
McNabb nets hat trick as Catters finish Checkers, home schedule with 4-3 SH
March 29, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX- John McNabb registered the second hat trick by a Wildcatter in as many nights, scoring three times in regulation and once in the shootout as the Wildcatters downed the Charlotte Checkers 4-3 in front of 4,270 in their regular season home finale Saturday at Ford Arena.
McNabb set the Wildcatters to a 2-0 first-period lead, scoring first on the power play at 4:52 and again with an even-strength goal two minutes later to bring his total to 31 on the season.
The Catters would hold the lead until 4:11 of the second period when Blake Bellefeuille snuck a rebound past Kris Tebbs. Charlotte would knot the score less than a minute later as a Kenton Smith goal made the score 2-2.
McNabb's third goal of the night would give the Catters the lead again at 9:41 of the second period. Assists on the tally were given to Cleve Kinley and Dan Welch.
Charlotte would tie the game 40 seconds before intermission with a shot from the point that made its way through traffic and into the cage.
A hard-fought, physical third period would nonetheless end scoreless. Tebbs and Checkers goalie Chris Holt would each make several key saves in the third period and overtime.
The Wildcatters got a goal from McNabb in an exciting shootout flush with struck goalposts and shots coming to rest on top of the goal line, but Charlotte's Toy Pyatt scored in the fourth round to force a sudden death round.
Colin Nicholson would set the Catters ahead, finding a puck-sized gap in Holt's five-hole in the sixth round. Tebbs would turn away Michael Busto to secure the victory and ignite the large crowd still in attendance to watch the conclusion of the Texas home regular season.
With the win and Cincinnati's (52-11-1-4 = 109 pts) 6-3 loss to Johnstown, the Catters guarantee they will be the new record holder for fewest regulation losses in a season previously held by 1995-96 Richmond (11). Texas (52-7-4-7 = 115 pts) creeps one win away from setting a new ECHL record for points in a season (116), held by 2001-02 Louisiana.
Texas will need to secure three points in their final two regular season games this weekend in Florida to lock up the Brabham Cup from Cincinnati.
The Wildcatters return to Ford Arena for the first two games of the Kelly Cup South Division Quarterfinals versus the Mississippi Sea Wolves Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday April 10. Game time each night is 7:05.
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the AHL's Houston Aeros! Kelly Cup playoff packages are now available, call the Wildcatters at (409) 951-5500 to secure your seat as the Catters go deep!
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