Game 33: Brahmas at Oilers

The Brahmas are first in their division. Nice. Tulsa is last in their division. Doubly nice. It should be an easy (or at least easier) game for the Brahmas.

Brahma Stats 08-09

Name	Jordan Cameron	Scott Sheppard	Grant Jacobsen	Pete Rouleau
Goals	13	14	11	9
Assists	18	16	19	14
Points	31	30	30	23
+/-	+10	+8	+8	-2

The Brahmas are 20-9-3 (or 20-12, adjusted) and have a two point lead over Laredo. Three of the top four players are positive and Rouleau is just two points under. Not bad at all. The Brahmas are 1-1 against the Oilers this season.

Oiler Stats 08-09

Name	Jeff Christian	Michel Beausoleil	Brendon Hodge	Jason Lawmaster
Goals	15	12	12	6
Assists	30	27	20	11
Points	45	39	32	17
+/-	-4	+3	-4	-7

What I can't believe is how the Oilers have a guy with 45 pionts and is negative by four. Tulsa is 9-17-4 (or 9-21, adjusted) and in the CHL, they are the second worst team, being only better than Amarillo by two points.

Goalie Comparrison

Name	Games	Record	GAA	SV%
Brett Jaeger	23	14-4-3	2.37	.924
Kevin St. Pierre	23	6-12-4	3.80	.900

Jaeger is better than St. Pierre. His GAA is by far better and the save percentage is much better, too. This is how you have a guy with 45 points and is still in the negative.
Forecast: Brahmas take out the Oilers with a 5-1 margin.

Home Ice

Game 29: Brahmas vs. Blazers

Oklahoma City is 19-5-3 and is first in their division. The Brahmas are 16-9-3 and are looming in second and closing in on first in their division. I have learned that the Brahmas play in North Richland Hills, TX... which is where I reside. I think it would be grand to see a game or two this season... it isn't far from home.

Brahmas Player Stats 08-09

Name	Scott Shepherd	Grant Jacobsen	Jordan Cameron	Pete Rouleau
Goals	12	9	9	8
Assists	12	15	13	12
Points	24	24	22	20
+/-	+6	+6	+7	-2

Nothing has changed since the previous game... except the +/-.

Blazers Player Stats 08-09

Name	Bill Vandermeer	Simon Lambert	Brian Passmore	Ted Vandermeer
Goals	11	10	10	9
Assists	16	10	10	9
Points	27	20	20	18
+/-	+3	+7	+6	+6

Something to note... Oklahoma City has only two players under 0 on the +/-... which is impressive.

Goalie Comparrison

Name	Games	Record	GAA	SV%
Brett Jaeger	19	10-4-3	2.52	.920
Andy Franck	17	10-3-3	1.94	.923

The save percentages are very close, but the GAA has a good gap between the two players. Oklahoma City has the edge, for sure.Forecast: I like Oklahoma City for this one. Although, the Brahmas are playing at home and they are coming off a shutout loss... yeah, OK City takes this one with a score of 5-1.

Home Ice

Game 28: Brahmas vs. Killer Bees

The Brahmas are 16-8-3 (or 16-11 adjusted) while the Bees are 12-11-2 (or 12-13, adjusted). The Brahmas statistically are better, simply based on record alone.

Brahmas Player Stats 08-09

Name	Scott Shepherd	Grant Jacobsen	Jordan Cameron	Pete Rouleau
Goals	12	9	9	8
Assists	12	15	13	12
Points	24	24	22	20
+/-	+7	+6	+7	+1

Their top four are all in the positive. They distribute the puck quite well, with no particular "super-star" that dominates in points, but several players who handle the puck and grab down points together.

Killer Bees Player Stats 08-09

Name	Robin Bouchard	Jesse Bennefield	Nicolas Dumoulin	Trevor Weisgerber
Goals	8	12	7	5
Assists	20	14	12	14
Points	28	26	19	19
+/-	+2	+7	-1	+5

The Bees have two players who dominate in points, with three of the top four in the positive and one player who dishes out assists (Bouchard). The Bees top four isn't as strong as the Brahmas top four.

