Catters "Drive 55", Speed Past Sea Wolves 4-1 in Game 1
April 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX-The Texas Wildcatters blasted 55 shots and Brandon Benedict scored twice and added an assist as the Catters sped past the Mississippi Sea Wolves 4-1 in Game 1 of the South Division Quarterfinals Wednesday night at Ford Arena.
Despite a 22-4 shot disparity in the first period, the Wildcatters found themselves down 1-0 after Jason Beeman slung home a rebound from the mid-slot midway through the frame to put the Sea Wolves on top.
Looking a 1-0 first intermission deficit in the face, Benedict rang home a rebound at 19:18 to knot the score and throw momentum to the home team. Kevin Baker and Cleve Kinley assisted on the play, the first of three on the night for Kinley.
A beautiful power play goal less than three minutes into the second period would put the Catters on top and prove the game-winner. Excellent puck movement in the offensive zone culminated with a bam-bam play from Kinley to Max Taylor and eventually to Benedict off the back post who sent the puck to the back of the net to make the score 2-1.
The third goal of the night came to Jordie Preston, who picked up the puck in the offensive zone after a delayed penalty was called on the Sea Wolves. Preston snuck past one defenseman and beat goalie Ryan Munce on the near post to give Texas some insurance with two minutes left in the frame.
The Catters resumed their offensive barrage in the third period, firing 20 shots on Munce. The lone goal would come without the keeper in net, however, as Baker put a shot from center ice into the back of the empty net with 16 ticks remaining to secure the win for Texas and give them to a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-five series.
Anton Khudobin proved to be in the same fine form he was during the regular season, making 24 saves-including seven stops during a late a 5-on-3 Mississippi power play-and shining with the glove to improve to 8-0-0-0 versus the Sea Wolves during the regular season and playoffs.
The puck drops at Ford Arena for Game 2 tomorrow at 7:05 before heading to Biloxi for Game 3 Saturday and Game 4 Sunday (if necessary).
Don't miss exciting playoff action at Ford Arena! Playoff packages and single-game tickets for the DQF round are now available at the Wildcatters Front Office, the Ford Park Box Office, and Ticketmaster. Join the Wildcatters as they begin the charge to the championship, call (409) 951-5500!
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of NHL's Minnesota Wild and the Houston Aeros of the AHL.
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