The fans and players alike were rowdy Saturday night at the NYTEX Sports Centre as Texas defeated Mississippi 4-2 in their home opener.
Physical play themed the evening for the once divisional foes, as displayed by the 12 penalties in the opening period. The Brahmas had a 5-on-3 opportunity midway in the period but were unable to convert.
More chances were to come by for Texas when Mississippi's Dane Marshall was called for interference. The Brahmas took advantage of the RiverKing's fifth penalty with enforcer Lance Galbraith scoring a powerplay goal at the 5:50 mark.
Rough play concluded the first and Galbraith's night as we was called for a game misconduct at the sound of the horn. Texas outshot Mississippi in a 15-3 tilt in the opening period.
The RiverKings opened the scoring in the second with a Garrett Larson goal. The goal only gave the Brahmas and line mates Mark Carragher and Matt Quinn momentum as they took a two on one breakaway past Mississippi netminder Kevin Beech for the 2-1 lead. It was Quinn's first goal as a Texas Brahma.
The third period was all about newcomer Marc Belanger for the Brahmas. Efforts were seen all across the ice defensively, but it was Belanger's offensive flair that gave Texas two goals in the third giving Texas the 4-2 victory.
Brahmas goaltender Brett Jaeger stopped 18 of 20 shots and recorded his first victory of the season.
The Brahmas next home game is scheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 25 against the Odessa Jackalopes at 7:05 PM. For ticket information please contact the Brahmas Box Office at 817-336-4423.
