BRAHMAS LOSE SECOND STRAIGHT TO AMERICANS
SPECIAL TEAMS MAKES DIFFERENCE IN 4-1 LOSS
 
ALLEN, Texas (December 29) – The Brahmas lost their second consecutive game to the Allen Americans Saturday night, falling by the score of 4-1.
 
As they did Friday night, the Americans jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, getting two almost identical goals from veteran forward Darryl Bootland. At 2:44, Bootland deflected a Tyler Ludwig slapshot from the point into the back of the net. The duo connected again at 9:22 as Ludwig fired another shot on net and Bootland redirected it past Fort Worth netminder Kristofer Westblom.
 
The Brahmas showed signs of life early in the second period when Chad Woollard recovered the puck behind the Allen net and fed the newest member of the Fort Worth roster, John Snowden, for an open wrister from the slot. Snowden beat Americans goaltender Aaron Dell top-shelf for his second goal in five games in a Brahmas uniform.
 
Allen answered back just five minutes later when Bootland struck again, swatting the puck out of mid-air and past Westblom to complete the rare natural hat-trick.
 
Tevor Ludwig added a third-period score to seal the deal for the Americans.
 
Westblom made 25 saves on 29 shots between the posts for the Brahmas, picking up only his fourth regulation loss of the season, but his second in as many nights. Dell stopped 23 of 24 shots that came his way, joining fellow Allen netminder Steve Silverthorn in the 10-win club.
 
The Brahmas struggled on special teams Saturday night, going 0-for-8 on the powerplay while killing only four of eight penalties.