Brahmas Burned by Controversial Call in Loss to Bulls
December 20, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Lone Star Brahmas News Release
The Lone Star Brahmas made their way to the Texas Panhandle to face off against the Amarillo Bulls on Friday night. The teams have faced each other five times already this season with the Brahmas holding a four games to one advantage when the puck dropped.
With 9:11 to go in the first Oskar Andren fed the puck from the left wing across toLudvig Larsson just off the right post and only a tremendous save by Jacob Weatherlydiving across the crease kept the game scoreless. However it didn't take long for Lone Star to find the back of the net as on the ensuing faceoff to Weatherly's left, Roman Uchyn pulled the draw back to AJ Vanderbeck. Vanderbeck went East to West and flipped it over the right pad for the one goal lead at 10:53.
At the 5:42 mark of the second, TJ Black had to come up with a big save on AJ Dugganwho was left alone just outside the crease. Black came out challenged him and absorbed the shot with no rebound. With Amarillo on the power play, the Brahmas had a bad line change and in the confussion they allowed Kyle Hartman to go unabated down the near side. Hartman drove net firing a shot from about five feet, but Black was up to the task to preserve the lead.
As it was looking like the Brahmas would skate away with a one goal victory things too an ominous turn. With just 1:26 to go I witnessed the absolute worst call I have seen in over 10 years of attending and watching NAHL hockey. With the left post two feet off of its' moorings for a good two to three seconds, Amarillo put the puck in the net and Referee Stan Szczurek allowed it to stand sending the game to overtime. The league needs to review the tapes of the game and turn this into learning experience for Szczurek. At 4:33 of the overtime period the Bulls got their early Christmas gift whenJesper Synnelius fired one top shelf from the left wing circle.
Just like that what should have been a shutout win for the Brahmas turned into an overtime win for Amarillo. Maybe tomorrow, Szczurek can wear a Santa hat instead of the orange arm bands.
Amarillo outshot the Brahmas 31 - 29 in the contest. Both teams were scoreless with the man advantage as Amarillo was 0 - 2 and Lone Star was 0 - 1.
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