Goalie Comparison

Name	Games	Record	GAA	SV%
Brett Jaeger	19	10-4-3	2.52	.920
Wylie Rogers	17	8-7-1	3.44	.904

The Brahmas have the better goalie, too. Rogers just doesn't get the job done like Jaeger does. That's what the stats say, anyway. And Rogers' record reflects that. Forecast: Well, this one seems pretty straight forward. The Brahmas win this one by a score of 4-1. Johnny Out.

Home Ice

Game 27: Brahmas at Mudbugs

The previous two games were Brahma wins. The scores were 4-2 and 8-3... The Mudbugs are 15-7-2 (or 15-9, adjusted) whereas the Brahmas are 15-8-3 (or 15-11, adjusted). The Brahmas are better considering the points system (33 points to the Mudbugs 32), but winning percentage says the Mudbugs are the better team.

Brahma Player Stats 08-09

Name	Scott Shepherd	Grant Jacobson	Jordan Cameron	Pete Rouleau
Goals	12	8	9	8
Assists	12	15	11	12
Points	24	23	20	20
+/-	+7	+6	+6	+3

This is a strong top four. All four are in the positive and have a strong impact... that's what you want your top four to have on your team.

Mudbug Player Stats 08-09

Name	Tyrel Lucas	Joe Blaznek	Travis Clayton	Brett Smith
Goals	10	7	11	9
Assists	12	15	10	12
Points	22	22	21	21
+/-	0	-4	0	+3

Not as strong of a top four on the team, but these guys have played two less games than the Brahmas.

Goalie Comparrison

Name	Games	Record	GAA	SV%
Brett Jaeger	18	9-4-3	2.49	.920
Ryan Mior	11	6-4	2.42	.904

The Brahmas and Mudbugs are pretty evenly matched on goalies. I like the roster of the Brahmas over the the 'Bugs. The 'Bugs also have a second goalie, who looks just as good as Mior and is 5-0-1 (or, simply 5-1) Forecast: The Brahmas are really the better team at most angles. Despite that, I think they are still going to drop this one. 2-1 will be the score. Johnny Out.

Home Ice

Game 25-26: Brahmas vs Sundogs

The Brahmas are good, to say the least. They are second in their division and I would say that they are looking at the playoffs. It is still early, but they have the makings of a good playoff run. They are in the midst of a three game stretch of playing the Sundogs in Arizona, losing the first match 3-2.

Texas Brahmas Player Stats 08-09

Name	Grant Jacobsen	Scott Sheppard	Pete Rouleau	Justin Kinnunen
Goals	8	10	7	5
Assists	15	12	12	10
Points	23	22	19	15
+/-	+6	+6	-1	+10

This isn't a bad bunch. They seem to hold their own and when Kinnunen is on the ice, it appears everyone plays better. Is he a great motivator, maybe?

Arizona Sundogs Player Stats 08-09

Name	Joel Irving	Martin Gascon	Mark Kolanos	Adam Perry
Goals	17	7	15	11
Assists	20	25	9	12
Points	37	32	24	23
+/-	-8	-1	-1	-4

These guys take the ice, score big, but still have a negative impact. Which is a testament to how bad a defense these guys play. That can be the only reason why the +/- is so negative.

Goalie Comparison

Name	Games	Record	GAA	SV%
Brett Jaeger	17	9-4-3	2.49	.920
Marco Emond	17	7-8-1	3.77	.888

Jaeger is the better goalie, which is pretty straight forward when you look at the stats. Emond reminds me of how Turco started the season... and how he is continuing to play, for that matter.
Forecast: You can say that the Brahmas would be better, or you can say that Arizona is just bad, but either case, it is true. Game 25: Brahmas take it 4-1. Game 26: Brahmas take the three game series with back-to-back wins, 3-2.

Home Ice

Game 19: Brahmas vs. Mudbugs

I had to get rid of the Mudbugs font on the logo. I had to. It was awful. It's much better like this... way cooler, I guess. And next time, the gray line on the right will be gone, too. Anyway, we have a hockey game to talk about, not logo chatter.

Brahmas lost to the Oilers in their last game.

The Mudbugs are 10-5-2 (10-7, adjusted) going into a game against Witchita, which they should win. If that is the case, the 'bugs will be 11-5-2 (or 11-7) coming into the game against the Brahmas.

The Brahmas are now 11-6-1 (or 11-7, adjusted) and now have three home games before hitting the road for six games. Saturday, they play the Laredo Bucks and next Tuesday, they play the Killer Bees.

