Wichita Falls Set to Wrap up First Half in Wenatchee
December 17, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Matchup
This weekend marks the first of four regular-season meetings between the Wildcats and Wild, and also represents the only trip the 'Cats will make to Wenatchee this season. Friday's contest will be the first between these two teams since the Wichita Falls claimed a 2-0 win over the Wild on Sep. 16, 2010 at the North American Hockey League Showcase in Blaine, Minn. It will also mark the Wildcats' first visit to the Evergreen State since a 7-0 defeat on March 7, 2010. Historically speaking, these two squads have been evenly matched, with the red-and-black posting a 6-7-2 mark against the Wild dating back to the 2008-09 campaign. The 'Cats will be looking to improve upon past showings at the Town Toyota Center this weekend, where they are 1-5-1 all-time. Following this weekend's tilts, these two sides will next face off on March 6 and 7 at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Wenatchee Watch
Wenatchee enters this weekend's action sitting in fifth in the South Division with a record of 12-13-5 and 29 points. After a strong month of November in which they went 7-2-2, the Wild have had a rougher schedule to contend with in December, hosting the Midwest Division-leading Fairbanks Ice Dogs for three games, before traveling to Topeka for a trio of tilts last weekend. Wenatchee came out on the wrong end of the scoreline in each of those contests, losing 3-0 on Dec. 12, before dropping a pair of one-goal games to close out the series. After their recent road struggles, the Wild will be eager to return home to the Toyota Town Center, where they are 3-1-1 in their last five contests. Jake Ahlgren currently leads the Wenatchee attack with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists), with Colin Burston (9-10- 19) and David Bowlowski (8-10- 18) close behind. In net, veteran goaltender Zach Quinn has seen the majority of minutes since being acquired from Kenai River on Oct. 22; Quinn is 7-5-2 with a 2.16 goals against average and .918 save percentage in 14 games played for Wenatchee.
A Sweep, Suspended
The Wildcats opened their season-long eight-game road swing on a high note last Friday, posting a 3-1 win over Rio Grande Valley. Austin Beaulieu opened the scoring with a power-play tally less than 50 seconds into the contest, giving the 'Cats a man-advantage marker in each of their last 13 games, before the Killer Bees leveled the score with a power-play goal of their own. Wichita Falls regained control of the affair thanks to Konstantin Chernyuk's first-career goal and a goal from Tommy Apap in the closing stages of the second, as David Zevnik made 24 saves to earn the win. The Wildcats opened up a 3-0 lead by the midway point of the second period the next night, and appeared to be on their way to a weekend sweep, before deteriorating ice conditions led to the suspension of play due to player safety concerns. That game will resume with Wichita Falls leading 3-0 with 6:04 remaining in the second period at a date and time that has yet to be determined.
Staving off the Sophomore Slump
As the halfway point of the 2014-15 season approaches, several second-year skaters have already set new statistical high-water marks. After posting 17 points on 17 assists in his first year in Wichita Falls, defenseman Matt Koch has set new career-highs in goals (3), assists (18), and points (21) through 24 games played this season. Forwards Max Reisinger and Evan Okeley have also registered new career-highs in multiple offensive categories thus far. Reisinger's 10 goals, eight assists and 18 points all represent new career-bests for the Austrian after posting an 8-6- 14 line last year, while Okeley has almost doubled his goal output from last season, with seven markers in 24 games; Okeley needs one more point to surpass last year's total of 17 points (four goals, 13 assists).
A Knight's Tale
Defenseman Cam Knight has needed little time to adjust to the junior game in his first season in Wichita Falls. The North Reading, Mass.,-native enters this weekend with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 24 games played, making him just the third defenseman in Wildcats history to reach 20 points in their debut campaign. The Alabama Hunstville-commit joins Tucker Poolman (7-22-29) in 2011-12, and Nick Shkreli (6-15-21) in 2007-08 as the only other rookie blue-liners to register 20 points in team history.
Home Sweet Home
Much of the Wildcats' record-setting start to the 2014-15 campaign can be attributed to their form on home ice. Wichita Falls has turned the Kay Yeager Coliseum into a fortress through the first half of the season, compiling an 11-2-0 mark in games played at the KYC, equaling the total number of wins recorded by the 'Cats at the KYC during the entire 2013-14 campaign. Additionally, with their home wins over Corpus Christi on Dec. 5 and 6, the Wildcats have now won eight games in a row at the KYC. That mark ties a franchise record for the longest home winning-streak in team history, set from Dec. 8 to Jan. 19 of the 2007/08 season.
Upcoming Promotions
Tuesday, January 6 marks the return of Church Youth Group Night. All church youth groups can take advantage of free admission simply by calling (940) 716-5587 to reserve your seats.
Mark your calendars for this year's Jersey of Our Back Weekend, benefitting Children's Miracle Network and the United Regional. The annual event will be held Jan. 16 and 17, with the jersey auction taking place at the conclusion of the game on Jan. 17.
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