Lone Star Brahmas vs. Amarillo Bulls Preview
By Kirk Estes
The Lone Star Brahmas and Amarillo Bull will meet in a battle of the bovine at the NyTex Sports Centre on Friday and Saturday nights. The NAHL South Division matchup will be an opportunity for the Brahmas to measure the degree of their recent improved play as they go against the number one team in the league.
The Brahmas are coming off a weekend where they traveled to Hidalgo, TX for a single game against the Rio Grande Killer Bees. In that game the Bees jumped out to a 2 – 0 lead in the first and held the two goal advantage until 5:51 of the third period. That is when Matt Lison redirected an Anthony Mousseau shot into the back of the net to snap an 0 for 46 power play drought. Alexey Solovyev picked up the secondary assist on the play. Solovyev had a goal of his own at 10:13 with assists to Lison and Jan Hudecek to tie the score. The game went to a shootout where Rio Grande goalie Nick Schmit made a couple of huge saves to snatch the win.
Amarillo split a pair of games in Topeka last weekend taking the first game of the series 4 – 1 while the Road Runners rebounded to win a close on in game two 4 – 3. On Friday the Bulls scored all four goals in the first period. Brett Szajner, Roman Ammirato, Tyler Gernhofer and Brady Ferguson were the goal scorers. Colin Delia made 30 saves for the win. On Saturday Ammirato scored his second of the weekend to go along with goals from Carter Penzien and Timmy Moore, but Amarillo was unable to overcome three second period goals. Paul Berrafato allowed four goals on 33 shots faced.
In two head-to-head games this season the Bulls outscored the Brahmas 11 – 2 for a series sweep. Matt Sieckhaus and Joe Grabowski had 2G – 3A each in the wins. The Bulls were 5 – 11 on the power play while the Brahmas were 0 – 12 with the man advantage.
| Last 5 Games | W | L | OTL | Pts |
| Brahmas | 1 |
3
1
3
Bulls
3
2
0
6
Special Teams
The difference in special teams play between the Brahmas and Bulls is a reflection of their ability to win games this season. Amarillo currently has the number one power play in the league and the number three penalty kill. They have scored 35 power play goals in 121 opportunities for 28.93%. When short handed the Bulls are a stingy group killing 89.23% of their penalties. They have allowed only 14 goals on 130 times short handed.
The Brahmas special teams find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum. Lone Star’s power play is 23rd out of 24 teams in the league while the penalty kill is last in the league. The Brahmas have managed only 9 goals on 98 power play opportunities for 9.18%. The penalty kill is playing at 75.81% having allowed a league worst 30 goals on 124 penalty kills.
The Brahmas’ –21 goal differential on special teams has accounted for nearly half of their total goal differential of –48. On the other hand the Bulls’ +45 season total goal differential is in many ways a result of their special teams play which is playing at a +21 goal differential.
Goaltending Comparison Last 5 Games
GP |
W
L
OTL
SO
GA
GAA
SV
SV%
Brahmas
5
1
3
1
0
13
2.60
119
.902
Bulls
5
3
2
0
0
11
2.20
132
.923
Who is Hot (Last 5 Games)
| Brahmas | G |
A
Pts
Matt Lison
3
2
5
Jan Hudecek
1
1
2
Alexey Solovyev
1
1
2
Todd Koritzinsky
1
0
1
Five Tied at
0
1
1
Bulls
G
A
Pts
Tyler Gernhofer
4
4
8
Mike Davis
1
6
7
Roman Ammirato
4
1
5
Brendan Vetter
1
3
4
Cody Gilling
1
3
4
Inside the Game
Brahmas Captain Matt Lison has points in five of his last six games played with 4G – 2A.
Tyler Gernhofer 21G – 13A and Matt Sieckhaus 11G – 21A lead the Bulls and the league in scoring. Gernhofer also leads the league in game winning goals with seven.
Anthony Mousseau 3G – 10A is tied for 14th in the league in Defenseman scoring and Alexey Solovyev 3G – 9A is tied for 18th.
Both Amarillo goaltenders are among the league leaders. Colin Delia is second in the league with a 1.33GAA while Paul Berrafato is 13th with a 2.28GAA.
Recent Brahmas addition TJ Black has played fairly well since joining the team logging a 2.49GAA and a .905SV% despite an 0 – 3 – 1 record.
The Brahmas have picked up five points in their last seven games after getting only nine points in their first 18 games.
Amarillo has the second and third longest winning streaks this season at 9 and 8 games each.
The Bulls are leading the league with 638 PIM’s and the Brahmas are second at 608 PIM’s. The only two teams that have eclipsed the 600 PIM mark.
Recent Roster Movement
The Brahmas have had made two recent roster additions. Flower Mound native Cody Wickline was added to the Forward line in time for the Rio Grande game last weekend. Wickline who is 6’ 0” – 179 has put up 18 points on 8G – 10A with the Dallas Stars Tier 1 Midget team. There is also a third goaltender added to the active roster. Mitchell Privett is an 18 year old from Corona, CA. Privett stands 6’ 2” and weighs 170 pounds. With the WSHL Ontario Avalanche last season he put up a 2.56GAA and .912SV% in 18 games played. Privett has been sidelined so far this season due to injury.
Tickets are still available for both Tuesday and Wednesday night. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lone Star Brahmas Sales Office at 817-336-4423 or at the NyTex Box Office.