Americans shut down Brahmas in 4-3 shootout win

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – With their sights set on finishing the regular season strong, the playoff-bound Allen Americans defeated the Texas Brahmas 4-3 in a shootout. The win advanced Allen’s record to 39-15-4 (83 points).
 
Goalie David McKee started in tonight’s contest. Midway through the first period, the light above the Americans’ net went on, but the referee quickly indicated that the puck did not cross the line, and play continued. The Americans skated to the other end, and rookie Tobias Whelan put the biscuit in the basket. Whelan’s goal was the first time that the Americans scored at NYTEX Sports Centre in the first period. After 20 minutes of play, Allen had a 1-0 lead.
 
The Brahmas tied the game shortly into the middle frame. Forward Scott Thauwald scored at 2:22 to put Texas on the board. The Americans fired back when Jarrett Lukin redirected Tyler Wooddisse’s shot from the point to regain the Americans’ one-goal advantage with 5:37 remaining in the period. Allen headed into the third period with its first lead on the road against the Brahmas, a 2-1 advantage.
 
Texas scored early in the third period as well. Defenseman Kevin Seibel registered a power play tally when McKee was screened at 1:39. With 6:05 remaining in the regulation, Allen scored another gorgeous goal on a deflected shot with the extra-man advantage. This time, Tyler Shelast tipped blueliner Ryan Fairbarn’s shot into the cage to give Allen a 3-2 lead. The Brahmas responded roughly two minutes later with a wraparound goal from Matt Pierce to tie the game 3-3. The game was forced into overtime.
 
The teams continued to put the heat on the goalies, but neither faltered in the extra five-minute period. Allen headed into the shootout winning only one out of three contests that were forced past overtime against Texas. Justin Bowers and Colton Yellow Horn popped the puck in the net for goals in the shootout, while McKee shut down everyone but Jason Deitsch.
 
Allen ended the season with a 4-3-2 record against the Brahmas this season and advanced their record when leading after two periods to 27-1-0.
 
McKee had 38 saves tonight, and Allen had 35 shots on net. 
 
Prior to the game, Allen waived forwards Mick Berge and Maxim Chamberland. The club also signed amateur George Bradley. Bradley played for Brock University in Canada for the past four seasons.