Comeback falls short against Tornado
Published on January 17, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Two early one-goal leads were quickly swept away and a comeback attempt fell just short as the Wildcats lost a 4-3 decision on Friday to the Texas Tornado.
Jason McAloon got the Wildcats on the scoreboard with the lone goal of the first period, scoring an unassisted goal at the 5:24 mark. Texas tied things in the second on a Jackson Leef goal, but the Wildcats would regain the lead less than five minutes later as Will Suter and Mikhail Sentyurin came in on a 2-on-0 break, with Suter putting a pass to Sentyurin across the crease, which he buried for a 2-1 lead.
But the latter part of the second was all Texas, as J.D. Howard, Jack Prince, and Joseph Mottiqua all scored in a two minute span and the Tornado took a 4-2 lead through 40 minutes. Through the first two periods, Texas held a 31-11 advantage in shots on goal.
Needing to give his team a spark, captain Steven Hoshaw dropped the gloves with the resident heavyweight of the Tornado, Rodney Lalonde. Hoshaw got out-punched early, but ended the fight with a right fist that came from inches off the ice that sent Lalonde crumpled to the ice and bleeding. And spark the team it did: off the next faceoff, Daniel Hildebrandt ripped a shot past Jimmy Kruger to cut the deficit to 4-3. The Wildcats would have a couple chances late, including after pulling Tyler Green for an extra attacker, but the Tornado would hold on for the victory. Green faced 42 shots, stopping 38.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats third line of Sean Keane, Jason McAloon, and Tanner Fahlstedt was responsible for two of the three Wichita Falls goals. McAloon has goals in three of his last five games and is fifth on the team in that category.
Preview: 1/20-22 at Topeka and Amarillo
The Wildcats hit the road one more time before an extended homestand. Thursday and Friday, the Wildcats play against the Topeka Roadrunners up in Kansas. The Wildcats are 0-2-0 against them this season, losing twice back in October, ending their season-starting streak of nine games without a regulation loss. The Roadrunners are expected to be without captain, leading scorer, and former Wildcat Michael Hill for the first game of the series, as he finishes serving a suspension. The Roadrunners are 8-0 without him in the lineup, including winning six games under his current suspension.
Wichita Falls is 2-4-0 against Amarillo this season, going 1-3-0 at the Cal Farley Coliseum. However, the Wildcats have had a lead in three of the four losses, proving that they can play well against the Bulls.
Cal Heeter nominated for Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is the top prize in college hockey, comparable to the Heisman Trophy in football. This year, 67 players were nominated for the award, including former Wildcats' goalie Cal Heeter, now a junior with Ohio State. A total of seven former NAHL South Division players were nominated for the award.
You can vote for Cal to win the award at http://www.hobeybakeraward.com . Vote as many times as you like, but only once every 24 hours.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show continues this week at the Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Boulevard! Come down and hear Drew and the coaches talk about this past week's game in Texas, and see what's in store for this coming weekend against Topeka and Amarillo. Plus you'll get to hear from one of your favorite players in the "Talk to the Team" segment. It all happens Tuesday at 7:30; if you can't be there tune in on 94.9 KOLI, The Outlaw.
Broomball, adult hockey, and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! Any questions about our ice programs Contact Brandon Miller in the Wildcats office, 940-716-5587.
Alumni Report
Wait, is that Sexton, or Samsonite Dan Sexton has done a bit of traveling this season. At one point in November he was sent to the AHL's team in Syracuse after a game in Anaheim. He flew there after the game and arrived at 3 a.m., practiced at 9 a.m., was promoted back to Anaheim after that practice at noon, and immediately jumped on a plane back to his NHL team. But things could be a lot worse, he told Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register. Read Jeff's article here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sexton-283337-says-life.html
Jack Wolgemuth picked up two more assists as the SPHL's Mississippi Surge went 3-0 last week and moved into first place. Wolgemuth's 17 assists tie him for fourth in the league among defensemen.
Three goals, three assists: that was Chad Costello's stat line last weekend in two games. Friday saw the Tulsa Oilers getting a 9-3 win over Arizona and Saturday a 7-3 win over Bossier-Shreveport. On Friday, Chad scored two and added three assists, then tallied the first goal of the game on Saturday. He is second in the CHL in goals, third in points, and fourth in assists.
Cal Heeter was named the USCHO's first star of the week on Wednesday for his efforts last weekend against Miami. Heeter led the Buckeyes to two victories including a shutout.
While on the topic of Buckeyes, Jeff McNeil scored his first NCAA goal, tying the game at 2-2 against Western Michigan on Saturday. The Buckeyes would go on to win in a shootout.
Chris Nutini and Luke Salazar each picked up points over the weekend for Denver, as they went 1-0-1 against Minnesota State. Nutini had two assists and Salazar a goal.
Joel Sauer leads Augsburg in all offensive categories with 9 goals and 10 assists. He scored twice this past weekend in a pair of losses.
Nick Hopper is back in net for Wisconsin-Stout after missing the first half of the season. He picked up wins in his first two appearances back on Friday, January 7 and Monday, January 10. He is 2-1-0 so far this season in four games.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2011
- Newest Star Albrecht Headed Home - Traverse City North Stars
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Fighting Falcons Add Matt Warren as Assistant Coach - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Comeback falls short against Tornado - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Metal Jackets Split Weekend With Janesville - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Hitmen Split With Rage - Chicago Hitmen
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