NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – Joseph Berg played hero in his first career North American Hockey League game on Friday, pushing the Brahmas to a 4-2 victory over the Corpus Christi IceRays.
It didn’t take long for the scoring to begin as Tomas Brejcha snuck a backhander past Dryden McKay under two minutes in. The goal was the Czech native’s sixth of the season but unfortunately the lead wouldn’t last long. Colton Meekhof knotted things up with Cody Wickline in the Uncle Bob’s penalty box, exactly six minutes later.
As the game progressed into the second period, Tobias Kircher scored the lone tally when he banked a wraparound off of a Brahma defender and past Corbin Kaczperski. It was the seventh of the season for the German forward.
The third period would prove to be the best one for the Brahmas though, as Alex Berardinelli knotted the score back up with a power play tally in the opening minutes. Play remained tight through the duration of the third until Joseph Berg, who made his North American Hockey League debut, scored the game-winning goal with 3:04 remaining. Called up just hours before puck drop from the Dallas Stars Elite program due to the slew of injuries and suspensions, #12 received a feed from linemates David Marabella and Carson Kelley, which he then buried from the slot. NYTEX Sports Centre erupted for the newest Brahma and with the crowd still roaring, Alex Berardinelli picked up his second of the night on an empty netter.
Yale commit Corbin Kaczperski backstopped the team to his 22nd win of the season in the victory.
The teams will battle again on Saturday night at NYTEX, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30. It’s the final regular season game between the two teams and you can purchase your tickets by stopping by the box office on Saturday, over the phone at 817-336-4ICE, or atop your screen under tickets. Tomorrow’s game is part of the “super weekend” at the rink, as the NA3HL Texas Jr. Brahmas begin their playoffs at 2:15 against the Atlanta Capitals. Admission is free, so come support the affiliate of the big Brahmas!