Brahmas Move to Within a Win of the Finals

The Texas Brahmas moved to within one win of advancing to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals after their 7-5 Game Five victory over the Odessa Jackalopes at the NYTEX Sports Centre on Saturday night.  Brahmas forward Scott Sheppard scored a CHL playoff record-tying four goals and had a CHL playoff record-tying six points in his teams win.

The Jackalopes looked strong early taking a 2-1 advantage in the first period behind goals from Ryan Palmer and Collin Circelli but two late first period penalties against Odessa opened the door for Sheppard and the Brahmas to steal momentum.  Sheppard tied the game at the 19:09 mark with his team on a two-man advantage and then gave the Brahmas the lead for good just 16 seconds later with another power play goal.

Texas added to their lead in the second period with Travis Banga earning his first playoff point and Jason Deitsch scoring fourth goal of the playoffs.  The Brahmas chased Odessa goaltender Juha Toivonen after the fifth goal giving way for Jeremy Symington.  Toivonen finished the game with 17 saves on 22 shots.

Sheppard’s hat trick came just 36 seconds into the final period giving Texas a seemingly insurmountable 6-2 lead but Odessa would battle back scoring three straight goals with Jeff Pierce, Dominic Leveille and Kenny Bernard all scoring.  Odessa would pull Symington late in an effort to tie the game but they fell short with Sheppard scoring his fourth of the night as time expired.

Odessa outshot the Brahmas 42-33 in the game including 17-6 in the final period as Brett Jaeger improved to 6-2-0 while making 37 saves.  Symington took the loss despite stopping nine of 10 shots.

Game Six is scheduled for Thursday night in Odessa with elimination on the line for the Jacks and the championship series in the grasp of the Brahmas.

Texas/Odessa Box Score