brahmas 5 at Icerays 3

03/06/15 – Icerays 1 at Brahmas 4

03/07/15 – Icerays 2 at Brahmas 3

This past Friday the Brahmas used their prototypical strong third period to take game one of a two game set against the Icerays. Ludvig Larsson got things going with a power play goal early in the first. The game then went over 42 minutes with no one hitting the twine until AJ Vanderbeck scored on a nifty penalty shot at 5:09 of the third.Alexey Solovyev added his first of two goals on the night just past the midpoint of the period for a three goal lead. Corpus Christi’s Logan Gestro cut into the lead scoring the Icerays only goal of the night, but Solovyev followed with a shorthanded empty netter to seal the deal. TJ Black made 23 saves for the victory while Andrew Lindgren was saddled with the loss facing 24 shots. Saturday night the Brahmas cruised out to a 3 – 0 lead with first period goals by Larsson and Solovyev to go along with a second period tally by Captain Sebastian Vidmar who scored his league leading 29th of the season. Corpus Christi was not going to go away quietly though as Taylor Karel scored just 45 seconds into the third followed by a Frankie Melton goal at 6:50 to pull within one. However, the Brahmas clamped down on defense and preserved the one goal margin of victory despite a 44 second 6 on 4 extra attacker power play for the Icerays to close out the contest. Jake Kupsky got the call in net for the Brahmas and took the win allowing two goals on 18 shots. Luke Pickar opened the game in goal for the Icerays, but was quickly yanked after allowing two goals on two shots faced. Lindgren came on in relief and held the Brahmas to one goal on 22 shots.

Last 5 Games	W	L	OTL	Pts
Brahmas	5	0	0	10
Icerays	1	4	0	2

Special Teams

Lone Star and Corpus Christi are 7th and 8th overall in the NAHL on the power play. The Brahmas come in at 21.12% on 53 goals in 251 opportunities. The Icerays are not far behind at 19.91% with 45 goals in 226 chances. However, it’s on the penalty kill where the Brahmas shine and hold sizable advantage over Corpus Christi. Lone Star is currently 2nd overall in the league at 88.38% having allowed 28 goals on 241 kills. The Icerays on the other hand have allowed 48 goals on 252 opponent’s power plays for 80.95% which is 16th in the league.