Middle period nightmare in 4-1 loss
October 1, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
A solid start briefly quieted the opening night crowd in Frisco, but the Wildcats had little else to celebrate in a 4-1 loss to the Texas Tornado on Saturday. The 'Cats got outshot 24-17 overall, only the second time in seven games they were on the short end of the shot total.
The Wildcats got their lone goal less than four minutes into the game. Rudy Junda 's low shot from the left wing hit the far post and was tapped in by Will Vosejpka for a 1-0 lead. Erik Ouellette picked up the second assist. The Wildcats held a 4-2 shot advantage at that point, but after that it was all Tornado as they outshot the Wildcats 9-4 the remainder of the period, picking up a power play goal from Leo Lumm to knot things at 1-1 through the first period.
The second period tilted heavily toward the Tornado, taking the lead with a Scott Conway goal eight minutes into the period, followed by a pair of unassisted goals off defensive zone turnovers. The goals by C.J. Reuschlein and Brandon Conway put the game out of reach for the 'Cats. They outshot the Tornado 5-4 in the third, but couldn't slide anything past Hunter Leisner, who was 16 for 17 on the night.
Brody Sharp had 20 saves on 24 shots in his NAHL debut, called up from the WSHL's Dallas Ice Jets with teammate Michael Baldwin to replace Evan Cowley (in Buffalo, NY for the All-American Prospects Game) and Cooper Cook (injured).
NOTES: Defenseman Charlie Hemstrom made his Wildcats' debut after being acquired from the USHL's Fargo Force. He played the last two seasons with the now-defunct St. Louis Bandits. He had no points but 24 PIM in his debut... The Wildcats also added forward Sami Salminen from the Dubuque Thunderbirds. A native of Helsinki, Finland, the 6'5" 200-pound winger was scratched from the lineup Saturday... Team McClanahan, with Evan Cowley in goal, picked up a 5-2 win in Buffalo. Evan played the final 30 minutes, stopping 15 of the 17 shots he faced.
Preview: Wildcats vs. Amarillo, October 5-6; at Texas October 7
The Wildcats get their first of two three-game weekends in October as they take on the Amarillo Bulls twice at home, followed by a Sunday game back in Frisco against the Texas Tornado.
The Wildcats faced the Bulls twice in Amarillo in the preseason going 1-1. The Wildcats went 2-6-0 against the Bulls last season and are 7-12-0 against them all-time. The 2012 regular season South champs are led in scoring by returning veterans Ryan Cole and T.J. Sarcona, who have each averaged a point per game through five games this season. Mike David leads the team with three goals, while Sarcona is their assist leader with four.
The Wildcats are 0-1-0 against Texas this season after this past weekend's game. They'll see the Tornado a total of four times in the month of October, half the teams' games against each other in the entire season.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at our new show host, El Mejicano on Wednesdays 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. All in attendance wearing a Wildcats' jersey will get 20% off!
Get out on the ice! We have open skating every Sunday in October from 3-5 pm. It's $8 including skate rental, or $6 if you bring your own skates. 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.
Become a fan on Facebook! Get all our updates at http://www.facebook.com/WFWildcats
And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @WFWildcats!
Alumni Report
Ville � man has three points in four games this season for Vita Hästen in Sweden's Division 1 league.
Former Wildcats coach Mike Flanagan, recently an assistant coach with the AHL's Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals, is now head coach of the Valpellice Bulldogs in Italy's top league.
We have one more addition to the alumni lists from the past few weeks: Alex Molnar, a Wildcat in the 2005-06 season, just signed with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder!
We're just around the corner from several higher-level seasons getting underway. Here are a few leagues' start dates.
ECHL: October 3
NCAA Div. 1: October 6
AHL: October 12
NCAA Div. 3: October 18
FHL: October 20
SPHL: October 26
NHL: Lockout, start date TBA
We'll start updating you on all your favorite former Wildcats once their seasons begin at the pro and college levels!
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North American Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2012
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Middle period nightmare in 4-1 loss - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- A Clean Look for a Good Cause - Texas Tornado
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