Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Brampton Beast: Not all bad despite 0-2 start to the season

By David Morassutti

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 11: Pucks lie on the ice during warmups prior to the game between the Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 11, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 11: Pucks lie on the ice during warmups prior to the game between the Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 11, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Brampton Beast played their first two games of the regular season including their home opener on Sunday at the Powerade Centre.

After posting their best season in franchise history, the Brampton Beast look to get back to playoffs as they kicked off their season this weekend.

The team traveled to Glen Falls NY., to take on the Adirondack Thunder who finished first in the North Division last season. The Beast got off to a tough start allowing three goals in the first period but kept it close as Thomas Ebbing got on the board on the power play.

In the second period Brampton put on the pressure with 15 shots and were able to cut the lead down to one thanks to a goal by Jordan Boucher. They were also able to hold the Thunder to nine shots on goal in the period.

Despite scoring two goals in the third period, the Beast could not contain Adirondack’s offence losing 5-4 in regulation. Ty Loney led the way offensively with four points (two goals, two assists) while Troy Bourke followed with three points (two goals and an assist).

More from Toronto Sports

Ebbing an NCAA free agent from Michigan State finished the game with two points (a goal and an assist) in his ECHL regular season debut. Michael McNiven made 29 saves in the loss.

In their home opener, it was a rematch between the Beast and the Manchester Monarchs who eliminated Brampton in the Division finals. Just like the season opener, the Beast found themselves trailing after the first period with Sam Kurker putting the visitors up halfway through the opening frame.

It did not get much better in the second period as Brampton found themselves in a 3-1 hole heading into the third. Rookie Jordan Boucher notched his second goal of the season on the man advantage as he was able to walk in and put one past Charles Williams.

The Beast would continue to put on pressure in the third making it 3-2 with under five minutes left to play after Brandon Marino was able to get one past Williams. With the goalie pulled and the extra attacker out, the Monarchs were able to seal the deal with Kevin Morris scoring on the empty net.

Marcus Hogberg, the Ottawa Senators 2013 third round pick of the made his first start in the ECHL after playing in three games with the Binghamton Senators last season. He would make 28 saves and was a big reason why the Beast were able to keep the score close receiving the third star of the game.

While the Beast were unable to get a win this weekend there are reasons to be optimistic as Brampton was able to keep the score close despite trailing in both games. Veteran Brandon Marino leads the team with three points including two goals after scoring 72 points (20 goals and 52 assists) last season. Marino is followed by rookies Boucher and Ebbing who are off to strong starts in their first taste of professional hockey.

Next: Observations from the Leafs 4-3 OT win over Montreal

The team will look to get some revenge on Manchester when the two teams meet up again on October 15th at the Powerade Centre for their first school day game of the season.

Home/Toronto Sports