Americans Prevail in Shootout 4-3, Regain First Place in Berry Conference
December 3, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
North Richland Hills, TEXAS - The Americans took on the Brahma's Friday evening at the NYTEX Sports Center in their second of eleven scheduled games between the cross-town rivals in the regular season. Allen took the lead early when Bruce Graham scored on the power play at the 5:16, assisted by Keith Johnson and former Brahma's Captain Jason Deitsch. The Americans extended their lead to 2-0 less than two minutes later when Jim McKenzie shoveled home a loose puck past a prone Brahma's netminder Steve Silverthorn at 7:04; credited with the assists were Colton Yellow Horn and Tyler Ludwig. The score remained unchanged for the remainder of the opening period with Allen outshooting Texas 11-7.
The Brahma's cut the Americans lead in half at 5:37 of the second period when Phil Fox snuck one past Marco Cousineau to make the score 2-1. The goal breathed new life into the Brahma's who brought the score level on a goal by Brock Meadows with 5:32 remaining in the middle frame. Bruce Graham then notched his second goal of the night, assisted once again by Keith Johnson and Dominic D'Amour, each with their second points of the night as well, to give the Americans back the lead, 3-2. Allen continued to lead in shots on goal at the conclusion of two periods of play, 20-17.
The third period remained scoreless until late in the period when Ross Rouleau lit the lamp for Texas with 3:35 remaining in the period where the score would stay as regulation expired. Allen continued to hold the edge in shots on goal through three periods of play, 29-25. Neither team was able to get the game winner in overtime, so it would take shootout to decide the winner.
In the shootout session the score was once again tied 3-3 after goals by Kyle Howarth, Jordan Kary and Chad Woollard for Texas while Colton Yellow Horn, Jason Deitsch and Jim McKenzie scored for Allen. Brendon Hodge failed to score as the fifth and final shooter for the Brahma's but Keith Johnson fared better, potting the puck and securing the victory for the Americans, 4-3. The win on Friday night puts Allen back in first place in the Berry Conference over Wichita by one point.
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