Mississippi Holds of Catters 4-3 in Overtime
April 12, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Biloxi, MS--The Texas Wildcatters got two goals from Kevin Baker but the Mississippi Sea Wolves were able to extend their season for at least one more day, taking advantage of 13 Texas penalties take down the top-seeded Wildcatters 4-3 in overtime in Game 3 Saturday night at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Mississippi jumped to an early lead after a heavily-penalized Texas first period led to two 5-on-3 opportunities for the Sea Wolves. Jason Tejchma recorded his third of the playoffs at 4:56 and Chris Cava ripped a shot from the point past Anton Khudobin just 32 seconds later, leaving the Wildcatters stunned and down a pair less than six minutes into the contest.
Max Taylor would begin the Catters' comeback, taking advantage of a Mississippi turnover and slinging home a shorthanded wrist shot from the mid-slot for his second shorthanded goal of the playoffs.
Baker would knot the game with a power play goal with 1:02 remaining in the period. David Schulz, playing in his first game of the postseason, fed Baker in the mid-slot who fired a laser into the high glove-side corner of Ryan Munce's cage to knot the game 2-2.
In a play that can only be called controversial, Khudobin was piled into the net by a Mississippi player during a Sea Wolves power play three minutes into the second frame, yet the only penalty called on the play was a hooking call against Dan Welch.
Marek Kvapil would send a shot from the top of the slot on the ensuing 5-on-3 power play that beat Khudobin low on the stick side to make the score 3-2 Mississippi.
Munce withstood 14 shots and four Texas power plays in a very strong second period for the Sea Wolves.
Entering the third period needing a goal, Baker's second of the night tied the game again, this time after a corralling a deflection in front of the net and capitalizing with a sharp angle backhander that just snuck past Munce at 3:05.
With their season on the line, Mississippi was able to withstand the Texas attack for the duration of the third, including a minute-long 5-on-3 power play five minutes into the period.
Though the Wildcatters applied most of the pressure in overtime, Mike Hartwick would extend the Mississippi season with a blast through traffic four minutes into the extra frame that Khudobin never appeared to get a look at. It was the only Mississippi shot of overtime.
Khudobin finished with 30 saves on 34 shots while Munce finished with 35 saves on 38 shots, including two in overtime.
The Wildcatters were penalized 13 times, allowing the Sea Wolves to go 3-for-12 on the man advantage. The Catters converted on 1-of-10 power play opportunities.
With the series still 2-1 in their favor, the Wildcatters will have a second shot to eliminate the Sea Wolves Sunday at 5:05 in Game 4.
If necessary, Game 5 will be at Ford Arena Tuesday at 7:05.
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros. Playoff packages and single game tickets are available now, call (409) 951-5500.
ECHL Stories from April 12, 2008
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- Cyclones Take Two Game Lead Over Johnstown With 4-1 Triumph - Cincinnati Cyclones
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