Cats Battle Bandits in Weekend Series

November 7, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


The Wildcats faced the St Louis Bandits this past weekend, playing them three times in only three days. The Bandits are currently the division leader, and showed why this weekend defeating the Cats all three games. The Wildcats are currently tied for fifth in the NAHL South Division with Alaska, and sit only one point behind Fairbanks.

The Wildcats came out on Thursday night and took an early lead against the St Louis Bandits. At the 11:42 mark of the first period, the Cats would go on a powerplay and were able to take advantage of the situation. Adam Cardwell and Ville Aman would set up Zach Josepher, who would slide the puck past the Bandits goalie to get the Cats on the board first. Less than three minutes later Kyle Pidde and Drew Harcharik would get the puck to Brett Hartung who would capitalize on the play and give the Cats a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, the Bandits were able to answer back before the first frame was over and the game was tied 2-2 going into the first intermission. The second frame was a battle between goalies with eighteen shots being taken on goal. Both goalies were on top of their game though, and the stanza would end with no goals being scored by either team. The Cats would take the lead again in the third stanza at the 11:26 mark during a powerplay when Eddie Effinger would put the puck in the back of the net and give the Cats a 3-2 lead. Five minutes later, the Bandits were able to slide one past Billick and tie the game again. As the clock wound down, it looked like the teams were heading into overtime, but with 3.6 seconds left, Graham Sisson was able to give the Bandits the 4-3 victory when he snuck one past Billick to win the game.

Friday night the Cats would trail 1-0 after the Bandits were able to score with only three minutes left in the first period. The Cats caught fire as the second stanza started and scored two goals as goalkeeper Cal Heeter and the Cats defense held the Bandits scoreless. The Wildcats first goal was scored at the 8:59 mark of the second period, when Ville Aman set up Dan Decato, who would slide the puck past the Bandits goalie and tie the game 1-1. Then, with only thirty seconds left in the frame, Skylur Jameson would score a powerplay goal to give the Cats the 2-1 lead. Despite a great effort by the Wildcats through the first two periods, the St. Louis Bandits came out and showed why they are leading the NAHL South division. The Bandits scored five unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Cats 6-2.

Saturday night was the concluding battle between the Wildcats and the Bandits. Although the Cats fell short 4-1, the game was full of grit and determination by both teams. The lone goal for the Cats was scored at the 8:37 mark of the second period. Joel Sauer and Brett Morell were able to set up Sean Nealon who would score his seventh goal of the season.

The Wildcats next home games will be Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25 at 7:00 pm! Friday night is our Thanksgiving special, and you can get an upper-level ticket for only $5. Saturday night is Peba Oil & Gas Puck night and the first 500 fans through the door will receive a puck. The puck drops at 7:05 pm!



North American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2006


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