Cameron Lifts Brahmas to 2-0 Series Lead

March 31, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Jordan Cameron's hat-trick goal with only four seconds remaining in regulation broke a 3-3 tie and propelled the Texas Brahmas to a sweep of the first two games in the Northern Conference Semifinals on Monday night at CenturyTel Center. The 4-3 defeat in Game 2 puts the Mudbugs down 0-2 in the best of seven series, which resumes with Game 3 on Friday night at 7:05 from the NyTex Sports Centre.

After John DeCaro kept them in the game in the first period, the Mudbugs twice erased third period deficits with powerplay goals to tie it up at three. The contest appeared to be headed for overtime when Cameron's sharp-angle shot somehow found its way under the crossbar and over DeCaro's shoulder for the game-winner. Brett Smith had two goals and Bugs were 3 for 5 on the powerplay in the loss.

DeCaro was the story of the first period, making a number of spectacular saves while facing 19 Brahmas shots. Only one of them found its way past the two-time CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender, who stopped breakaways, rebounds, and screened shots in the first 20 minutes. DeCaro probably never saw the puck that did get past him, as Cameron's wrister from the high slot found its way into the net to give Texas a 1-0 lead after one period.

Cameron did it again in the second period, this time right off a faceoff in the Bossier-Shreveport zone. Grant Jacobsen carried the puck behind the net off the draw before sending it out front so a wide-open Cameron could tap it in to put Texas up two. The Bugs rallied with a powerplay goal just a few minutes later though, cutting the Brahmas lead to 2-1. Justin Aikins let a wrist shot fly from the top of the circle and Smith was in front to deflect it over David Cacciola and in at 12:05 to get back within a goal. Just seconds later, Chris Brassard was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for elbowing and was lost for the remainder of the contest. The second period ended with that and two more Texas powerplays, but the Mudbugs killed off all of those penalties to finish the second frame down 2-1.

Bossier-Shreveport then tied it up early in the third period with its second powerplay goal. Joe Ori skated into the zone and hit Tyrel Lucas in the slot with Daniel Pegoraro crashing the net. Lucas buried the one-timer for his second goal in as many games to make it 2-2 just over two minutes into the third. Texas got the lead back when Chris Thompson put a back-door rebound behind DeCaro for a powerplay goal that gave the Brahmas a 3-2 edge. Once again, the Mudbugs rallied with another powerplay goal to draw even. Cacciola got a piece of an Aikins slapshot from the point, but the puck got behind him and Smith was there to finish it off for his second of the night and a 3-3 deadlock with 12 minutes remaining the contest. Both teams ramped up the intensity and focus as the third period wore on, and it seemed as though the game was destined for overtime until Cameron's final shot. With Texas controlling in the Bugs' zone and time about to expire, Cameron somehow snuck a shot in to complete the hat trick and bring a wild close to the Brahmas 4-3 victory.

For the second night in a row, the Mudbugs held a significant shot advantage in the third period. Bossier-Shreveport had 15 shots to Texas ' eight in the last 20 minutes and outshot the Brahmas 43-41 overall in the game. The Bugs were great on special teams, going 3 for 5 on the powerplay and limiting Texas to one goal on eight chances.

Now the series will shift three hours West to the NyTex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas for Games 3 and 4. During the regular season the Mudbugs earned points in four of the five games they played at NyTex, going 2-1-2 at the Brahmas' home building. Bossier-Shreveport will now try to rally from a 0-2 deficit to win a series for the first time in franchise history. Game 3 is set for 7:05 pm on Friday night at the NyTex Sports Centre. If you are planning to attend Games 3 or 4 at Texas , the Brahmas have a special section for Mudbugs fans set aside. Tickets will be available at a special discounted price if purchased from the Brahmas before Noon on Thursday. To buy tickets in this special Mudbugs fan section, contact Stephen Ford in the Brahmas office at 817-520-3328 or sford@brahmas.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2008


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