'Cats pick up a victory in weekend series
Published on October 22, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
In an early season with a young team, improvement is at least as important as winning, and the Wildcats did just that on the weekend. They lost Friday 7-3 and Saturday 4-1 at home before coming back and taking a big 3-2 overtime game on Sunday in Frisco.
The Wildcats controlled a good half of Friday's game, outscoring the Tornado from the middle of the first to late in the second. But it was the areas outside that span that the Tornado dominated en route to a 7-3 victory, including four unanswered goals in the final 25 minutes.
Jason Eddy and Leo Lumm put the Tornado up 2-0 in the opening ten minutes, leaving fans fearing a repeat of the previous two Fridays' losses. But the Wildcats got themselves back into the game as Chris Knudson's blast from the point pinballed off a Tornado defender and into the net for a 2-1 game. Just two minutes into the second, Rudy Junda tied the game off a misplayed puck by Tornado goalie Hunter Leisner, chipping it into the top of the net unasssited. However, typical of the Tornado, they struck back quickly and Justin Greenberg scored a powerplay goal for a 3-2 lead. Just five minutes later, Ryan Dau tied things at three off a Corey Schafer assist and things were looking good for the Wildcats.
But that's where the offense would end, as the Tornado gained the lead with 3:13 left in the second, and extended it to a two-goal lead a minute later as a shot bounced off a leg and caught Cooper Cook sliding toward the right post as it just rolled past him into the left corner of the goal. A second defensive miscue led to another Tornado goal five minutes into the third, and they added one final insurance marker late in the third for a 7-3 final.
While Saturday's score was similar, the Wildcats looked much improved on the back end in a 4-1 loss. Just like the previous night, the scoring came early with the Tornado jumping out in front with a Cameron Brown goal three minutes in. But the Wildcats responded quickly with Sami Salminen putting in his second goal of the season for a 1-1 game. Midway through the period, Leo Lumm struck again to give the Tornado a 2-1 lead.
The one goal lead stayed through the next 37 minutes as Evan Cowley and Hunter Leisner stopped everything thrown their way before Nick Neville of the Tornado connected with Michael Hoy for a 3-1 game. The Tornado added a late empty-net, shorthanded goal for a 4-1 final.
The Wildcats capped off the weekend with an overtime thriller on Sunday, taking a 3-2 decision down in the Tornado's home arena. Colin Staub had a pair of goals, while Evan Cowley turned aside 36 shots, including the first 32 he faced.
Unlike the previous two nights, the Wildcats kept the Tornado off the board early and scored the first goal themselves late in the first as Will Vosejpka fed the puck from behind the net out to Staub in front, roofing it for a 1-0 lead. The lead held all the way until the middle of the third period as Brandon Hawkins scored a powerplay goal to even things at a goal apiece. Cowley was slow to get up afterward, as Hawkins ended up on top of him after the goal. Trainers checked Cowley out and he stayed in the game. The Wildcats were without a backup goalie for half of the game as Cooper Cook was ejected in the second period for his involvement in a fight at the Wildcats' bench.
The Tornado took advantage of Cowley's injury, taking the lead 12 seconds later as Lumm extended his goal scoring streak to three games, deflecting a Mitchell McPherson shot into the net. But Cowley held on strong over the final 13 minutes and overtime, while the Wildcats' defense limited the Tornado to only four shots on goal in that time.
George Pagonis picked up his first goal of the season during a mid-period penalty kill, going high on Tornado netminder Jerry Kaukinen on an unassisted breakaway for a 2-2 game with seven minutes to go. The Wildcats managed only two shots on goal in the third but certainly made them count. It was the second shorthanded goal of the season for the Wildcat penalty killers.
In overtime, the Wildcats again took advantage of a breakaway as Colin Staub slipped his second of the game past Kaukinen, delivering a 3-2 win for the Wildcats. Cowley was named the game's first star, coming up with 36 saves, including stopping 3 of 4 after it looked like he would have to be removed from the game with an injury.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats wore special pink and white jerseys on Friday and Saturday which were auctioned off to benefit the Susan G. Komen Fund... The 'Cats went 0 for 10 on the powerplay on the weekend... The penalty kill was only 5 for 8, but did tally their Sunday shorthanded goal... A total of three players were ejected in the second period fight on Sunday: Texas' Cameron Brown picked up a triple major (fighting, fighting, facemasking) and a trio of game misconducts; Eliot Grauer was assessed a double major (fighting, facemasking) and two game misconducts and Cooper Cook was given a major (fighting) and game misconduct... Grauer's 30 PIM are the fifth most in team history in a single game... Sunday's OT win was the first OT win for the Wildcats not to go to a shootout since January.
Preview: Wildcats at Kenai River, October 26-27
The Wildcats travel to Alaska for the first time since 2010 as they take on the Kenai River Brown Bears this weekend. Please note that coverage will only be available on FastHockey with Kenai River's broadcasters, as broadcaster Drew Pelto will not be making the trip.
The Brown Bears are currently third in the NAHL's West Division with a 6-5-3 record. The teams only have had one opponent in common this year, the Janesville Jets. The Wildcats beat the Jets 3-1 in Minnesota, while the Brown Bears faced them twice in Janesville, winning once in a shootout and losing once in a shootout.
Matt Seidel leads the Brown Bears in scoring with 18 points off seven goals and 11 assists, both also best on the team. Gustaf Johansson has gotten most of the playing time in goal, going 5-2-2 with a 2.29 GAA and .916 save percentage.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
We'll be back on the air in November! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at our new show host, El Mejicano on Wednesdays at 7 pm, starting again on November 7. 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. All in attendance wearing a Wildcats' jersey will get 20% off!
Get out on the ice! We have open skating every Sunday in October and November from 3-5 pm. It's $8 including skate rental, or $6 if you bring your own skates. 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.
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And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @WFWildcats!
Alumni Report
Kyle Kraemer had a pair of assists in Ontario's 4-2 win over Gwinnett on Friday in the ECHL.
Chad Costello put up a goal and five assists as the Colorado Eagles lost a trio of games to the Idaho Steelheads.
Brett Hartung tallied a shorthanded goal in Bentley's 7-1 win over Sacred Heart on Tuesday.
Brian Sheehan had a goal and an assist for Sacred Heart in a 4-4 tie against Army on Saturday.
P.J. Musico moves to 2-0 on the season, getting the win on Saturday as Penn State beat RIT 3-2. He stopped 40 of 42 shots, including 19 of 20 in the third.
Ricky Doriott had a pair of assists and Nick Hopper stopped 25 of 28 shots as Wisconsin-Stout tied Marian on Saturday, getting the season underway in NCAA Division III action.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2012
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- 'Cats pick up a victory in weekend series - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Aberdeen Wings Weekly - Aberdeen Wings
- Tornado Midget Teams Wrap up Second PHL Event - Texas Tornado
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