Two days into the 2014 North American Hockey League Showcase Tournament, things aren’t looking too rosy for the Kenai River Brown Bears organization.
But luckily, that’s not what the Showcase is for.
The tournament gives coaches and scouts the opportunity to see individuals at work. Team records do not necessarily mean a lot.
Nevertheless, the Brown Bears find themselves in an 0-2 hole after dropping a 3-2 loss to the Lone Star (Texas) Brahmas Thursday afternoon in Blaine, Minnesota.
The Brahmas came out firing with two goals in the first period and outshot Kenai River 12-4 in the frame.
The Brown Bears eventually began hammering Lone Star with a 27-12 advantage in shots in the final two periods, and Nick Klishko scored just over six minutes into the second period with help from Jack Nickels and Nate Colwell, putting the Bears on the board.
The Brahmas’ Sebastian Vidmar added an insurance goal just before halfway of the third period, but Sam Carlson closed the gap once again on a power play with 1:12 to go in the game. The goal was the first of Carlson’s NAHL career, coming in his third appearance with Kenai River.
Sean Healy had the loss in goal for Kenai River, stopping 21 of 24 shots sent his way.
The Brown Bears will face another Texan opponent today, the Amarillo Bulls, at 5:15 p.m. ADT, before finishing off their Showcase weekend with a game against the Topeka (Kansas) Roadrunners, Saturday at 3:45 p.m. ADT.
Thursday
Brahmas 3, Brown Bears 2
Lone Star 2 0 1 —3
Kenai River 0 1 1 —2
1st Period — 1. Lone Star, Egan (Thompson, Vidmar), 3:55; 2. Lone Star, Stirtzinger (Wickline, Solovyev), PP, 9:26. Penalties — Kenai River 3 for 6:00; Lone Star 2 for 12:00.
2nd Period — 3. Kenai River, Klishko (Nickels, Colwell), 6:05. Penalties — Kenai River 3 for 6:00; Lone Star 1 for 2:00.
3rd Period — 4. Lone Star, Vidmar (Egan), 9:51; 5. Kenai River, Carlson (Andrews), PP, 18:48. Penalties — Kenai River 1 for 2:00; Lone Star 5 for 21:00.
Shots on goal — Kenai River 4-10-17—31; Lone Star 12-7-5—24.
Goalies — Kenai River, Healy (24 shots, 21 saves); Lone Star, Kupsky (31 shots, 29 saves).
Power plays — Kenai River 1 for 6; Lone Star 1 for 6.
