Players To Watch: Sugar Land

Mar 4, 2016

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – This weekend is not just the final set of home games for the team but it’s also a very important one in the hunt for the south division title.  Here are four key players who are anticipated to play special role in the series against Sugar Land.

 

BRANDON PERRONE & TYLER MYERS: One of the best goaltending tandems in the entire NA3HL faces a vital task this weekend in limiting the red-hot offense of the Imperials.  The old adage states that your goaltender has to be your best penalty killer and thanks to the stellar play of the two young men, the Brahmas penalty kill has recently slid into the top spot in the entire league.  However, they’ll certainly have more shorthanded opportunities to kill off this weekend, as the last time Sugar Land was in town was one of the most penalized weekends for the team the entire season.

"We basically need to win our final 6 games to even have a chance at securing 1st place so lots will be riding on the performance of these two in net. Both are in the top six in the league but will need to bounce back against a Sugar Land team that beat each of them last month when they came to town,” head coach Al Rooney said of his netminders.  “This weekend is pretty much playoff hockey for us now, so it will be important for them to be leaders back there for us."

 

NICK NITTA: The return of the local defensemen is comparable to adding a superstar blue-liner at the trade deadline and his impact was felt immediately last weekend.  Nitta scored in Saturday’s victory and added three assists on Sunday, plastering his name all over the score sheet.  Additionally, two of his four points came on the power play and his presence at the point appears to have given a massive spark to the unit.

"Once again, we will be looking to Nick on our blue line for defensive stability as well as offensive output. He came through last weekend, but this weekend will be a stronger test,” Rooney said of the newest d-man.

 

ZACK ANDERSEN: The reigning South Division Star of the Week will be looking to extend his hot streak in the upcoming three games at NYTEX.  Last weekend the puck was just bouncing in #28’s favor, receiving magical feeds from linemates and even netting a goal off of an unsuspecting defender’s skate.  If the New York native can combine his talent with recent wizardry, it could be massive weekend for him.

"I've been emphasizing a more physical brand of hockey for us lately and he is probably best suited to provide physicality and also a health dose of skill. Fresh off player of the week honors, look for him to raise his game another notch and bring a 200 foot game for us all weekend."

 

THE SERIES:  Puck drop tonight is scheduled for 7:35 and the game is free to attend.  Saturday’s start is set for 7:05 and Sunday a few ticks after Noon.  Come check out these young stars in the final regular season home series!