Brahmas to Watch:

• Scott Sheppard (F): 19 points; 10 assists (6)
• Grant Jacobsen (F): 17 points; 10 assists (7)
• Pete Rouleau (F): 16 points; 10 assists (1)
• Justin Kinnunen (F): 13 points (9)
• Brett Jaeger: 12 games, 8-2-1 record, with a 2.44 GAA and a .921 SV%

Jaeger's numbers got better but he still grabbed the loss. Strange. And it sucks for him... oh well, you put up a good performance and you still lose. It must be a Murphy thing.

Mudbugs to Watch:

• Kevin Cooper (F): 18 points (0)
• Tyrel Lucas (F): 17 points; 10 assists (0)
• Joe Blaznek (F): 16 points; 10 assists (-2)
• Brett Smith (C): 15 points (1)
• Ken Carroll: 8 games, 4-3-1 record, with a 2.84 GAA and a .914 SV%

Forecast: Well, I believe the Brahmas have the better team and the better goalie. The generally spells out a win for the good-guys, however the intangibles point to... oh, yeah, the Brahmas. Brahams win this one, 4-2.

Home Ice

Game 18: Brahmas vs. Oilers

Tulsa is 4-10-2 (4-12, adjusted) thus far this season. The Brahmas are second in their division with a 11-5-1 (11-6, adjusted) this season. Maybe the Stars can give a ring to these guys, since they know how to win. Anyway, the Brahmas are ranked fifth in the CHL, so they have skills.

The Brahmas offense seems about average, but what has been winning them games (and pay attention, Stars fans) is their awesome defense, which only four teams are better (and they aren't necessarily the teams that have a higher ranking than them).

Brahmas to Watch:

• Scott Sheppard (F): 19 points; 10 assists (7)
• Grant Jacobsen (F): 17 points; 10 assists (8)
• Pete Rouleau (F): 16 points; 10 assists (1)
• Justin Kinnunen (F): 13 points (10)
• Brett Jaeger: 11 games, 8-1-1 record, with a 2.48 GAA and a .920 SV%

Oilers to Watch:

• Jeff Christian (RW): 25 points; 10 goals; 15 assists (4)
• Michel Beausoleil (RW): 25 points; 18 assists (8)
• Brendon Hodge (C): 24 points; 16 assists (-2)
• Jason Lawmaster (D): 12 points (-1)
• Kevin St. Pierre: 12 games, 2-7-2 record, with a 4.27 GAA with a .887 SV%

Wow, and I thought Turco was bad. I guess it can get worse...

Forecast: Brahmas are good. The Oilers are bad. In fact, the Oilers are trying to create a new level of just how bad can things really be... they are dead last in the CHL and they aren't going to get any better tonight. Look for a score of something like 6-2, Brahmas.

Home Ice

Game 16: Texas vs. Oklahoma City Blazers

The Brahmas have lost both games they have played against the Blazers this month. Oklahoma City is good. They have a record currently at 12-1-2 (12-3, adjusted) and have the second best record in the CHL (post put together on Tuesday) and are tied with the most points in the CHL with 26.

Brahmas to Watch:

• Pete Rouleau (F): 15 points
• Grant Jacobsen (F): 15 points
• Tyler Skworchinski (F): 12 points
• Scott Sheppard (F): 16 points
• Brett Jaeger: 10 games, 7-1-1 record, with a 2.64 GAA and a .913 SV%

Blazers to Watch:

• Bill Vandermeer (RW): 16 points
• Simon Lambert (RW): 14 points
• Oriel McHugh (D): 12 points
• Jason Murfitt (C): 12 points
• Andy Franck: 13 games, 9-1-2 record, with a 1.53 GAA and a .938 SV%

They look evenly matched until you consider the goalie. The Blazers goalie is by far superior to the Brahmas goalie, who is above average, as well. Jaeger does have his hangups with the Blazers, for whatever reason, so that is an intangible to the Blazers.

Forecast: I would have to say that I have been somewhat obvious on who I think will win this game, but for whatever reason, my mind and gut are in disagreement. I think Blazers, but my gut is saying Brahmas. One of them will have to give... and that will be... my gut. Let's go with the Blazers go 3-0 in November against the Brahmas with a score of 4-1.

