'Cats go 2-1 on the week
Published on February 13, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats picked up a couple of big wins this week in their attempt to usurp the final South Division playoff spot, beating the first-place Amarillo Bulls 3-2 on Tuesday and splitting a series with the fourth-place Corpus Christi IceRays, taking a 3-1 game Friday and losing 4-2 Saturday.
The key to beating Amarillo seems to be getting an early jump: in five of the Wildcats' six games against the Bulls, Amarillo scored inside the first three minutes, but on Tuesday the Wildcats got on the board with the first two goals of the game. Tyler Hope started things out by pushing home a rebound off Matt Purmal's shot for a 1-0 game. Hope struck again in the second and suddenly the Wildcats found themselves on the right side of a 2-0 score. Mike Erickson tallied a power play goal to get the Bulls on the board, but the Wildcats got that goal back early in the third period as George Pagonis scored from a nearly impossibly angle out of the corner to make it 3-1. Late in the third, Omar Mullan cut the deficit back to a goal, tapping a puck in off Matt Leon's back, but the Wildcats' defense held up for the final seven minutes to secure the 3-2 win. Patrick Yudez assisted on all three Wildcats goals. Amarillo, who leads the league averaging over 40 shots on goal per game, only managed 30 shots on Leon, who made 28 saves.
With a two game winning streak over division leaders Texas and Amarillo, the Wildcats strode into Corpus Christi with a chance to cut their deficit in the playoff race to as little as three points. Friday started that out properly, as the Wildcats picked up a 3-1 victory over the IceRays.
Just like Tuesday, the Wildcats struck for two early goals, as the line of Renato Engler, Zach Pochiro, and Brennen Parker hit their stride quickly. Engler's centering feed bounced from Pochiro as he was knocked into Corpus Christi goalie Anthony Stolarz and went to Parker who sent it into the net for a 1-0 game just 1:49 in. Engler followed up with a goal of his own on the power play, with a wrap-around chance that slid past a sliding Stolarz for a 2-0 lead. After a scoreless second, the IceRays broke up the shutout with Danny Fetzer stealing the puck while shorthanded and coming in on a breakaway from neutral ice, beating Leon with a wrister for a 2-1 score. Once again, the Wildcats' defense stayed strong, and Zach Pochiro joined his linemates in the parade of goals, putting one in the empty net to seal things at 3-1. Pochiro, Engler, and Parker were named the game's three stars, while Matt Leon stopped 29 of 30 shots.
The fear of possibly dropping to only three points of separation sparked the IceRays on Saturday as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held on to win 4-2 over the Wildcats. Newcomer Jonathan Grebosky picked up a hat trick for the IceRays, while Zach Pochiro's hot streak rolled on, as he tallied the Wildcats' two goals.
The first ten minutes were largely dominated by the Wildcats controlling play in the IceRays end, outshooting them 6-2 early on. But defenseman Phil Pietroniro broke through with a nifty move around the Wildcats' defense and slipped the puck low on Matt Leon for a 1-0 score. Grebosky then came through and scored his first of the night four minutes later and this time it was the IceRays with the early 2-0 lead. Grebosky added his second via the power play in the second period for a 3-0 score. But the Wildcats' tried to channel their past magic against the IceRays that had brought them back from deficits two previous times, and for a while things looked bright. Zach Pochiro scored a power play goal to cut the deficit to 3-1, then added another goal just 31 seconds into the third period, and the 'Cats were back to within a goal. The Wildcats outshot the IceRays 10-4 for the middle 18 minutes, but Anthony Stolarz stood tall in net and preserved the one goal game. Grebosky added an empty-netter for the hat trick with 47 seconds to go, cementing a 4-2 final.
The Wildcats are off this weekend, but will hit a home-heavy schedule for the final six weeks, only playing two of their final 12 games away from the Kay Yeager Coliseum. The New Mexico Mustangs are the next team to come to town, February 24, 25, and 27 at 7:05 pm.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats' back to back games with a power play goal are their first since October 1 and 2 vs. Topeka. Statistics say the Wildcats should have the advantage over their opponents in the final ten home games. The Wildcats play seven of those ten against New Mexico (5-15-1 record on the road) and Odessa (6-12-4 on the road). The Wildcats are 10-7-1 at the Kay Yeager Coliseum this season. Zach Pochiro has 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in his last four games. He leads all current Wildcats' in goals this season with 12. The Wildcats acquired forward Connor Doran and defenseman Rodney Lalonde at the trading deadline. Doran is the tallest player in team history at 6'7" and played this season with the Janesville Jets and the NA3HL's Quad City Jr. Flames. Lalonde is a four-year NAHL veteran, having played for Kenai River (2008-09), Janesville, Alpena (both in 2009-10), Texas (2010-11), Bismarck (2010-12), and Alexandria (2011-12) before coming to Wichita Falls. Doran will add size up front, while Lalonde, well-known for his role as an enforcer with good abilities in his own end, adds a mean streak to the blue line corps. Doran appeared in Saturday's game.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
Skate with your sweetheart! We'll have open skating on Valentine's Day from 5-9 pm. The price for up to four hours of skating is just $10, including skate rental!
Win a Wildcats' blanket! We're giving a few away, so text WFWildcats1 to 72727 for your chance to win!
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at P2 The Deuce downtown on Tuesdays at 7 pm. The Voice of the Wildcats, Drew Pelto, will interview the Wildcats' coaches and your favorite Wildcats' players. If you can't get to the show, tune in on the radio at 7:30 pm on 94.9, KOLI, The Outlaw.
Adult hockey and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! We also offer birthday party packages at a Wildcats game or an open skating session. Any questions about our ice programs? Contact Sarah Scrivner in the Wildcats office.
Alumni Report
NORTH AMERICAN PRO LEAGUES
ECHL
Kyle Kraemer keeps on rolling with his scoring streak stretching out to seven games. In four games this past week, Kraemer put up two goals and five assists. With 28 points on the season, it's almost a given that his ECHL career will begin with back-to-back 35-point seasons.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Tyler Tosunian's third period goal on Friday was the eventual game-winner in a 4-2 Bemidji State win over Colorado College. It was also his first collegiate goal.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
Eddie Effinger had a goal and two assists as Amherst beat Tufts 8-0 and Connecticut College 5-2 over the weekend.
Adam Cardwell scored the game-winner in Wisconsin-River Falls' 5-4 overtime thriller against cross-state rivals Wisconsin-Superior.
Brett Kaneshiro had a pair of assists as Curry thumped Salve Regina 11-2.
Skylur Jameson had two goals and two assists for Wentworth in a pair of wins: 3-2 over Becker and 8-2 over Suffolk.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2012
- Big Week Nets Burke League Hardware - Bismarck Bobcats
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Reminder: Saturday's Game Moved to Thursday - Corpus Christi IceRays
- 'Cats go 2-1 on the week - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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