Brahmas Blank Americans 3-0
Texas Brahmas forward Jordan Cameron takes the puck into the Allen Americans zone, defended by Americans defensman, Chris Kaufman, on Friday night. The Brahmas won the game, 3-0, to earn a split in the Vintage Game Series. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)
Game two of the “Vintage Game Series” between the Allen Americans (as the Dallas Blackhawks) and the Texas Brahmas (as the Fort Worth Wings) shifted the location to North Richland Hills, and a much more intimate environment. Although the attendance was over 2300, roughly the same as the first game of the series in Allen, NYTEX Sports Centre seemed packed to the gills (as it was the smaller of the two venues) and the crowd was vocal and raucous.
The Brahmas and Americans struggled to score for half the game, before the Brahmas broke it open, and then ran away with the game, salting away a 3-0 shutout win. The win earned the Brahmas a split in the series; the Americans won the first game in a shootout, 4-3, on December 26th.
The first period was mostly quiet as the teams traded opportunities. With about five minutes remaining in the first period, Colton Yellow Horn was flagged for two minors – interference and unsportsmanlike conduct – and the Americans were forced to kill off back to back powerplays. Their defense was equal to the task, though, and they were able to keep the Brahmas off the board. The first period ended without any scoring.
As the second period began, there was a sense that a huge momentum boost would be had by scoring first. The Brahmas scored about mid-way through the 2nd Period. After a pile-up in front of the net, Brahmas forward Tyler Skworchinski was able to poke the puck by Americans’ netminder Chris Whitley. The second period ended with the Brahmas ahead 1-0.
The Americans appeared to have tied the game at 1-1 shortly into the third period, but the referee was quick to waive off the goal. The Brahmas took a 2-goal lead a couple of minutes later on a goal that upset the Allen bench. Again, there was a gathering of bodies in front of the Americans net. This time, Brahmas forward Mark Kolanos jammed the puck into the net, but Americans’ head coach Dwight Mullins and his staff felt there should have been a whistle, because Whitley had the puck covered. But, the refs felt different and Kolanos’ goal stood.
Texas added an insurance goal with about seven minutes to go in the third. Again, there were a large number of players in front of the net, and Skworchinski pushed in the puck for his second goal of the night.
Allen had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard after penalties gave them several odd-man opportunities, including a 5-on-3 for about a minute and a half. The Brahmas’ defense came up big several times, though, and they continually cleared the puck down the ice. Brahmas goalie Joe Palmer made 27 saves on the evening, and earned the shutout win for his team.
Photos by: John O’Neill