Lone Star Brahmas vs Amarillo Bulls Preview

The Lone Star Brahmas will be headed back to Amarillo to face the Bulls for the second series in the past three weeks. They have played a total of eight games this season with the Brahmas holding a 3 – 5 – 0 record against the Bulls. The two teams split a pair of games at Cal Farley Arena the last time they met. Lone Star shut out the NAHL’s leading offense grabbing a 2 – 0 win on Feb 1^st in front of over 3,000 Amarillo faithful. The Bulls have had a break in their schedule since that loss, so they have had plenty of time to stew.

Jan Hudecek 3G – 4A has led the charge against Amarillo this season despite playing in only five of the eight games. Conner Enciso 1G – 5A and Matt Lison 3G – 2A have also been productive offensively against the Bulls. TJ Black has been at his best against Amarillo posting a 3 – 2 – 0 record with a 1.12 GAA and a .963 SV%. He has also handed the Bulls two of their three shutout losses this season.

Amarillo has been paced by Mike Davis 5G – 3A, Joe Grabowski 2G – 6A and Brady Ferguson 3G – 4A in the head to head matchups. Both Collin Delia and Paul Berrafato have played well between the pipes against the Brahmas. However, Delia’s 2.13 GAA against Lone Star is more than a half goal higher than his season total 1.50 GAA. His save percentage also falls against the Brahmas dropping from a season .941 to .897 against the Brahmas. Berrafato’s save percentage also takes a tumble against the Brahmas going from a season .916 to .903. His goals against average though is better against the Brahmas than the rest of the league. Berrafato has a 2.28 GAA against the league and a 1.87 GAA against the Brahmas.

While the Bulls were off last week, the Brahmas built on their shutout of Amarillo with a sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes at the NYTEX Sports Centre. As a result, the Brahmas win streak now stands at three games. On Friday night the Brahmas jumped on the Jackalopes for three first period goals from Hogan Davidson, Kellen Wasell and Enciso before the visitors could get on the board. Roman Uchyn and Gordie Helmuth added to the lead in the second before Odessa got one back. The Jackalopes had a pair of goals in the third but Wasell and Enciso both added their second of the night and Lison put a lid on any thoughts Odessa may have had of a comeback. Saturday’s game was a much tighter affair. Nick Blase gave the Brahmas the lead midway through the first period. Odessa managed to tie it up in the second where it remained through the balance of regulation and overtime. In the shootout the Brahmas got goals from Alexey Solovyev, Lison and Liam Stirtzinger while Black allowed only one of four Odessa shooters to score for the 2 – 1 victory.

Last 5 Games

OTL

Pts

Brahmas

Bulls

Special Teams

When it comes to special teams play, the Brahmas and Bulls are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Amarillo has the number one rated power play and the number six penalty kill in the league. The Brahmas on the other hand come in ranked 23^rd on both the power play and penalty kill.

The Brahmas’ road power play is last in the league at just 6.0%. They have managed only five goals on 84 opportunities. Things will not get any easier for them in Amarillo as the Bulls’ home penalty kill is holding at 92.3% good for third in the league allowing nine goals on 117 kills.

When the Brahmas’ road penalty kill is on the ice, they are 24^rd in the league at 77.9% giving up 23 power play goals on 104 opportunities. The Bulls’ home power play has slipped to third in the league at 24.3% with 26 goals on 107 opportunities. The slip is thanks in part to a stiff effort by the Brahmas two weeks ago. In that series the Brahmas held Amarillo scoreless on eight power play opportunities.

Goaltending Comparison Last 5 Games

OTL

GAA

SV%

Brahmas

3.00

142

.904

Bulls

1.40

117

.944

Who is Hot (Last 5 Games)

Brahmas

Pts

Conner Enciso

Kellen Wasell

Roman Uchyn

Ryan Watson

Five tied at

Bulls

Pts

Brady Ferguson

Mike Davis

Brendan Vetter

Mitchell McPherson

Patrick Pollock

Inside the Game

There have been four shutouts in the eight games between the Brahmas and Bulls, two for each team.

Kellen Wasell leads in PIM’s in the series with 42 and is the only Brahmas player with more than 22. Ben Jentsch 39, Joe Grabowski 31 and Brendan McGuire 31 lead the Bulls who have a total of 248 minutes compared to the Brahmas 212 minutes. Amarillo leads the league in minor penalties with 310 and is tied with the Brahmas for the league lead in 10 Minute Misconducts with 16.

Mike Davis 19G – 30A is second in the league in scoring. His 30 assists is second best in the league as well.

Kellen Wasell is tied for the league lead among active players in shooting percentage. He has 7 goals on 34 shots for 20.6%.

Joe Grabowski 6G – 21A and Brendan Vetter 6G – 19A for Amarillo and Anthony Mousseau 3G – 20A are among the league leaders in defenseman scoring.

Alexey Solovyev is tied for the league lead in successful shootout goals by a defenseman with 3. Had he not had a shootout goal waived off he would have the outright lead.

Amarillo and Lone Star are second and third in the league averaging 24.02 and 23.38 PIM’s per game. NAHL South Teams hold down the top four spot in the league. .

Alexey Solovyev’s 6 goals scored is tied at eighth among Defensemen with Amarillo’s Joe Grabowski and Brendan Vetter.

Lone Star is 6 – 2 in shootouts this season which is tied for the leagues best shootout record. They have scored 17 shootout goals in 41 attempts for 41.5% which is third in the league. The Brahmas are 10^th in the league in shootout percentage against at 25.6% on 10 goals in 39 attempts.

The Brahmas are 11 – 2 – 3 in one goal games wile Amarillo is 7 – 4 – 2 under the same circumstances.

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