Comeback falls short
Published on February 8, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Following up the efforts over the previous two weeks, the Wildcats looked for the good showings to continue against the South Division leading Topeka Roadrunners. While Friday night's game was largely forgettable, Saturday's narrow loss should provide some blocks for the team to build on as the season comes down to the wire.
Friday the Wildcats dropped a 5-0 score against the Roadrunners, in which Topeka scored four power play goals on six opportunities. Former Wildcat Michael Hill led the way with 2 goals, while Evan Karambelas was a perfect 25 of 25 in net.
The Wildcats discovered on Saturday that sometimes the tiniest margin is enough for an opponent to eke out a win as the Roadrunners scored the game-winner with barely a second on the clock in overtime. When the clock was stopped on the goal, it read 0.1 seconds.
Topeka struck early, as 42 seconds into the game, Erik Higby gave the Roadrunners an early 1-0 lead. The Wildcats would quickly strike back, as off a faceoff, Matt Grassa's shot was stopped by Karambelas, but Ryan Frost was right in front for the rebound, and pushed it past the Topeka netminder, tying things at a goal apiece.
The Roadrunners would pick up three in a row-- one in the first and two in the second-- from Alec Hagaman, Michael Hill, and Bryce Johnson-- putting them up to what appeared to be a comfortable 4-1 lead.
The Wildcats had other ideas though, not wanting to send a crowd of 2,126 home without seeing an excellent late effort. The Wildcats would score two power play goals in the third, with J.T. Osborn scoring off assists from Daniel Gentzler and Chris Leone, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Then at the 14:08 mark, controversy erupted as Brian Sheehan's shot on the power play got past Karambelas. But to many, the net appeared to have come off before the shot even was taken. The referee immediately signaled it a goal despite protests from the Topeka players and coaches, making it a one-goal game.
With under four minutes to play, a roughing penalty looked like it could thwart the comeback, but the Wichita Falls penalty killers had other ideas. Kyle Gallegos picked off a pass at the blue line and raced back toward the Topeka end with Tyler Lundey in a two-on-one. Gallegos pushed the puck across to Lundey who had a ton of net to shoot at, and tied the game at four. The Wildcats outshot Topeka 12-6 in the third.
Overtime came with both teams making efforts to get the game-winner. The Wildcats even managed to kill off a penalty, putting them at a perfect 9 for 9 on the PK on the evening. But with just seconds left in OT, Bryce Johnson found Edgars Lipsburgs with half a step on the Wildcats' defense. He got around them, and got just enough on his shot to slip it past P.J. Musico with under a second left for a 5-4 Topeka victory.
The two teams will play again in Wichita Falls in March. The Wildcats' next games will be a three-game set this weekend in St. Louis.
Police and Fire Night
The Wildcats are saluting Wichita Falls area police officers and fire fighters by offering free tickets to the game on Friday, February 26 against the Texas Tornado. If you are a member of the area's police or fire fighting forces and would like to come to the game, contact the Wildcats at 940-716-5587 to get a voucher for two free tickets. Additional family members can come to the game for only $5!
Game Date and Time Change and "Never Waste a Ticket" Night
The Wildcats game against the St. Louis Bandits originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 at 7:05 pm, has been moved to Sunday, February 21 at 3 pm. Please make note of this date and time change. Tickets for Wednesday the 17th will be honored on Sunday the 21st.
Also, the next "Never Waste a Ticket" Night for season ticket holders is coming up on Friday, February 19 vs. St. Louis. Season ticket holders can trade in any unused tickets for tickets to the game on the 19th to bring along any friends and family to see a Wildcats game.
Wildcats in the Community
The Wildcats will be visiting two local schools this week as part of the Future of America Program. On Tuesday, the team will be at Sam Houston Elementary School, and on Wednesday, they will be visiting Southern Hills Elementary School.
Wildcats Alumni Update
Former Wildcats' goalie Dan Ramirez picked up his first win of the season for American International College. The junior stopped 23 of 28 shots in AIC's 6-5 victory over Bentley University on Friday.
Kyle Kraemer had a three-point week for Northeastern University. He scored the Huskies' lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Boston University in the opening round of Boston's Beanpot Tournament, and had two assists in a 5-1 win over Merrimack on Friday.
After being out of the lineup for much of December and January, Luke Salazar picked up his first goal of the season for the Denver Pioneers. His first-period goal gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead en route to a 4-1 win over Mercyhurst.
The Jameson brothers' success continues at Wentworth. On Wednesday, Skylur Jameson picked up 3 assists in a 5-3 victory over Johnson and Wales University. Sunday, it was Shaun Jameson's turn to shine, scoring two goals and adding an assist in a 6-1 win over Nichols. Mike Jarboe got the win in net against Nichols, stopping 26 of 27 shots.
Joel Sauer continues to lead the Augsburg Auggies in scoring, picking up two goals in two victories over St. Mary's. He and sophomore teammate Nick Guran each have 13 goals and 12 assists to lead the Auggies this season.
Kent Detlefsen picked up three goals for Wisconsin-Stevens Point on the weekend. The Pointers lost to Wisconsin-Superior on Friday by a 5-2 tally, but Detlefsen scored both of UWSP's goals on the power play. He would score a shorthanded goal in Saturday's 6-2 loss to St. Scholastica.
Chad Costello continues his work as an assist machine for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays. In a 6-2 victory on Friday, Costello assisted on four goals. His 28 assists on the season lead the team and tie him for 19th across the entire Central Hockey League.
Dan Sexton made a case to the Anaheim Ducks to get him back to the NHL as soon as possible. In his first game back in the minors, he tallied two goals (with one coming on the power play) and was a +2 in Manitoba's 5-4 overtime loss to the San Antonio Rampage on Friday night. Sexton now has three goals and two assists in seven American Hockey League games.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2010
- Comeback falls short - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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