'Cats split in New Mexico
January 9, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats picked up a split over the weekend with the New Mexico Mustangs, taking a 6-3 win Friday before losing 3-1 Saturday. Friday's game saw the Wildcats get their second comeback from a three goal deficit to win this season.
Things looked bad after 30 minutes on Friday, as the New Mexico Mustangs jumped out to a 3-0 lead off goals by Jarret Stark, Bill Kent, and Evan Johnston. But the Wildcats' power play came alive when given an opportunity, as the 'Cats put up 6 goals in a 22:15 span.
Tanner Fahlstedt was the offensive star of the night, and got the Wildcats on the board late in the third with a power play goal, assisted by Brad Shumway and Renato Engler for a 3-1 game. In the third, the powerplay struck again, this time with Zach Pochiro scoring from Tucker Poolman and Luke Sandler to cut the deficit to a goal.
The Wildcats tied things with their lone even-strength goal nine minutes into the period. Tanner Fahlstedt took an outlet pass in his own end and marched down the ice, swerving through three defenders upon entering the New Mexico zone and tucked the puck through Jake Stafford's five-hole for a highlight-reel game tying goal.
The powerplay storm kept on rolling as Brennen Parker gave the Wildcats a lead with 4:11 to go, blasting home a cross-ice pass from Sergei Soloviev. 39 seconds later on yet another powerplay, Patrick Yudez got in on the action, tapping home a loose puck in front. With the New Mexico net empty late, Fahlstedt completed the hat trick on the empty net, with Renato Engler and Tyler Hope picking up assists. Both Engler and Brad Shumway had three assists un addition to Fahlstedt's three goals.
Saturday night featured a much quieter game with the Mustangs picking up a 3-1 win. Jayson Angus scored late in the first for an early New Mexico lead, but George Pagonis scored his first NAHL goal in his second game as a Wildcat to tie things up just 39 seconds into the second period.
The scoreboard remained even until 6:00 left in the game when Angus struck again on a two-on-one to give the Mustangs the lead. Tate Rusk added a shorthanded empty-net goal with 12 seconds left to ice the game for the Mustangs.
Jojo Jeanetta was in net for both games, stopping 37/40 on Friday and 32/34 Saturday.
The teams will play a home-and-home series this Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday's game being in Wichita Falls at 7:05 pm. Sunday's game will be an afternoon affair at 1 pm (2 central) in New Mexico.
WEEKEND NOTES: Pagonis was acquired from the Missoula Maulers of the America West Hockey League (AWHL). The Wildcats' 4 power play goals on Friday were their best single-game output of the season.
Preview: Wildcats vs. Texas, January 13; New Mexico, January 14-15
The 'Cats get a strenuous week of travel this week, playing in Frisco, TX on Friday night, at home on Saturday night, then out in New Mexico on Sunday afternoon.
Chris Pontello has been the Wildcats' leader against Texas this year, with a hat trick in a 7-3 win back in December. He has four goals and an assist against them. Renato Engler also has three assists against the Tornado, leading the team in that category.
Meanwhile against New Mexico, Brad Shumway leads the team with six points (all assists), while Tanner Fahlstedt's hat trick Friday gives him four goals and an assist against the Mustangs this season.
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Alumni Report
NORTH AMERICAN PRO LEAGUES
Kyle Kraemer is on a four-game scoring streak, with a goal and five assists since New Year's Eve. His Ontario Reign are on a six-game winning streak in ECHL play.
Chad Costello was named the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month, finishing December with a +19. Costello still leads the ECHL in scoring with 48 points, even while being up with Springfield of the AHL.
Adam Kuhn tallied two-thirds of a Gordie Howe Hat Trick on Friday night. He scored Pensacola's first goal in a 5-1 win over Huntsville, then off the ensuing faceoff, dropped the gloves with Havoc tough guy Brad Flynn. He currently leads the circuit with 14 fights, while also tallying 5 goals and 3 assists in 24 games.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Kyle Delaurell had 2 goals and 2 assists for Air Force in two games against Holy Cross this past weekend.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
Ryan Frost had two goals for Castleton in a 9-1 win over Potsdam on Saturday.
Skylur Jameson had a natural hat trick for Wentworth in a 5-2 win over Plymouth State on Saturday.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2012
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- McBride Jumps to Top of Jets Scoring List - Janesville Jets
- 'Cats split in New Mexico - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Tornado Weekly - Texas Tornado
- Rays Report: IceRays Beat Texas, Amarillo - Corpus Christi IceRays
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