IceRays strike back, take two games
Published on January 30, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Despite the success the Wildcats have had against the IceRays, their troubles on the road were paramount this past weekend, as they dropped two games in Corpus Christi, 5-2 on Thursday and 4-3 in overtime on Friday.
Things looked to start strongly on Thursday for the Wildcats as Patrick Yudez tapped home a rebound off Tyler Hope's shot for an early 1-0 lead. But for 25 minutes, the Wildcats sputtered, not getting any additional offense, while Corpus Christi put up five unanswered goals. Perry D'Arrisso won a race to a loose puck and slid it in for a 1-1 game. In the second period, Beau Walker, A.J. Jarosz, Joe Smereck, and Eric Purcell all scored for the IceRays to put the game out of reach for the Wildcats. Tanner Fahlstedt got a goal back early in the third, redirecting Nate Myeroff's shot in an effort to start a comeback, but the three-goal deficit was as close as the Wildcats could get.
The IceRays' momentum seemed to carry over into Friday night as well, with Brandon Smith and Eric Purcell tallying first period goals for a 2-0 Corpus Christi lead. The Wildcats looked like they had gotten one back as Chris Pontello walked in along the goal line and around Corpus Christi netminder Anthony Stolarz, slipping the puck in the net, but the goal was called off as the referee stated that he was in the crease before the puck. Adding insult to injury, the IceRays extended their lead out to 3-0 with a puck bouncing off a defenseman's skate and into the net.
But the Wildcats proved that no lead is safe, as Patrick Yudez struck again to break up the shutout 15 seconds into the third, followed just over a minute later by Tyler Bruneteau jamming a puck home on a goal-mouth scramble for a 3-2 game. The Wildcats outshot the IceRays 20-5 in the third period, and tied the game on a 3-on-2 rush, culminating in Zach Pochiro ripping a wrister glove side on Stolarz with 8:25 to go.
The 'Cats kept pressing in the third, and even had a successful two-man penalty kill for 1:35. The game went to overtime where IceRays' captain Frank Misuraca scored the game-winner, coming off the left wing boards with the puck and ripping off a shot from the top of the circles past Jojo Jeanetta. Jeanetta stopped 32 of 36 shots in the game.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats currently trail Corpus Christi by eleven points for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Wildcats are an above-.500 team at home (9-8-1), but have struggled on the road with a 5-16-3 record. Five NAHL teams have clinched playoff spots: Bismarck, Alexandria, Aberdeen, and Austin are in out of the Central Division, eliminating Minot from playoff contention in their first year in the league. Janesville has clinched a spot in the Midwest Division. Goalie fights are far from common, but last night in Amarillo, the Odessa Jackalopes' Justin Davis and the Bulls' Mike Taffe had a third period scuffle. Both received fighting majors and game misconducts.
Preview: Wildcats vs. Texas Tornado, February 2-4
The Wildcats will play a rare three-game weekend series against the Texas Tornado Thursday through Saturday. Thursday and Friday will be down in Frisco, while Saturday's game is at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Chris Pontello has averaged a point per game for the Wildcats against the Tornado this season. He had a hat trick back on December 16 to account for three of his four goals. Renato Engler also has four points in four games.
Only one of the teams' five games against each other has been decided by more than a goal. The Wildcats won that one, 7-3 on December 16. Each team has won one overtime game.
C.J. Reuschlein has been a Wildcat killer this year, scoring one goal in each game the teams have played against each other this season. One of his goals was a game winner, and two tied games to force overtime.
Former Wildcats Drew Allen and Taylor Herndon are back in the lineup for the Tornado after missing time injured. Another former Wildcat, defenseman Jake Strzalkowski, was traded to Wenatchee last week.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
Win a Wildcats' blanket! We're giving a few away, so text WFWildcats1 to 72727 for your chance to win!
Saturday night is Emergency Responders Night! Any members of local police and fire departments, as well as EMS workers can get a free ticket to the game. We'll also have some on-ice festivities pitting the responders against each other at the first intermission! Call Jennifer at 940-716-5587 for details.
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
AHL
Dan Sexton only has six goals this year, but he's surpassed his previous seasons' totals with 20 assists, third-best on the Crunch.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Zach Trotman had a goal and an assist on Saturday as Lake Superior State tied Ohio State 4-4.
Luke Salazar had a big weekend, putting up a goal and five assists as Denver swept Alaska-Anchorage 4-2 and 6-3.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
Matt Kenline had two goals and an assist in Salem State's victories over Framingham State and Worcester State.
Erick Cinotti picked up the shutout as Castleton beat St. Anselm 7-0 on Friday. Ryan Frost also had an assist.
Adam Cardwell tallied a goal and an assist in Wisconsin-River Falls' 4-3 win over St. Norbert on Friday.
Chris Rial scored the tying goal in St. Norbert's comeback 5-4 win over Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday.
Kyle Gallegos had two goals for Tufts on the weekend, including the overtime game-winner over Williams on Friday.
Skylur Jameson had a goal and an assist for Wentworth in a 4-1 win over Western New England. Shaun Jameson also scored the go-ahead third period goal.
ACHA CLUB HOCKEY
Cory Netrefa has helped backstop DePaul's club team to an 18-0-2 record.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2012
- Olivieri's Forward Turn Earns Weekly Honor - Bismarck Bobcats
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Janesville Jets Clinch Playoff Spot - Janesville Jets
- Rays Report: IceRays Take Two of Three Games - Corpus Christi IceRays
- IceRays strike back, take two games - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- O'Leary Powers 'Runners to 5-1 Win - Topeka Pilots
- 'Runners Shake off Rough Start in 3-2 Win - Topeka Pilots
- Amarillo Bulls Beat Odessa 7-2 on Sonic Sunday - Amarillo Bulls
- Odessa Outdueled In Wild Affair, 7-2 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bobcats Grind Blizzard's Win Streak to Halt - Bismarck Bobcats
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.
