Cats Split in Odessa
December 5, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats split their weekend series in their first trip to Odessa against the Jackalopes. Friday was a 4-3 overtime win, while Saturday saw the 'Cats unable to hold a one-goal lead late in a 2-1 loss.
On Friday, the Wildcats went down early, but kept battling back until they won in a shootout, 4-3. The Jackalopes took advantage of two of their three first-period power play opportunities, as Sheldon Taylor and Tyler Poulsen each scored with the man advantage for a 2-0 lead, outshooting the Wildcats 13-9 in the process. The 'Cats shook off the slow start and tied the game in the second, as Patrick Yudez tallied an unassisted goal, followed by Tyler Hope scoring off a pass from Yudez on a two-on-one with under a minute to go, knotting things at 2-2.
The score held through much of the third period, until Lawrence Cornellier's rocket from the high slot gave the Jackalopes the lead once again. But with 2:05 left, the Wildcats managed to tie things once again as Brad Shumway raced in to pick up a rebound from Chris Pontello's shot from the left-side faceoff circle. Adam Wilcox added the secondary assist, his first NAHL point. The Wildcats outshot the Jackalopes 20-4 in the third period.
The Wildcats started the overtime period with a power play, but couldn't score on it, despite managing 5 shots on goal. Likewise at the other end, Odessa put four pucks on Matt Leon, but couldn't get any past him. The game progressed to a shootout that went nine rounds. Dennis Kravchenko scored as the Wildcats' second shooter, followed by Jalen Krogman evening it up as Odessa's third shooter. The shootout remained even until Chris Pontello scored for the Wildcats, followed by Matt Leon stopping Nils Semjonovs to seal the victory for the Wildcats. Leon was named first star, stopping 31/34 shots in 65 minutes and 9/10 in the shootout. Pontello was named second star with an assist and the shootout winner, and Odessa goalie Connor Hellebuyck was the third star, stopping 45/48 and 8/10 in the shootout.
Saturday's game was the opposite for the Wildcats-- a strong start, but fizzling at the end as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Jackalopes.
The Wildcats controlled the opening period nicely, outshooting Odessa 18-8 and scoring the lone goal of the period, as Zach Pochiro put one in the net with 3:37 to play in the period. The goal was assisted by Tyler Hope and Nate Chasteen.
The game remained the same for nearly another 40 minutes with the Wildcats holding the 1-0 lead, but the Jackalopes tied it with 3:56 left in the third, with Sheldon Taylor scoring his second goal of the weekend. With momentum going their way, the Jackalopes scored the game-winner with 5 seconds left in regulation, as once again Lawrence Cornellier proved to be a thorn in the Wildcats side, as his shot taken while falling got deflected on its way to the net, beating Matt Leon high stick side for what would prove to be the game-winner. Leon stopped 29 or 31 for the third star of the game. Hellebuyck's 39/40 night got him the second star, and Cornellier's game-winner got him the first.
The Wildcats head out to Kansas to take on the Topeka Roadrunners next weekend to complete their eight-game road swing.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats' had back-to-back nights of 40 or more shots on goal for the second time this season (first was November 4 and 5 vs. Corpus Christi)
Preview: Wildcats at Topeka Roadrunners December 9-10
The Wildcats are already halfway done with the Topeka Roadrunners for the season, but they'll face them again this weekend in Kansas. The Wildcats are 0-3-1 against the Roadrunners this season, with their lone point coming in an overtime loss on October 1. The Wildcats' last regular season victory against Topeka was a 7-6 OT win on November 13, 2009.
Topeka's top scorer this season is third-year veteran Ryan White. He has 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 27 games. White leads the squad in assists, while Brian Christie is the top goal scorer with 14. The Roadrunners have made a few changes in goal, bringing in Brandon Reagan and Peter Traber, while trading Eric Rohrkemper. Traber and Josh Hillegas have gotten the majority of playing time between the pipes.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at P2 The Deuce downtown on Tuesdays at 7 pm. 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.
Adult hockey and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! 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.
Alumni Report
NORTH AMERICAN PRO LEAGUES
Chad Costello continued his torrid pace for the Colorado Eagles, picking up a goal and three assists over the weekend. He has scored in 10 straight ECHL games. He's second in the league in points behind teammate Jack Combs and leads the league in assists.
Anthony Iaquinto picked up a goal in the Brooklyn Aviators' 4-2 win over the Danbury Whale on Friday's Federal Hockey League action. Picking up an assist on the goal was former NHL Draft Pick K.C. Timmons.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Kyle Delaurell put up three goals and three assists as Air Force beat American International College twice over the weekend.
Cal Heeter went above and beyond the call of duty over the weekend. Not only did he pick up two wins in goal for Ohio State, but he also had an assist in Friday's 5-2 win. Sean Duddy also had a pair of assists in those victories over Lake Superior State.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
Jason McAloon picked up two goals and an assist for Lake Forest in a pair of losses to Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Brandon Stroud had three goals and an assist for Western New England in wins over Becker and Salve Regina.
Skylur Jameson had 2 goals and 4 assists, while younger brother Shaun Jameson had four assists of his own in a pair of Wentworth victories over Nichols and Suffolk. Mike Jarboe also was in goal for both victories.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2011
- Kerr Named NAHL's First Star of the Week - Wenatchee Wild
- 'Runners Sweep 'Rays with 4-1 Win - Topeka Pilots
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Cats Split in Odessa - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Tornado Weekly - Texas Tornado
- Jr. K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Rays Report: Two Losses - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Kerr-Tain Call: Kerr, Pauly Make History - Wenatchee Wild
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
