Sweet sweep- Brahmas beat 'Bugs 5-3
Published on April 5, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas (April 5)- There are many Mudbugs-Brahmas storylines, but it was the Texas series sweep that owns the plot as they defeated the 'Bugs 5-3 Saturday to move on to the Conference Finals.
The Brahmas have scored the first goal in the game all series and captain Blair Manning, a former Mudbug, kept the steak alive when he scored his first postseason goal at the 6:58 mark. Kevin Korol and Justin Kinnunen assisted on the goal.
Bossier fought back on the powerplay as Joe Ori scored his second goal in the series with seven minutes remaining in the opening period. It was the first time the Mudbugs were not held scoreless in the first period.
With only one minute remaining in the first, the Mudbugs were looking at a 1-1 tie heading into the locker room, but Texas was not ready for the intermission yet as Manning scored over Mudbug's goaltender John DeCaro unassisted for his second goal of the night.
Thirty-seven seconds later another former Mudbug, Scott Sheppard found an Anders Strome and Manning pass to put over DeCaro's glove to give Texas the 3-1 lead.
Brahmas netminder David Cacciola faced 16 shots in the second but was not willing to give up one as he made incredible saves as the period went on. Midway through the second defenseman Kevin McLeod went on a breakaway with Grant Jacobsen and was able to find the back of DeCaro's net. It was McLeod's first goal in the postseason and the game winner.
The Mudbugs were not giving up easily as Daniel Pegoraro and Joe Ori were able to score on Cacciola in the third, positioning Bossier with only one shot down, 4-3.
Mudbugs goaltender DeCaro was pulled to give Bossier the extra man advantage but Texas was able to put the game away with Sheppard's second of the night, an empty net goal from Tyler Skworchinski.
Texas was outshot by Bossier 43-26 but was able to come out with the 5-3 win and 4-0 series sweep to win the Northeast Division. The Brahmas will now face the Colorado Eagles for the Northern Conference Finals. The series is the best of seven with a 2-3-2 format. The schedule is:
Game 1 @ COL- Date TBD Game 2 @ COL- Date TBD Game 3 vs COL-4/16 Game 4 vs COL-4/18 Game 5 vs COL-4/19 (if necessary) Game 6 @ COL-4/21 (if necessary) Game 7 @ COL-4/23 (if necessary)
For ticket information please contact the Brahmas Box Office at (817) 336-4423. To purchase tickets please visit the Brahmas Box Office at the NYTEX Sports Centre or visit www.brahmas.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2008
- New Mexico Falls In Game Five - New Mexico Scorpions
- Arizona Takes 3-2 Lead as Series Shifts Back to Arizona - Arizona Sundogs
- Sweet sweep- Brahmas beat 'Bugs 5-3 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Bow Out of Playoffs in Texas - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Scorpions Even Up Series With Win - New Mexico Scorpions
- Third's A Charm, Brahmas Beat 'bugs 3-2 In Game Three - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Brahmas Again Hold off Comeback, Lead 3-0 - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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