Monday September 16, 2013 Both Brahmas Season Openers Go To Overtime The action Friday night got off to an early start as Rio Grande Valley's Anthony Croston scored the first goal of the night just 56 seconds into game. The assist went to Nathan Flynn. The Brahmas couldn't seem to put anything together in from of the very vocal home town crowd and the Killer Bees capitalized on a power play, sending a second goal past Mattias Soderqvist less than 7 minutes after the first. The goal was scored by Ben Greiner with an assist from Tyler Bruneteau. The Killer Bees lived up to their name for the rest of the first period dominating the puck, but unable to get past the Brahmas defenses. Late in the first period, newly elected captain AJ Duggan took a redirected pass off his stick directly to the mouth knocking out a tooth which was recovered completely intact before the ice was resurfaced.
The second period found the Brahmas renewed and driven straight from the jump with captain AJ Duggan still in play. Play evened out for much of the second period with neither team able to score.With just over 5 minutes left in the second period. Alex Dagnal and Alexey Solovyev move the puck quickly down the ice to a waiting AJ Duggan who sends in past the face-down Bees goalie for the score. At the face off immediately following the goal, tensions boiled over between Killers Bees Defenseman Dylan Abood and Brahmas Forward Connor Millard. A second fight broke out on the following face off with Mitchell Mueller taking a big cut to the forehead from his visor. 7:32 into the third period Sami Pokka extended Rio Grande Valley's lead with an assist from Aleksi Luhtalampi bring the score to 3-1.
As the third period hit the halfway point, things were looking for the Brahmas, but this fledgling team refused to go down quietly. With 6:45 left in the 3rd, #21 Matt Lison sped down the ice and scored kickstarting the Brahmas comeback. Less than 3 minutes later, Matt Lison scores again, tying it up 3-3 with assists by Alex Dagnal and AJ Duggan and sending the game into overtime. 1:15 into overtime, Brahmas Captain AJ Duggan scored his second goal with assists by Alexey Solovyev and Jan Hudecek winning the game for the Brahmas. Final score: Brahmas 4, Killer Bees 3
Saturday night, in stark contrast to the previous night, saw the Brahmas on their feet and carrying the momentum from their first win hoping to make it a double. Not to be outdone, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees brought their A-game as well and the two teams kept it fierce and aggressive the entire game much to the delight of the nearly 2,000 in attendance. The aggression of the Brahmas showed as they racked up penalties giving the Killer Bees 3 power plays during the 1st period, but couldn't convert them to goals against Brahmas defenses spearheaded by goalie Jacob Nehama. Liam Stirtzinger, #91 for the Brahmas, was the first to put numbers on the board late in the second period. Ayerton Valente and Johan Steen provided the assists with only 5:32 remaining on the clock.
The third period began with the Killer Bees feeling the pressure. After the several scoring attempts, the Bees just couldn't get anything past the Brahmas rookie goalie from Allen, TX or their defensemen. With just over a minute remaining in the game, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, the Killer Bees turned up the heat, forgoing their goaltender to give them 6 attackers on the ice. It looked like the Brahmas would fend off the swarm, but with just 8 seconds left, Bees forward Will Clark tied the game sending it into overtime. With just over a minute remaining in overtime, Killer Bees Dylan Abood received a pass from Ben Greiner then fired it past a stunned Jacob Nehama for the win. Final Score: Rio Grande Valley 2, Lone Star 1.
With a 1-1 split for their opening weekend, the Brahmas head to Blaine Minnesota this week for the North American Hockey League Showcase. Each of the league's 24 teams will be in attendance and competing in front scouts, from Division I & III colleges as well as the NHL. The NAHL Showcase is the biggest event of the season for these young players.
After the Showcase, the Brahmas head on the road for 7 games before bringing it back to Brahmaland on October 25th. You don't have to wait for October to see more Brahmas action. All NAHL games are broadcast LIVE on www.fasthockey.com.