NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The Lone Star Brahmas (8-2-1) return to NYTEX to take on the Topeka RoadRunners (6-8-0) for the first time this season, in a two-game series in North Richland Hills.
After a three-game road sweep of the Amarillo Bulls, the Brahmas return to their home arena as the sole leader of the South Division. The RoadRunners come into the Metroplex fifth in the division after splitting a series with the Springfield Jr. Blues.
While it is a bit of a homecoming for Lone Star, it is the opposite for Topeka. Other than the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota, the RoadRunners have not played an away game all season. That all changes this weekend.
The Brahmas will have something to prove after losing their home opener 4-3 to the Bulls two weeks ago. Through 11 games this season, Troy York leads the way with eight goals and 12 points.
Defensively, the Brahmas have been solid, allowing the fewest goals among South Division opponents and the fourth fewest in the league. A large reason for that has been the sensational play of Alec Calvaruso and Erik Gordon in net. Both netminders are undefeated and are in the top ten for goals against average. Calvaruso, a Michigan native and NAHL rookie, sports an impressive .929 save percentage through five games this year.
Lone Star is scoring almost four goals per game, and outscoring their opponents 41-26 overall. That is good news for Brahmas fans, since Topeka has given up three or more goals in 11 of their 14 games.
Despite their below-.500 start, the RoadRunners are not ones to be taken lightly. They are heavy hitters, racking up 378 penalty minutes already on the season and have a few returners from last year’s team who are in the spotlight offensively. Forwards Marcus Russell, Andrew Hart, and Max Harper are all second year RoadRunners who are averaging over a point-per-game in the early part of the season.
Friday night will be a special night, as the Brahmas host their annual Pink in the Rink game to benefit Susan G. Komen. The Brahmas will wear special, one-of-a-kind pink jerseys against Topeka on Friday night.
After the game, in the upstairs West Lobby, the team will auction the game-worn jerseys. All proceeds from the auction will go to Susan G. Komen in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Fans who are unable to attend the game can download the My Dash App from the App store on their mobile devices and bid on a team signed Pink in the Rink jersey.
Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (817) 336-4423.