Brahmas Saved By The Bell, Top Killer Bees 4-3

Published on January 13, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


The Fort Worth Brahmas stopped a late Rio Grande Killer Bees surge to hold onto a 4-3 victory in front of a franchise high 10,543 fans at the Fort Worth Convention Center Tuesday afternoon. The early game was part of a "Cool School" promotion by the Brahmas organization, which invited over 6,000 fourth graders from area schools.

The Brahmas wasted no time taking the early lead, as Justin Williams scored a power play goal in a scramble in the crease 7:08 into the contest. Defenseman Peter Trumbley fired a shot from the right point 1:10 into the second period, which deflected off of Reesor and slid past the extended right leg of Bees goaltender Jacque Vezina. A loose scramble behind the Bees net led to Brahmas forward Jeff Scharf setting up Vanin for a one-timer opportunity while crashing to the net. Vanin whiffed on the one-timer, but recovered to get off a shot that was stopped by Vezina. The rebound came to Vanin and he placed it through Vezina to build the Brahmas lead to 3-0.

The Bees were denied a goal midway through the contest, as Bees forward Justin Van Parys's goal was disallowed for kicking the puck across the goal line. The Bees eventually got on the board with a goal by defenseman Mike Rees with 12-seconds remaining in the second period of play. Rees blasted a slap shot from the right point that deflected off the Brahmas defense into the net, ending Brahmas rookie goaltender Tyler Nilsson shutout bid and ending his series shutout sequence at 84:46.

Brahmas leading scorer Chad Woollard pushed the Brahmas lead back to three with a goal 2:58 into the final period of play, before the Bees attempted a late rally. Troy Linna scored a highlight reel goal with 7:54 remaining as he shot the puck while diving through the right slot and scored his 11th goal of the season. In the closing moments, Bees pulled goaltender Jacque Vezina for the extra attacker and the strategy paid off. Jason Tessier sent a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and ended up in the back of the net to cut the Brahmas lead to 4-3.

The pressure continued, but the Bees comeback attempt fell short and the loss keeps the Killer Bees in third place of the Southeast Division by one standing point. The Killer Bees will have an opportunity to get in second place themselves on Friday night as they will face off in Austin against the Ice Bats. Friday's game will be the third game of the current four game road trip for the Killer Bees.

DATE Tue, Jan 13, 2004 Rio Grande Valley (3) Fort Worth (4)

SCORE BY PERIODS Rio Grande Valley 0 1 2 -- 3 Fort Worth 1 2 1 -- 4

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: FTW-Williams (powerplay) (Davis) 7:08. Penalties: Vanin, FTW (Cross Checking, Minor, 2 min) 0:46. Van Parys, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 7:00. Curic, FTW (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 11:08. English, FTW (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 11:08. Linna, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 11:08. Shmyr, RGV (Tripping, Minor, 2 min) 11:57. Davis, FTW (Interference, Minor, 2 min) 13:52. Rees, RGV (Tripping, Minor, 2 min) 15:35.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: FTW-Reesor (Trumbley, Vanin) 1:10. FTW-Vanin (Scharf) 15:07. RGV-Rees (Holeczy, Shmyr) 19:47. Penalties: Trumbley, FTW (Cross Checking, Minor, 2 min) 5:44. Woollard, FTW (Slashing, Minor, 2 min) 10:32. Shmyr, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 17:32.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: FTW-Woollard (Davis) 2:58. RGV-Linna (Smith, Rees) 12:06. RGV-Tessier 18:23. Penalties: Mackie, RGV (High Sticking, Minor, 2 min)4:46. Davis, FTW (Tripping, Minor, 2 min) 5:52.

SHOTS ON GOAL Rio Grande Valley 4 6 12 -- 22 Fort Worth 9 8 5 -- 22

POWER PLAY STATS PPG ADV SHG Rio Grande Valley 0 6 0 Fort Worth 1 5 0

GOALIES AWAY TEAM D MIN S SV Jacque Vezina LOSS 58:19 22 18 HOME TEAM D MIN S SV Tyler Nilsson WIN 60:00 22 19

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central