Wichita Falls Wildcats' Insider for March 5, 2012
Published on March 5, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats get to face the Odessa Jackalopes a total of six times in their final nine games, with the first two coming next weekend at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. The Jackalopes have never played a game in Wichita Falls. The teams faced each other twice at the Ector County Coliseum back in December with the Wildcats taking a 4-3 shootout win on December 2 before dropping a 2-1 decision on December 3.
The Jackalopes are led by Jalen Krogman, who has a team best 26 assists and 31 points. Their top goal scorer is Willie Faust with 16. Josh Obregon also has 16, split between Corpus Christi and Odessa. Also, watch out for Connor Hellebuyck in net-in 42 games, he has 18 wins, a 2.60 GAA, and a save percentage of .929. The Jacks' leader in PIM is Tyler Minx, who has spent 140 minutes in the box.
SOUTH DIVISION NOTES: The Wildcats had the weekend off, but the South Division action continued. Amarillo helped the Wildcats out with a 5-1 win over Corpus Christi on Thursday. The IceRays struck back with a 3-2 win over Odessa Friday, but the Jackalopes took Saturday's game in shootout 2-1. Texas and Topeka split a two-game series.
WILDCATS PLAYOFF NOTES: The Wildcats have 7 of their remaining 9 games at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. The Wildcats are 13-8-2 at home this season.
CORPUS CHRISTI PLAYOFF NOTES: The IceRays play six of their remaining eight games away from the American Bank Center. On the road, they are 7-15-2 this season. They face Texas four times (2 home, 2 away) and are 5-2-1 vs. the Tornado this season. Both regulation losses came in Frisco.
NEW MEXICO PLAYOFF NOTES: Any combination of four points picked up by the IceRays or lost out on by the New Mexico Mustangs will eliminate New Mexico from playoff contention. The Mustangs host Corpus Christi for two games this weekend.
ODESSA PLAYOFF NOTES: The Jackalopes have 10 games remaining and are six points behind Corpus Christi. They face Wichita Falls six times in those ten games. The Wildcats are 1-1-0 against the Jackalopes this season.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
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
AHL
If you follow us on Twitter (@WFWildcats) you may have noticed that Dan Sexton picked up a hat trick on Saturday in Syracuse's6-4 win over the St. John's IceCaps.
ECHL
Chad Costello continues to lead the league in scoring with 72 points. He has points in 17 of his last 18 ECHL games, dating back to the middle of December.
Meanwhile, Kyle Kraemer has points in 16 of his last 17 games, including every game but one in February.
SPHL
Adam Kuhn has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) since returning to the Pensacola Ice Flyers from a broken jaw. He has 11 points and ranks second on the team in penalty minutes.
Tournament time is has begun in Division 1 and Division 3 hockey, and several former Wildcats are competing for their school's conference championships!
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Shea Walters scored twice as Bemidji State beat Alaska-Anchorage 5-4 on Saturday. Bemidji State faces North Dakota on Friday in the WCHA Tournament's opening round.
Luke Salazar had the game tying goal with 38 seconds left as Denver beat Nebraska-Omaha 3-2 in overtime on Saturday. They will face Wisconsin for the WCHA Tournament's opening round on Friday.
Others whose teams are still alive in tournament play: Brett Hartung and Zach Ledford of Bentley (vs. RIT Friday in round two of the AHA), Kyle Delaurell of Air Force (vs. Connecticut Friday in round two of the AHA), Zach Trotman of Lake Superior (vs. Western Michigan in round two of the CCHA Friday), Daniel Gentzler of Colgate (vs. Quinnipiac in round two of ECAC play Friday), and Ian Young of Colorado College (vs. Michigan Tech Friday in the WCHA's opening round).
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
National Championship Tournament play starts Wednesday night! Wentworth (Skylur Jameson, Shaun Jameson, Curtis Heinz, and Mike Jarboe) won the ECAC Northeast, St. Norbert (Chris Rial) won the NCHA, and Amherst (Eddie Effinger) won the NESCAC, garnering automatic bids to the bracket. SUNY-Oswego (Zack Josepher) was selected for an at-large bid.
Wentworth will face Plymouth State on Wednesday, and defending champion St. Norbert will take on St. Thomas. SUNY-Oswego will play Elmira on Saturday, and Amherst will go up against Plattsburgh, also on Saturday.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2012
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Wichita Falls Wildcats' Insider for March 5, 2012 - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets Bobblehead Giveaway Thursday Night - Janesville Jets
- IceRays Golf Tournament Upcoming - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Rays Report #24: IceRays Now Six Points Ahead of Odessa - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- St. Louis Forward Joe Kalisz Wins NAHL Player of the Month - NAHL
- Wild Pick up a Point in Shootout Loss - Wenatchee Wild
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