Home Plate

Game 15: Texas vs. Bossier

I love minor league logos. There's something about them that just makes them really cool to look at... maybe it is the name of the team or something, but they really do come across as really, really cool. With that said, I like the Mudbugs logo to a certain extent. I don't think I would have gone with the font for the name... it looks pretty amateurish. However, the crawfish looks very cool.

The last two games (well, really the first two games...) I predicted the Brahmas to win, missing the game on Sunday against Oklahoma City, which they lost. I nailed the first two games and didn't have a prediction on the OKC game. I also nailed the three NFL games and the Mavericks game. I'm on a tear of some kind... or maybe I'm just that lucky. I'll go with either one with no complaints.

The Brahmas are 9-4-1 (9-5, adjusted) and Bossier is 9-4-1 (9-5, adjusted). Both teams have the same record, so this will be a test to see who is better prepared for a playoff game very early in the season. It probably won't have to much to do with the playoff standings later, but then you never really know.

Brahmas to Watch:

• Pete Rouleau (F): 15 points
• Grant Jacobsen (F): 15 points
• Tyler Skworchinski (F): 12 points
• Scott Sheppard (F): 16 points
• Brett Jaeger: 10 games, 7-1-1 record, with a 2.64 GAA and a .913 SV%

Mudbugs to Watch:

• Kevin Cooper (F): 18 points
• Tyrel Lucas (F): 16 points
• Joe Blaznek (F): 15 points
• Simon Mangos (D): 14 points
• Ryan Mior: 7 games, 4-2 record, with a 2.22 GAA and a .917 SV%

Both teams look to be evenly matched. The Brahmas have scored 138 points this season to the 147 that the Mudbugs have scored, so only 9 points seperate the two. The Mudbugs do appear to have slightly better players in the way of points, but I really don't think that would be the difference in this game. I really don't. My best guess always goes back to what the Grandfathers would say, and this goes to just about any sport... "defense will always win it." Don't know if that really applies in today's sports, but it always sounds nice. Forecast: This game will go to overtime. I like the Mudbugs in this one with a score of 4-3.

Home Plate

Game 13: Texas vs. Tulsa

Tulsa has played 9 games and is 3-5-1 (or 3-6 if adjusted) and the Brahmas are 7-3-1 (7-4, adjusted). Texas is 2-2-1 on the road, while Tulsa is 2-2 at home. Tulsa has one awful defense and may not be able to stand up to the Brahmas offense. Tulsa has given up 46 goals in just 9 games (more than 5 goals a game)... Texas has given up 33 goals in 11 games (3 a game) while scoring 38. Tulsa has only scored 25 goals this season.

Brahmas to Watch:

• Pete Rouleau (F): 13 points
• Grant Jacobsen (F): 11 points
• Tyler Skworchinski (F): 11 points
• Scott Sheppard (F): 10 points

Oilers to Watch:

• Michel Beausoleil (RW): 14 points
• Brendon Hodge (C): 13 points
• Jeff Christian (RW): 10 points

It would appear that the Brahmas depend on the Forwards, while the Oilers lean toward the RW for their points.

Forecast: The Brahmas will win this one because defenses win Super Bowl's... or Championships. At least they win games. And it will win this game. Score: 6-2.

Home Plate

Game 12: Texas vs. Wichita

Wichita has played 12 games and is 4-7-1 (or 4-8 if adjusted) and the Brahmas are 7-3-1 (7-4, adjusted). Texas is 2-2-1 on the road, while Wichita is 1-3-1 at home. Wichita doesn't have a great defense and will probably not be able to stand up to the Brahmas offense. The Thunder has given up 46 goals in 12 games (around 4 goals a game)... Texas has given up 33 goals in 11 games (3 a game) while scoring 38. Wichita has scored 34 goals this season.

Brahmas to Watch:

• Pete Rouleau (F): 13 points
• Grant Jacobsen (F): 11 points
• Tyler Skworchinski (F): 11 points
• Scott Sheppard (F): 10 points

Thunder to Watch:

• Jason Duda (LW): 11 points
• Scott Rozendal (LW): 9 points

It would appear that the Brahmas depend on the Forwards, while the Thunder depends on their left wings to grab points.

Forecast: I like the Brahmas in this one. Look for a score of 3-2 in this one.

Home Plate