Carlson caps 'Catters comeback for 4-3 OT victory, unbeaten at 13

December 14, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Estero, FL--Marc Fulton forced overtime with 20 seconds remaining, Ross Carlson scored his second consecutive overtime game winner, and Kevin Baker had two points in his return to the Wildcatters as the first place 'Catters won 4-3 in thrilling come-from-behind fashion Friday to extend their unbeaten streak to thirteen games.

Texas (19-2-0-4) fell behind late in a very physical first period as Brad Herauf beat Texas goalie Anton Khudobin high on the glove side to give Florida (14-8-2-0) a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.

Baker, who began this season playing in Germany after leading the 'Catters in points last season, resumed his ECHL career where he left off, proving he is still dangerous around the net by slamming home a Fulton rebound to tie the game 1-1 at 6:08 into the second period.

J.B.Bittner would score from his knees for a power play goal to give the Everblades a 2-1 lead at 17:53 of the second period. Though the Wildcatters would outshoot Florida 13-10 in the second stanza they would enter the third period trailing by a goal.

Brad Zancanaro would extend the Florida lead to 3-1 with his seventh goal of the year at 5:05, though the power play tally would seem to light a fire under the Wildcatters, now faced with the prospect of their first regulation loss since the week before Thanksgiving.

Running a set play on the first defensive faceoff following the goal, Texas would spring Baker down the right boards. Scott Champagne would join the play in the neutral zone to create a 2-on-1 opportunity and send home a centering pass from Baker for a beautiful goal at 5:41 to bring the game within one.

Texas would dominate much of the remaining action, outshooting the Everblades 12-5 in the third frame, but were unable to find the equalizer until the game's final seconds.

After Khudobin left the ice for the extra attacker with under a minute remaining, Max Taylor would get possession in the corner and send a pass to David Schulz on the point. Able to get a quick shot off, Schulz's drive would be tipped by Fulton in front of the net to tie the game 3-3 with only 20 seconds remaining.

Carlson, who scored the OT game winner in a similar 4-3 win Tuesday, gave an encore performance Friday night. Charging in from the right wing, he sniped a snap shot just under the crossbar at 1:11 of the extra frame to secure the victory and was mobbed by jubilant teammates as 5,207 Florida fans moved towards the exits.

The Wildcatters, 0-for-2 on the powerplay Friday, fired 38 shots at Plante. Khudobin made 26 saves for the 'Catters while collecting his ninth win and remaining unbeaten in regulation at 9-0-0-3.

The Wildcatters go for the sweep in Florida tomorrow night at 6:30 CST. Listen or watch live on B2 Networks by logging on to www.wildcattershockey.com

The Wildcatters return to Ford Arena December 20-21 for a three-game series versus the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Book your next group outing or holiday party with the Wildcatters and get great discounts by calling (409) 951-5500!

The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros.

The ECHL "The Premier 'AA' Hockey League" has affiliations with 26 of 30 NHL teams.



ECHL Stories from December 14, 2007


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