(Word count is 902. I was told we could claim the double first article bonus retroactively, since I started playing this game during a double media bonus week? If so I'll claim it here.)

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Needing something extra to defeat their opponents and maintain their first-place SMJHL standing, the Colorado Raptors got help from an unlikely source: A point-less rookie on the 4th line.

5-1-1 Colorado won a key Day 9 tilt at home against the 3-4-0 St. Louis Scarecrows 2 to 1, on the back of goals from star forward Alexander Selich in the first period and Nick Brain in the 3rd. Brain's goal would prove to be the game-winner, as the Raptors closed ranks for the remainder of the period and waited out the final buzzer.

"It feels good to get on the scoresheet for the first time this year, I saved the puck and hopefully there'll be more to come." said a jovial Nick Brain in the post-game presser.

Colorado opened the scoring just 10 seconds into the first period, with Michael Scarn winning the draw and sending it to Selich, who scored on a screened wrist shot from just outside the faceoff circle. The goal seemed to be a surprise to both teams and the Scarecrow goalie Lee Marshall.

"It was a bad defensive breakdown." said the Scarecrow coach. "Nobody should be scoring like that off a faceoff. We needed to do better there."

St. Louis drew level in the second period, with Samuel Jalopski scoring at 3:22 after a wild shot rebounded straight to him off the end boards. Jalopski was positioned perfectly and slapped it into the top corner. St. Louis outshot Colorado 10-3 and threatened to take control of the game. However, Raptors goalie Yuri Ushakov stopped the threats and kept the score 1-1 going into the 3rd period.

The intermission was marred by a bizarre incident, where a streaker wearing nothing but a St. Louis Scarecrows mask hopped the boards and ran around the rink, holding up a sign that said "Slip McScruff is my dad!". The streaker was promptly sent packing via a flying clothesline from the longtime Colorado zamboni driver Ray Lahey, and was bundled out of the arena in handcuffs.

Colorado then took control of the game after the lengthy intermission, going ahead after 6:44 when Nick Brain deflected a shot from Nick Novak past Lee Marshall.

"Perfect deflection, just like we practised in camp." said the Raptors coach post-game. "Power forwards need to be able to operate in the slot and do things like that, and Brain scored the big goal that carried the game for us."

Colorado kept St. Louis at arm's length afterwards, outshooting the Scarecrows 10-3 in the 3rd and felt little pressure even after Marshall was pulled for an extra attacker with a minute left to go. The 3 stars went to Loki Odinsson, Yuri Ushakov, and finally 1st star Nick Brain for the game-winning goal.

A 3rd round draftee out of the Grande Prairie Gryphons Bantam squad in the S45 draft, Nick Brain turned some heads amongst the Raptors brass in training camp, showing a decent mix of physicality and goalscoring touch. The power forward survived the cuts easily and made the preseason roster, starting on the 4th line with fellow rookies Knute Knutsson and Nick Novak.

However, Nick endured a rough preseason, getting a measly 2 points in 50 games. Even with limited ice time, he was still outshined by his linemates and had many people, including controversial analyst and former coach Dan Curry, questioning his worth to a junior roster.

"Nick Brain took a slot from a good ol Canadian boy and produced nothing for it!" said the irascible Curry. "50 preseason games, 1 goal, and 1 assist! Even on the 4th line hes getting outplayed by his Euro buddies Nut Nutson and Nick Kovak, hes not ready for the junior league, and if any SHL team drafts this guy they're making a big mistake! I tell ya they should've drafted a good ol boy from Ontariyea and kept the league purely North American, let those damn Europeans have their own league, on the other side of the water, where they aren't infecting our game with the diving and the dipsy-doodle shifts and the other nonsense that wouldn'ta passed for hockey 30 or 40 years ago! Its a disgrace to the game!"

Curry had more words for Nick Brain, but was cut off when the gate to Hades opened up behind him, and forcibly dragged Curry back to his realm with dark magical powers.

The Raptors are certainly hoping this is signs of a turnaround for the well-regarded Brain, who is projected to be a solid mid-draft selection by the Central Scouting Bureau for the S46 SHL draft. However, the team is doing fine thanks to hot starts from forwards Alexander Selich and Zivan Zidek, who lead the league 1-2 in points. Goaltender Yuri Ushakov is also coming in for praise after a hot start, leading the league in GAA at 2.06 with the 2nd best save percentage at .919. These performances put the 6-1-1 Raptors 3 point clear of all rivals at the top of the standings early in the season. One has to think that depth scoring and big plays from the rookie crop will be vital to Colorado playoff hopes though, as the team aims to go one step further than their Finals loss last year.......

Former Agent of Nick Brain: Center/Right Winger -   

Nick Brain getting first star is still anglospheric bias at work.