NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The Brahmas picked up a 3-1 victory over the Sugar Land Imperials in their first road game of the season on Friday night. Here are some takeaways from the action!
DUNNER BATTLING: The ever so dangerous returning forward has been recovering from a lower-body injury sustained last week but was still able to contribute on all three Brahmas goals on Friday. Perhaps more importantly, his goal not only set the tone for the team over the course of the game, but maybe that’s what Ryan needed to get his personal touch going. He put home 21 last year and now he’s got his first of the 2015-16 campaign. It won’t be his last.
SHEP CAUSES A SCENE: Last weekend Mykyta Sheptytsky made his season debut for the Brahmas and quietly picked up four assists in four games. Tonight, he finally struck gold as he recorded his first two goals of the season. He also added an assist on Dunner’s tally, thus advancing his total to seven points in five games. We all know he finished tied for fourth in the entire league scoring this year and it appears he’s on a war path back up the charts.
PERRONE NEARLY PERFECT: It’s likely been hard for Brandon Perrone to establish a rhythm thus far this season. He opened the season only seeing 14 shots from Euless, then Point Mallard and Atlanta throw 33 and 40 on him, but tonight it was back to seeing just a dismal 12 shots. The New York native came within 36 seconds of his second shutout of the season tonight but nonetheless, one goal against isn’t too shabby. It’s likely he’ll start again Sunday.
POWER PLAY STILL STRUGGLING: Sugar Land committed NINE penalties tonight and the Brahmas were only able to convert on one of them. Furthermore the Brahmas had a lengthy opportunity in the third as a result of a double minor-game ejection on an Imperial. Sheptytsky’s first did come with the man advantage but 1/9 is still not great. The team is now a harsh 11% so far this season. It’s undeniable the talent is there, however they just haven’t figured it out yet. Maybe tonight was a start.
DISCIPLINED HOCKEY: Texas’ penalty kill ranks ninth in the league at an even 90% after tonight’s contest where they were a successful 1/1. Only one trip to the box is noteworthy due to the fact that the boys racked up 14 penalties during the first three games of the season. Since then, the trips to the sin bin have declined, which is working in their favor.
The Brahmas and Imperials are back at it again Saturday night in Sugar Land! Tune in on FASTHOCKEY.