Kraemer takes weekly honors

Published on December 17, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


The Wichita Falls Wildcats came into the week riding a four game slide, but right wing Kyle Kraemer helped them turn things around and in the process, earned Sher-Wood NAHL Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 12 of the season. On Friday night, with Wichita Falls trailing 3-0 to Santa Fe, Kraemer scored the Wildcats' first goal, then added another plus an assist. The ‘Cats still lost the game 4-3, but the gained some valuable and much needed momentum. The next night, in Texarkana, his goal early in the third period broke a 2-2 tie. When the game went to overtime, after the Wildcats surrendered a tying goal with one minute and three seconds left in regulation, it was the St. Charles, Missouri native who potted the game-winner at 4:39 of the extra session. Returning home on Sunday, after breaking their five game losing streak, the ‘Cats finished the job they started on the Roadrunners late in Friday's game with a 6-2 win. Kraemer's third period goal put the final nail in Santa Fe's coffin on this afternoon in Wichita Falls and gave him six points in three games.

Honorable mention: Nick Kosinski, Cleveland, with four goals and an assist in two wins over first place Youngstown.

Other nominees: Alex Arnason, Santa Fe; Brandon Marino, Helena; Mike McMillan, Bozeman; Karl Sellan, Texas; Nick Sellers, Soo; Brett Sobolik, Bismarck.

WILDCATS BACK ON TRACK WITH CONSECUTIVE WINS

The Wildcats played three games over the weekend posting a 2-1 record. The 'Cats won their last two games and are really coming together as a team heading into the middle of the season.

While the Wildcats had been on a recent skid, wins over two very good teams in the division -- Texarkana and Santa Fe -- show that the future is still bright. With more than half the season remaining the Wildcats still have an opportunity to contend in their division.

Facing Santa Fe first on Friday, the Wildcats looked lost at the beginning of the game and quickly found themselves down 2-0. The 'Cats gave up two goals within the first two minutes of the game. The Roadrunners added a third goal before the first period was over, making the score 3-0 after one period of play. The Wildcats made a goalie switch after the third goal, putting Tom Billick into the game. Billick allowed only one goal in the next two periods, but his efforts were not rewarded as the Wildcats lost the game 4-3. Kyle Kraemer scored two goals and added one assist for the Wildcats. Kevin Huck scored a goal and added an assist, while Brent Sarcone also added two assists. Nick Ghidina and Niklas Flodin each finished with one assist in the game.

Saturday night, the Wildcats hit the road to play the second place Texarkana Bandits. The Wildcats played hard and focused as they beat the Bandits 5-4 in overtime. The teams started the third period tied 2-2. Niklas Flodin had scored the first two goals for the Wildcats. He was assisted by Nick Ghidina on his first goal and Chad Costello on his second. The 'Cats scored two in a row to start the third period, taking a 4-2 lead. Kyle Kraemer scored first with Brent Sarcone and Jack Wolgemuth assisting. Derek Hansberry scored the fourth goal with Jack Wolgemuth and Chris Ochoa assisting. Texarkana matched the Wildcats two goals with a pair of their own later in the third, the fourth with only 1:03 left on the clock.

The game then went into overtime where Kraemer scored the game winning goal with an assist by Brent Sarcone. It was Kraemer's second goal of the game.

The 5-4 OT victory sparked the Wildcats and they carried the momentum into Sunday's rematch back home against the Roadrunners. After losing at home to the Roadrunners on Friday, the Wildcats wanted to give their fans something to cheer about. The Wildcats came out ready to play and scored the first two goals of the game. Santa Fe quickly answered with a pair of their own to tie the score at 2-2 in the second period.

Unfortunately for the Roadrunners, these would be their only two goals. The Wildcats scored the next four goals as they blew past the Roadrunners 6-2 in a complete team performance. The 'Cats had six different players score goals in the victory. Niklas Flodin, Nick Klaren, Chad Costello, Derek Hansberry, Skylur Jameson, and Kyle Kraemer each scored a goal for the Wildcats. Flodin and Costello each added an assist on the day. Dave Lewandowski and Kevin Huck notched two assists each, while Jack Wolgemuth, Jarrett Runey, Chris Ochoa, and Brent Sarcone each tallied one assist.

Tom Billick was in goal for the Wildcats in the win, stopping 28 of the Roadrunners 30 shots.

These two wins helped the Wildcats get back on the winning track. "We feel very fortunate that we took four points from two of the top teams in the NAHL," assistant coach Mike Perkins said. "Both teams have had great successes here and for us to get back on the winning track against these two teams is the spark that we needed."

With two straight wins the Wildcats carry some momentum into this weekend when they will play at the Texas Tornado on Friday and at the Santa Fe Roadrunners on Saturday and Sunday.

The 'Cats next home game is Thursday, December 30, at 7:00 p.m. against the Springfield Spirit.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2004


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