Catters Break Record But Fall 4-3 In Extra Frame

Published on January 12, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX-The Texas Wildcatters (26-2-2-4) kept their date with history but lost in 4-3 in overtime to the South Carolina Stingrays Friday night at Ford Arena. The overtime loss extends the Texas unbeaten-in-regulation streak to 22 games, the longest in the 20-year history of the ECHL, breaking previous record of 21 games set by Richmond in 1995.

The Wildcatters, 17-0-6 in their last 22, got off to a sluggish start and trailed 1-0 following a sharp Travis Morin snap shot that beat Texas goalie Anton Khudobin at 9:39 of the first period.

Khudobin, unbeaten in regulation this season, would have a rare shaky outing as the Stingrays would go up 2-0 as Chris Chaput beat Khudobin on the power play 2:10 into the second frame.

Danny Welch would provide the Wildcatters with a boost and bring the score to 2-1 with a breakaway goal at 4:08 of the stanza. Within two minutes, though, South Carolina would regain a two-goal lead as MacLean put a rebound behind Khudobin. Having allowed three goals on just 15 shots, coach Malcolm Cameron would head to the bullpen and call on goalie Jeff Pietraziak, the newest Wildcatter signed early Friday morning.

The change in goal would provide the Wildcatters with new momentum as they found the back of the net two more times in the middle frame. Jordie Preston would take the puck deep and teammate Marc Fulton would trail the play just enough to slam home a puck that shot free into the mid-slot with a sniper-like snap shot high on the glove side. Moises Gutierrez would also gather an assist on the play.

Brandon Benedict would tie the game 3-3 with his eleventh goal of the season and extend his points streak to ten games. Captain John McNabb and Cleve Kinley gathered helpers on the goal.

Entering the third period with all the momentum a team could hope for, the Wildcatters were unable to break through, firing 17 shots to South Carolina's five. The more than 2,000 in attendance would rise to congratulate the Catters with a standing ovation as the game went into overtime.

Though dominant for much of the overtime period, Trent Campbell would sneak free to gather a puck at center ice and head in on a two-on-one with teammate Scott Romfo. Played well defensively by the Wildcatters defender, Campbell would get an off-balance shot off from the slot that would miraculously sneak above Pietrasiak's bocker and seal the game for the Stingrays.

Pietrasiak would finish with nine saves for Texas and South Carolina's Josh Johnson, stellar all evening, would finish with 37 stops.

The Stingrays would finish one-for five on the power play while the Catters capitalized just once in seven chances.

The Catters continue the series against the Stingrays tomorrow night at 7:05 with FivePoint Credit Union Night! The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive thunderstix courtesy of FivePoint Credit Union.

The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Houston Aeros and the NHL's Minnesota Wild. Book your group with the Wildcatters by calling 409.951.5500!

The ECHL 'The Premier "AA" Hockey League' is celebrating it's twentieth anniversary in 2007-08.

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ECHL Stories from January 12, 2008


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