WICHITA FALLS, TX – Streaks came to an end on Thursday night in north Texas.
The Brahmas ended their four-game losing skid while the Wichita Falls Wildcats dropped it first game in its last ten games played. Lone Star dominated Wichita Falls in nearly every facet, winning 8-2 on the road. The eight Brahma goals were the most scored in a single game since becoming members of the North American Hockey League.
A quick start undoubtedly helped propel to the Brahmas to the road victory given it was only the second time in seven games this season they scored first against Wichita Falls. Forwards Alex Berardinelli, Martin Mellberg, and Troy York each scored in a two and half minute stretch to knock the NAHL’s top statistical goaltender Justin Kapelmaster out of the game.
After only 4:51 of regulation time, Kapelmaster was pulled for allowing three goals on seven shots. The first two goals bounced in the net after hitting his pads, but to be fair, the Brahmas created scoring opportunities for themselves by outworking the Wildcats defense. Kapelmaster suffered his second regulation loss of the season, falling to 16-2-1 on the year.
In the second period, Corbin Kaczperski sprung a pass to Berardinelli on the right wing and he threw a textbook pass to the new centerman, Tyler Drevitch. The pass resulted in a tap in, power play goal during Drevitch’s first Brahmas game. Drevitch, a Merrimack College commit, was picked up from the Youngtown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League on Wednesday night and he played shifts on both the power play and penalty kill. During even strength time, he played between Peter Bates and Kyle Patava, a former teammate of his in Des Moines last season.
Lone Star did not stop after the first 40 minutes. Cody Wickline scored two goals in the third period, Mellberg scored his second of the contest, and Hogan Davidson torched his former team. The four Brahmas third period goals came on seven shots. Defenseman Cam Clarke added a game high three points, all assists, en route to his seventh multi-point performance of the year.
Corbin Kaczperski made some fantastic saves and secures his eighth win of the year, stopping 26 of 28 shots. Special teams played a factor in Thursday night’s game for both sides. Lone Star was 4-for-7 on the power play and Wichita Falls went 2-for-5 on their man advantage.
The boys in purple held a three goal lead three separate times in the game, before eventually winning by six.
Interesting to note that the loss was the Wildcats’ worst loss under the tutelage of John LaFontaine. On January 31, 2014, the ‘Cats suffered a 9-2 loss to the Odessa Jackalopes and former Brahma Chad Guderian scored a hat trick in the game.
The Brahmas and Wildcats will face-off again on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. inside the Kay Yeager Coliseum. Fans are encouraged to watch the game live on FastHockey and we look forward to hopefully seeing some fans on the road this weekend.
This press release is brought to you by Aspen Wealth Management in Fort Worth.