Kassian Scores Twice, Catters Hit Century Mark with 4-3 Win
March 8, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX-- For the second time in two nights the Texas Wildcatters gave up an early lead and relied on last-minute heroics as they beat the Pensacola Ice Pilots 4-3 Saturday night. Matt Kassian had two goals and Colin Nicholson scored the game winner with 1:51 remaining as the Wildcatters (46-6-3-6) become the first team in the ECHL to reach 100 standings points (101).
As was the case Friday, Kevin Baker began the scoring for Texas, taking a back end of a give-and-go from Scott Champagne and putting it past Cam Ellsworth on the long side at 1:48 of the opening period.
Kassian got his first of the night by way of a mid-air deflection of AJ Thelen's shot from the point just a minute later. Troy Riddle, Friday's star, would collect an assist on the play as well. Though the stifling Texas defense held the Ice Pilots to a meager two shots in the first period, Bryan McGregor would score on the power play at 12:54 to bring the Ice Pilots within one at the first intermission.
Pensacola would knot the score, taking advantage of a sloppy Texas second period, as Jason Bloomingburg walked in on a 2-on-1 and beat Texas goalie Jeff Pietrasiak with a wrister that trickled through Pietrasiak's five-hole at 13:19.
Kassian would reclaim the lead for the home team on a similar play, taking a pass from linemate Riley Emmerson-who dropped the gloves with Daniel Sullivan at the opening face off in the game's only fight-and charging in on the right side. Kassian would rocket a low wrist shot that beat Ellsworth on the short side and made the score 3-2.
Up a goal and enjoying a 2-to-1 shot advantage late in the game, Texas was caught unawares as Jean-Claude Sawyer corralled a rebound in front of Pietrasiak and slung it into the cage to tie the game with just 2:37 remaining.
Any hopes the cellar-dwelling Ice Pilots had of taking down the South Division juggernaut Wildcatters were dashed as Nicholson put a rebound home at 18:09 in what would prove the game-winner.
With 11 games and 22 possible standings points remaining, the Wildcatters are just 15 points shy of matching the ECHL record of 116 set by the 2001-02 Louisiana Ice Gators.
The Wildcatters look to conclude a perfect ten-game season series versus the Ice Pilots as the teams square off in the series finale at 4:05 tomorrow at Ford Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates and join the Catters on the ice for a post-game skate and autograph session.
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros! Book your group outing with the Wildcatters! Call 409.951.5500
ECHL Stories from March 8, 2008
- Lynx look for revenge at home Sunday after 8-3 loss on Saturday - Augusta Lynx
- Kassian Scores Twice, Catters Hit Century Mark with 4-3 Win - Texas Wildcatters
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- Weather knocks out MAGIC-FM for tonight's Jackals game - Elmira Jackals
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- Bombers Score Early; Fall Late to Checkers in Season Series Finale - Dayton Bombers
- Gladiators pound Lynx 8-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Late Goal Lifts Texas over Pilots 4-3 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Checkers mount comeback over Bombers, win 3-1 - Charlotte Checkers
- Cyclones Run Streak To 21 In 4-3 Win Saturday Night! - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Blades win 7th straight at home, quiet ing Sea Wolves - Florida Everblades
- Inferno burned by Stingrays 6-3 - Columbia Inferno
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- Turple Assigned to Gwinnett from AHL Grand Rapids - Atlanta Gladiators
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- Zanoski's two-goal effort leads third period comeback victory - Stockton Thunder
- Aces Within Four Of West Lead, Nip Victoria 3-2 - Alaska Aces
- Robinson and Condors beat Las Vegas in shootout, 2-1 - Bakersfield Condors
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