The Texas Brahmas were able to hold off a late, third-period push from the Wichita Thunder Wednesday night to earn their first victory of the Berry Conference Finals by the score of 3-2.
After a scoreless first period, the Brahmas took control with three goals in the second.
Team captain Adam Hogg scored his second goal in as many games to give the Brahmas a 1-0 lead at the 6:34 mark, and Andrew Lackner put Texas up 2-0 mid-way through the period with his second score of the postseason.
The Brahmas then extended their lead to 3-0 when Mike Hellyer fired a backhanded scoop shot by Wichita netminder Adam Russo with 2:40 remaining in the middle frame.
Wichita got a goal back when Kevin Young picked up a loose puck in front of the Brahmas’ net and beat Texas goaltender Brad Fogal 2:32 into the third period.
The Thunder then cut the Brahmas’ lead to 3-2 at 15:33 as an R.G. Flath wrister found the back of the net.
Despite the late surge, the Brahmas second-period scoring was enough to get them their first win of the best-of-seven series.
Fogal made 18 saves on 20 Wichita shots to earn his fourth victory of the postseason. Russo stopped 12 of 15 shots before being pulled for backup Bryan Hogan at the start of the third period.
Hellyer is credited with the game-winning goal, his second of the postseason.
With the win, the Brahmas now trail two games to one in the Berry Conference Finals. Game 4 of the series will be played at the NYTEX Sports Centre Friday at 7:30 p.m.
For ticket information, call 817-336-4423 or visit www.brahmas.com.
