Three in third lead Bats past Brahmas, 4-2
Published on March 6, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth - The Austin Ice Bats scored three goals in a span of 3:02 in the third period to come from behind and defeat the Fort Worth Brahmas 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum.
Playing their 2005-2006 home finale, the Brahmas appeared to be in control of the game midway through the third period. Rookie netminder Andrew Martin had kept the Ice Bats at bay for the majority of the contest, making several outstanding saves to preserve the 2-1 lead that the Brahmas gained on forward Ty Hennes' early second period goal.
With just 6:09 left in regulation, Austin was finally able to solve Martin and tie the game at two. Off a faceoff in the Fort Worth zone, Ice Bats center Jeff Neufeld shot the puck toward the Brahmas net. Martin made the inital save on Neufeld's attempt, but the puck caromed right to the stick of Austin forward Britt Dougherty. The rookie from Swift Current, Saskatchewan chipped the loose puck into the net for his second goal of the season.
With the momentum on their side from the tying goal, Austin struck again just 33 seconds later. Veteran forward Gerald Tallaire got free in the high slot and redirected an Aaron Davis centering pass by Martin to put the Ice Bats on top 3-2. Dougherty then capped off the Austin scoring outburst moments later when he finished off a two-on-one rush with another goal at the 16:53 mark of the third period.
The Ice Bats late flurry spoiled what had been a spirited performance by the Brahmas in just their second Sunday game of the season. After falling behind 1-0 on a goal eight minutes into the game by Austin's Michael Tucciarone, the Brahmas rallied. Rookie forward Matt Reynolds knotted the game at one on a powerplay goal from the left wing faceoff circle at the 15:22 mark of the first period. The goal for Reynolds was his eleventh of the season and his seventh of the year against Austin.
Hennes then put the Brahmas on top by a goal on the first shift of the second period when he scored off the rebound of a Ben Gustavson shot. Hennes' eighth goal of the season would keep Fort Worth on top until the Ice Bats third period rally.
Martin took the defeat in net for the Brahmas, allowing the four Austin goals on 38 shots. Ice Bats goaltender Miroslav Kopriva turned away 35 of the 37 Fort Worth shots he faced to get the win.
The loss for the Brahmas, their seventh in eight games this year against their I-35 South rivals, sets Fort Worth's record at 16-32-8 for the season. The win for Austin (30-24-3) was their fifth in a row, and gives the Ice Bats a six-point lead over Rio Grande Valley and Amarillo for a Southern Conference playoff spot.
Fort Worth will now begin a stretch of eight consecutive road games to close out their 2005-2006 season. The extended road trip begins on Wednesday, March 8, with a 7:05 p.m. game at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum against the Lubbock Cotton Kings. Fort Worth will then play two games this coming weekend, Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 in Loveland, Colorado against the defending CHL President's Cup champion Colorado Eagles. For additional information, please contact the Brahmas team office at (817) 336-4423.
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- Three in third lead Bats past Brahmas, 4-2 - Fort Worth Brahmas
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