AUSTIN, Texas (AP)- The alternative facts would be that the Bros won. The real fact is the Bros found yet another way to give up a two goal lead in the third period. The other real fact is the Bros lost another knockout-dragout shootout, this time against the previously winless Learn 2 Skate (L2S) squad by a score of 4-3.

Last night’s shootout went an epic 11 rounds. The Bros lone shootout goal came in the seventh round when captain Andrew “Statesbro Blues” Feigenbaum had to respond to L2S’s shootout goal to keep the team’s dream of winning alive. He did not disappoint, and scored with a bar down snapshot snipe. During his shootout attempt, someone from L2S joked that the Captain’s attempt should go on the Bros’ new website. As requested, here’s a video of the snipe:

The game started out very promising for the Bros, who were wearing their alternate gold sweaters last night. Fabian “Trouble No Bro” Figi quickly put the Bros up with his relentless digging in the crease. That successful forecheck was initated by Steph “Don’t Keep me Bronderin'” Meyer, who picked off a L2S pass and carried the puck deep into the offensive zone. Just two shifts later, Meyer found his own success, finding the back of the twine to give the Bros an early 2-0 lead with help from Tom “In Memory of Elizabeth Bro” Harp and Figi. The gap would be closed shortly thereafter by L2S, who ended up on the lucky end of a bad bounce. Figi would roar back, scoring from the blue line off a L2S deflection to give the Bros a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period of play.

The second period began much like the first. Noah “Done Somebro Wrong” Leggett was all over the ice quarterbacking his line with Ross “Stormy Bronday” Tagtow and Drew “Bro Way Out” John. The line found multiple opportunities, but were unsuccessful throughout the game. Despite multiple promising looks and excellent shot attempts, the line just could not get anything started. The line was, however, highly efficient at takeaways and generating turnovers last night. Before the buzzer signaled the end of the second, Learn 2 Skate roared to life and scored their second goal of the game to cut the Bros’ lead to one goal heading in to the third period.

The third period was chippy, with untimely penalties called on both sides. David “You Don’t Bro Me” Biagini continues to be a promising spark for the Bros. He played fantastic defense last night, had quality shot attempts, and had very good positional awareness. Layne “Bro’Lanta” Brougher was dropped back to defense last night, and he did a good job of setting up a few offensive runs. Brougher looked slightly underwater on possession, but he did hold the puck off L2S to help his teammates get open for a breakout. The pieces are coming together for him, and he still has potential to be a five-tool player.Unfortunately, after a questionable penalty on Leggett, the Bros had a poor line change as Leggett came out of the box. The L2S squad capitalized on the mistake and tied the game.  Chris “Whipping Bro” Beard played another excellent two-way game, but was called for a questionable tripping penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the game. The Bros killed the penalty, but Beard was deemed ineligible to participate in the shootout.

Substitute Bros goalie Steve “Midnight Bro” McKenzie was again bordering transcendence in the shootout. He stopped the first six attempts before L2S beat him blocker high. His goalie counterpart, Fawkes, also played with froideur, who also stopped the first six before Feigenbaum scored. Unfortunately for the Bros, L2S scored again on the eleventh attempt, and the Bros could not find a way to score again.

Meyer played a phenomenal two-way game, and was awarded the coveted Gonzales Flag. The team’s second star Gadsden Flag went to Figi and Feigenbaum.

GAME NOTES:

-Larry “Mountain Bro” Powell was a scratch due to a lower body injury sustained while “Going for eight” on the mechanical bull at Trophy Club;

– Nick “Southbro” Leggett was a scratch due to an all over body injury sustained by this thing we’re all trying to get through called life;

– Chris “Drunken Hearted Bro” was a scratch because he got caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar;

– Scott Van Pelt is on IR with a broken wrist.

-Eddie Valls’ did not play because his gear hasn’t arrived yet from his BLH minor league team.

BY THE NUMBERS:

-11 round shootout (league record);

-3 shootout losses;

-0 wins for the Bros through 5 games.

RIP BUTCH TRUCKS