Brahmas win preseason game over Jackalopes
Published on October 11, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas - The Texas Brahmas had their final tune-up before the regular season Saturday night as they hosted the Odessa Jackalopes in a 3-2 overtime victory at the NYTEX Sports Centre.
The first period was plagued with penalties, five against the Jackalopes and three against the Brahmas. The penalty killing units played vital roles for both teams as the period ended tied 0-0 with Brahmas netminder and Jackalopes goalie Juha Toivonen deflecting all shots that came there way.
The teams returned from the locker rooms seemingly more focused as they tested one another physically, beginning with a fight between the Brahmas newest enforcer Lance Galbraith and Jackalopes defenseman Garrett Gruenke. Despite the fisticuffs and hard hits, the defensive core stood strong for both teams and were sent to the final period scoreless.
The offensive fire power the Brahmas were looking for came alive in the third when Galbraith took a feed from Justin Kinnunen and Aaron Davis at the 18:09 mark. The celebration could not last too long as Odessa had a strike back with a goal of their own from Mark Johnson. Five minutes later the Jackalopes took the lead for their own when Sebastien Thinel snuck a goal past Brahmas goalie in the third, Brett Jaeger.
The Brahmas were not set on disappointing their own home crowd when forward Matt Burto slapped a shot past Jackalopes backup Derek Dolson with five minutes remaining in the period to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Brahmas owned the ice as Odessa found themselves in the penalty box. Despite the new league rule with all penalties called in overtime lasting only half of the normal duration (ex: one minute instead of two for a minor), Marc Belanger took advantage and netted the game winner with a pass from defenseman Mike Vellinga and Kevin McLeod.
The victory puts the Brahmas undefeated in the preseason, a good omen for their upcoming season opener this Friday in Bossier-Shreveport. The Brahmas home opener is set for Saturday, October 18 at the NYTEX Sports Centre for a 7:05 PM start against the Mississippi RiverKings. For tickets, please contact the Brahmas Box Office at 817-336-4423.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2008
- Rush fall short against Eagles in 2nd preseason play - Rapid City Rush
- Sundogs Close Out Preseason with 6-3 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Scorpions Fall In Shootout - New Mexico Scorpions
- Gorillas earn second straight against New Mexico - Amarillo Gorillas
- Colorado Aces Final Preseason Tune-Up, 6-0 - Colorado Eagles
- Brahmas win preseason game over Jackalopes - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Blank RiverKings in Pre-Season Finale - Mississippi RiverKings
- CHL/PHPA Joint Bargaining Update - CHL
- Mudbugs Earn Preseason Shutout in Mississippi - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks Blanked In Final Pre-Season Tilt - Laredo Bucks
- Bucks Wrap Up Pre-Season Tonight In Corpus - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Open Preseason with 5-4 Comeback Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Rush Earns Pre-Season Victory - Rapid City Rush
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