'Dogs bite 'Cats
Published on February 1, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
With high hopes coming off a weekend sweep of the Texas Tornado, the Wildcats hoped to continue their winning ways and end a long losing streak against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, but came up just short on both Friday and Saturday nights by a pair of 3-2 scores.
After neither team saw any offense in the opening period on Friday, the Wildcats got on the board twice early in the second on a pair of goals from Kyle Gallegos. Fairbanks would fight back though, scoring three times in a seven minute span to take a 3-2 lead. The Wildcats threw everything they could at the Fairbanks net in the third, outshooting the Ice Dogs 12-4, but couldn't get the tying goal, and went down 3-2.
Saturday's game was Military Appreciation Night. Often a hard-hitting affair, this game was no different, with the first period seeing a goal from each team and a combined 74 minutes in penalties. Chris Leone scored a minute into the game off assists from Tyler Lundey and Brian Sheehan for an early 1-0 Wildcats lead. Fairbanks would tie things up just over a minute later, making it momentarily appear it could be a high-scoring affair between the two squads. Midway through the period, tempers flared as a hit from behind sparked a five-on-five scrum that resulted in all ten skaters spending time in the penalty box, including a set of fighting majors, two pairs of double minors for roughing, and two ten minute misconducts.
The first period ended with no further scoring, but the fisticuffs continued, as Wildcats captain Adam Kuhn dropped the mitts and went toe to toe in a slugfest with Fairbanks' notorious tough guy Will Aide. Kuhn gave a salute to the military members in attendance and skated off to the locker room to a standing ovation. The fight also gives Kuhn 304 PIM as a Wildcat, the most in team history.
Fairbanks controlled most of the second period, scoring twice more and outshooting the Wildcats 13-5. Midway through the third, the Wildcats would get a goal back, as Steven Hoshaw tallied his second of the season to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Wildcats had a few chances late, but once again their late efforts to tie came up just short. The Wildcats outshot the Ice Dogs 18-5 in the final frame.
The Wildcats remain 6 points behind Texas for the final playoff spot in the South Division. They will take on the division-leading Topeka Roadrunners this weekend.
Teacher Appreciation Night
The Wildcats are saluting Wichita Falls area teachers by offering free tickets to Saturday night's game against the Topeka Roadrunners. If you are a teacher and would like to come to the game, contact the Wildcats at 940-716-5587 to get a voucher for two free tickets. Additional family members can come to the game for only $5!
Game Date and Time Change and "Never Waste a Ticket" Night
The Wildcats game against the St. Louis Bandits originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 at 7:05 pm, has been moved to Sunday, February 21 at 3 pm. Please make note of this date and time change. Tickets for Wednesday the 17th will be honored on Sunday the 21st.
Also, the next "Never Waste a Ticket" Night for season ticket holders is coming up on Friday, February 19 vs. St. Louis. Season ticket holders can trade in any unused tickets for tickets to the game on the 19th to bring along any friends and family to see a Wildcats game.
Wildcats in the Community
The Wildcats will be visiting two local schools this week as part of the Future of America Program. On Tuesday, the team will be at Kate Haynes Elementary School, and on Wednesday, they will be at Wichita Christian School.
Wildcats Alumni Update
Brett Hartung was named the Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week last week. It is the second time this season he was given the honor.
Three former Wildcats once again had good weeks for Wentworth Leopards. Shaun Jameson picked up a goal and two assists in three games, while brother Skylur Jameson had two goals and three assists. Rounding out the trio, Mike Jarboe picked up a pair of wins in net, stopping 20 of 22 shots he faced against Salve Regina last Monday, and stopping 11 of 12 against western New England College on Sunday.
Matt Kenline had the first two-point game in his college career, picking up a goal and an assist for Salem State in Thursday's game against Westfield State.
Chad Costello tallied three assists for the Corpus Christi IceRays last weekend, as they went 2-1 in games against Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, and Allen. He is third on the team with 23 assists this season.
Joel Sauer had a three-goal weekend for Augsburg in a weekend split with Hamline. He had a goal and an assist in Friday's win and two goals in Saturday's overtime loss.
Andrew Conboy picked up his fourth goal of the season for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs in a 5-0 victory over Rockford on Wednesday.
Sexton Watch
When an NHL team makes several trades all at once, often there ends up being someone who has to report to the minors, at least for a while. With the Anaheim Ducks pulling the lever on a trade of goaltender J.S. Giguere to Toronto for goaltender Vesa Toskala and forward Jason Blake, that odd man out was unfortunately Dan Sexton, who was sent to the AHL to make room on the roster for an emergency call-up of Justin Pogge to serve as the backup goalie tonight against Florida.
"Dan Sexton will be back and I told him so," Ducks' general manager Bob Murray told the Orange County Register. He heads for the minors tied for 12th among NHL rookies in scoring with 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points. Every player above him has appeared in at least 16 more games.
This past week, Sexton did continue his scoring, picking up the lone goal in the Ducks' 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. He also nearly ended up in a fight with Tampa Bay pest Steve Downie on Friday. "He kind of jabbed me," said Sexton of the altercation. "I don't know if it was the stick or the glove that hit me in the face. I kind of had good position over him to dump him over so I did. It was just a yard sale from there."
Sexton will report to the Manitoba Moose, whose next game is this Friday at home against the San Antonio Rampage.
Zach Duncan of the Times Record News wrote a piece on Sexton's NHL career for today's paper. The article can be read online at http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/feb/01/breaking-through/
North American Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2010
- Rangers Add McCusker - Marquette Rangers
- 'Dogs bite 'Cats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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.
