NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The Wichita Falls Warriors (6-4-1-2) hit the road for the second straight night to face the Lone Star Brahmas (14-5-1-0) for the fourth time this season.
The Warriors would strike early into the contest as Ryan Robinson (4) would score 1:03 into the first off of a rebound to give the Warriors the 1-0 lead. Robinson has now scored three goals in his last two games. The Warriors would hold the 1-0 lead until the 13:37 mark where the the Brahmas would put on some pressure of their own and tie the game at 1-1. In the final minutes of the opening frame the Warriors would go on the penalty kill and kill off the penalty. Owen Baumgartner (2) rushed out of the penalty box, stole the puck from Nicholas Niemo, got around the defenseman and scored with under 10 seconds left to give the Warriors a 2-1 lead heading to the first intermission.
In the second period the physical play between the two South Division rivals would pick up. After every whistle the two sides would get together and exchange New Year’s Day greetings. The Warriors would extend the lead to 3-1 at the midway point of the period when Hunter Jones (1) found the back of the net for his first goal of the season and first goal as a Warrior. Then the assistant captain Vince Corcoran would add another goal to the lead scoring his first of the season and first as a Warrior as well 19:20 into the second. The Warriors would take the three goal lead to the third period.
Things really started to get physical at the start of the third period as the two sides broke out into a brawl with Mac Wiseman, Drew Vieten, Owen Baumgartner and Hunter Jones all out there trading punches with the Brahmas. The Brahmas tried to use the fight to spark some momentum, but the Warriors would set the tone by continuing to take the body and lock down in the defensive zone. Warriors goaltender Owen Bartoskiewicz would make some big and timely saves to preserve the Warriors three goal lead. The Warriors would keep the Brahmas from scoring another goal and win the game by a final of 4-1, taking two points from the Brahmas. It is the first time this season that the Warriors have won back to back games.
Owen Bartoskiewicz (5-2-1-1) recorded the win for Wichita Falls in his fourth straight start. He recorded 25 saves on 26 shots faced in the win. Rico Dimatteo (4-2-1-0) recorded the loss for Lone Star. He recorded 19 saves on 23 shots faced in the loss.
Up next, the Warriors face the Brahmas again but this time at home on Saturday night, as they look to make it three straight wins. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
