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Rivals and Departures: Americans, Brahmas locked in close playoff series with one to be out within a week
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
The last time the Allen Americans and Texas Brahmas hooked it up, the game featured a series of brawls with penalty minutes galore.
The whistle wasn't blown nearly as many times Friday night, but that's partially because the two teams were fighting for something much more important: a spot in the Berry Conference Finals.
That best-of-7 playoff series stands at 1-1 after the first two games in Allen.
"It was a big win tonight," said Jason Deitsch, Americans captain.
Allen got off only one more shot than Texas, but Americans netminder Rejean Beauchemin stopped each of the 22 pucks that came his way.
"Beauchemin played great and made some big saves for us," Deitsch said.
While Beauchemin locked down the net, Allen continually lit the lamp on the other end.
Jim McKenzie, who also had a third-period assist, scored the lone tally in the first frame. His goal was assisted by Jarret Lukin and Bruce Graham, both of whom accumulated three points on the night. Lukin had two more helpers, both of which came on goals by Graham. Graham's first goal made it 3-0 with 3:50 remaining in the second period and his final score made it 4-0 with 13:26 to go in the final frame.
Allen also got a second-period goal from Brian McMillin, which featured one of Mike Berube's two assists, and Keith Johnson closed out the 5-0 win with 6:09 left in the third.
"It was a good way to start the playoffs," Deitsch said. "Now we have to get ready for Game 2 on Sunday."
Texas would heed that same message as its offense woke up Sunday evening and the Brahmas picked up a 4-3 victory to even the series at 1-1.
It wasn't because of an outpouring of attempts though. The Brahmas were actually outshot by the Americans in the third period, 15-2, but the visitors took advantage of the chances they got.
Chad Woollard picked up the puck off a turnover late in the third and led an odd-man rush. Woollard eventually fed the puck into TJ Fox and he tickled the twine off a shot from the right face-off circle with 2:49 remaining to give Texas a 4-3 lead and eventual victory by the same margin.
The game was back and forth before that.
Texas scored first, but Allen regained the advantage before the period was over as Graham and Keith Johnson, who also notched an assist, scored to make it 2-1.
A new period meant a different team in control as goals from Woollard and Andrew Lackner put the Brahmas back in front, 3-2. Deitsch, who also had an assist, scored with 5:15 left in the third period to even the game, but that tie remained intact for just 146 seconds as Fox put home the game winner.
Texas goalie Mark Guggenberger stopped 28-of-31 shots to pick up the victory.
The site of the best-of-7 series shifts to North Richland Hills Wednesday night for Game 3. The action remains at the NYTEX Sports Centre for Game 4, 7:30 p.m. Friday, before moving back to the Allen Event Center Saturday with the puck set to drop for Game 5 at 7:05 p.m.
Americans set playoff roster
Following Allen's 3-1 victory over the Wichita Thunder last Sunday to close the regular season, Americans head coach and general manager Dwight Mullins said the toughest preparation for the playoffs would be setting the roster.
Those decisions were made three days prior to the playoff opener.
"It's a very difficult day," Mullins said. "Having to make tough decisions on great people that have contributed to our success and helped get us to this point is very difficult. I wish there was a better process."
Allen's playoff roster includes: Graham, Lukin, Deitsch, McKenzie, Johnson, McMillin, Berube, Colton Yellow Horn, Ben Wilson, Nick Layton, Mark Nebus, Brett Clouthier, Scott Langdon, Tyler Ludwig, Dylan King, Joshua Hepditch and Jake Newton. Beauchemin is one of three netminders on the roster along with Marco Cousineau and Jon Groenheyde.
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