'Cats Conclude Home-Stand against Topeka, Host Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday
February 13, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats look to conclude a nine-game home-stand on a high note when they face the Topeka Roadrunners this weekend, with ticket specials on offer for both nights. Friday, fans can take advantage of 2 for $20 tickets, in addition to the new Family Four-Pack, offering four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for only $40. Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night, with free admission for everyone and Coca-Cola Rally Towels for the first 250 fans in attendance.
Last Time Out After a week off, Wichita Falls enters this weekend primed for a pivotal series against Topeka that could turn out to be a playoff preview. In their last time out, the Wildcats earned a 7-5 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes to close out a tough stretch of three games in four days. Wichita Falls had to stave off a comeback bid by Odessa in that contest, as the Jacks erased a 5-2 deficit, before Josh Haverstrom potted the eventual game-winning goal late in the third period. Rudy Junda, Kyle Bauman and Will Vosejpka each had three points on the night to cap off stellar individual weeks. The Wildcats are in fourth place in the NAHL South Division, with 49 points in 43 games, and trail Topeka by 10 points in the race for home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
The Matchup Friday's contest marks the third of eight regular-season meetings between Wichita Falls and Topeka this season. When the two teams squared off on Jan. 3 and 4, the results did not fall the Wildcats way, as the Roadrunners claimed a weekend sweep by scores of 2-0 and 2-1, respectively. Jake Kamrass was the weekend's big performer, posting a goal and an assist over the two games, while Ben Kucera scored the lone Wildcats goal on the weekend. PJ Bridges started both games in net for Topeka that weekend, and made 53 saves on 54 shots over the two contests. Historically, Wichita Falls has struggled against Topeka, posting a 25-56-10 regular-season record against the Roadrunners dating back to the 2004-05 season when the franchise was located in Santa Fe, NM.
Roadrunner Recon The Roadrunners come into this weekend following a sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays last week, and currently sit in second place in the division standings with 59 points in 44 games played. In their last time out, the 'Runners overcame a three-goal, third-period deficit to claim a 7-6 overtime win. Topeka has been one of the league's hottest teams of late, with an 8-1-1 mark in the last 10 games, and only one regulation loss in the last 14 tilts. The Roadrunners are led on offense by Tyler Poulsen (22-21--43) and Jake Kamrass (17-24--41), who are both riding 10-game point-streaks. Poulsen has seven goals and 11 assists in that stretch, while Kamrass has eight goals and eight assists over that same span. PJ Bridges has started the majority of games in net since his arrival in late October; he is 16-3-2 in 23 games played, with a 1.44 goals against average, .943 save percentage and seven shutouts.
Scoring at Will Forward Will Vosejpka has been an offensive catalyst for the Wildcats of late. The second-year skater either scored or assisted on half of the Wildcats' 16 goals scored between Jan. 29 and Feb. 1, ending the week with four goals and four assists. For his efforts, Vosejpka was named the South Division Star of the Week for the week ending Feb. 2, his second such award of the season. The veteran is currently riding a season-high four-game point-streak, with a 5-4--9 line in those contests.
Rudy on a Roll Rudy Junda has been on quite the tear lately. After going twenty games without a goal, Junda has five tallies in his last five outings dating back to Jan. 24 against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. That stretch includes multi-goal performances against Lone Star (Jan. 29) and Odessa (Feb. 1), the third and fourth multi-goal games of Junda's career, respectively. The veteran forward enters the weekend on a season- and career-best three-game point-streak, during which he has compiled seven points on four goals and three assists.
Bauman Banking Points Not to be outdone by Rudy Junda and Will Vosejpka, Kyle Bauman has also been on a roll offensively. The Florida-native is currently on a four-game point-streak, posting four goals and four assists in those tilts. More impressively, Bauman has recorded a goal and two assists in each of his last two games, marking the first time in his career he has recorded three points in consecutive games. The forward has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) over his last 13 games, and has only been held scoreless three times in that span.
On the Road Again After concluding their nine-game home-stand this weekend, the Wildcats will hit the road for a difficult run of away contests. Wichita Falls will play eight-straight contests away from the Kay Yeager Coliseum beginning with a road tilt against Odessa on Feb. 21, marking the longest stretch of consecutive road games this season. Included in that span is a demanding stretch of four games in five days that will see the Wildcats travel to Lone Star on March 7 and 8, before visiting the Roadrunners for a midweek set on March 10 and 11.
Broadcast Information Fans may follow the weekend's action in a variety of ways. Video streaming is available on FASTHockey.com, with an audio-only broadcast available by visiting our Ustream channel. Fans can also follow along on Twitter (@WFWildcats) for score updates throughout the contest.
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