Offense Limited In Weekend Sweep
October 24, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
It was a tough weekend to be a goal scorer for the Wildcats. On Friday and Saturday, a pair of in-state rivals held the team to three goals in two losses.
Friday's game was in Wichita Falls as the Wildcats looked to avenge a 3-2 loss the previous weekend out in Amarillo, but the Bulls had other ideas. Within the opening four minutes, the Bulls had grabbed a 2-0 lead before the Wildcats would settle down and keep the remainder of the period scoreless.
The 'Cats actually cut the deficit to a goal in the second period, as Brennen Parker tallied his third goal of the season off assists from Cody Williams and Nate Chasteen, but the Bulls struck back twice more in the second period to take a 4-1 lead. The fourth goal ended Tyler Green's night, having stopped 14 of 18 shots.
Ryan Kellenberger fared somewhat better in relief, stopping 10 shots, but still seeing two Bulls' shots get by him in the third before Tucker Poolman stopped the bleeding with 5:12 to go. Poolman's late tally was his third of the season and came from Chasteen and Parker.
Saturday night's game was largely a defensive battle as the Wildcats and Tornado managed only 40 shots on goal combined between them. Never did the shot on goal totals get into the double digits for either team in an individual period.
Texas got on the board first with only five seconds left in period number one, with Marc Biggs ripping off a laser from the top of the circles for a 1-0 lead. The early goal didn't discourage the Wildcats though as Chris Pontello knotted the game at a goal apiece with a tally five minutes into the second off assists from Tyler Hope and Tyler Bruneteau.
Much of the game was contested in the neutral zone, back and forth without much going on for either team in the offensive end. The tie wasn't broken until the 7:29 mark of the final period, as Nick Neville's blast from the high slot on the power play was redirected by C.J. Reuschlein about five feet in front of the net to give the Tornado a 2-1 lead. They would hold on to that score for the victory. Tyler Green stopped 17 of 19 shots.
The Wildcats head out west this weekend on Saturday night to face the Bulls at the Cal Farley Coliseum.
WEEKEND NOTES: Justin Gutierrez made his Wildcats' debut on Saturday night after being acquired earlier in the week from the WHL's Tri-City Americans. Gutierrez is the youngest player in the NAHL: he will turn 16 in December. Patrick Yudez also returned to the lineup on Saturday night after missing all but one game this season due to injury. The team is on a 0-for-29 skid on the power play, having last scored with the man advantage on October 2 against Topeka.
Preview: Wildcats at Amarillo Sat. Oct. 29
The Wildcats and Bulls are probably sick of seeing each other, as they'll face each other for the third time in three weekends with this Saturday's game out in Amarillo. The Wildcats have lost the previous two matchups, 3-2 in Amarillo on Saturday the 15th, and 6-1 in Wichita Falls on Friday the 21st.
Nate Chasteen leads the Wildcats in points against the Bulls this season with three, all assists. For the Bulls, John Gustafsson and Brooks Behling each have four points against the 'Cats. Overall on the season, Gustafsson leads the team in all offensive categories with 17 points coming via 7 goals and 10 assists.
If you can't make it to the rink, tune in at the FASTHockey networks at FASTHockey.com. You can also hear a free audio feed at WFWildcatsHockey.com. Drew Pelto will bring you all of the action.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at River Creek Golf Course. The 9-hole scramble begins at 4 pm. Golfers will be put in teams of four, with each foursome containing a Wildcats' player or coach. The cost is $30 per player if registered in advance, or $40 at the door. To register yourself or your team please call the Wildcats' office at 940-716-5587.
Sponsorships for the Golf tournament are available as well- $50 for a hole sponsorship, with other opportunities available as corporate sponsors or sponsors of various prize holes, such as longest drive or closest to the pin. Contact the Wildcats' office for details.
Hockey In Heels returns to the Kay Yeager Coliseum on Thursday, November 3 at 7 pm. It's a Hockey 101 course for women, taught by the Wildcats' coaches. The cost is $25, or $18 for those under 18 and is sponsored by Kathy's Bakery in Iowa Park. To register, call Katherine Isenhour in the Wildcats' office.
We're back on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at P2 The Deuce downtown on Tuesdays at 7 pm. The Voice of the Wildcats, Drew Pelto, will interview head coach Paul Baxter 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.
WANTED: adult hockey players! Adult Open Hockey is for anyone age 16 or older on Sundays at 5:15 pm. The cost is $10 for an hour of hockey. You must have your own equipment to play. Goalies play for free.
Adult hockey and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! 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.
Alumni Report
NORTH AMERICA
Chad Costello is the leading scorer for the ECHL's Colorado Eagles. Through four games, he has two goals and six assists for eight points. He had three assists on Saturday in a 5-4 loss to Stockton.
Adam Kuhn made his professional hockey debut this weekend in the SPHL with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. He was held off the scoreboard, but did drop the gloves twice in those games. Video of one of the fights can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch'v=bKToZruv4lA
Nick Klaren had a pair of assists for the Mississippi Surge as they went 1-2 to start off the SPHL season.
EUROPE
Jack Wolgemuth is playing in France's Division 2 league for Montpellier after spending last year in the SPHL with the Mississippi Surge.
Ville Aman, who played previously for Wolgemuth's Montpellier team, is back with Huddinge in Sweden's Division 1 league. He has 13 points through 10 games.
COLLEGE
A pair of former Wildcats teammates had big weekends for the Military Academies. Kyle Delaurell had two goals and two assists for Air Force as they tied and beat Alabama-Huntsville on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Mike Henderson of Army tallied a goal and an assist in a tie with Colgate on Saturday.
Former Wildcat and Boston Bruins draft prospect Zach Trotman had a goal and an assist on Saturday in Lake Superior State's 4-1 win over Bowling Green.
Luke Salazar found the back of the net twice in Denver's 4-2 win over Minnesota State on Friday.
Shea Walters had a goal and an assist in a pair of wins for Bemidji State over Michigan Tech. Another former Wildcat, Tyler Tosunian, is playing for Bemidji State this season as well.
Know where any other former Wildcats are that haven't been mentioned lately in the Alumni Report' Let us know! E-mail Drew at dpelto@wfwildcatshockey.com and tell him!
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North American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2011
- Lant Named Assistant Captain - Wenatchee Wild
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- 'Runners Outlast Mustangs in 6-5 Win - Topeka Pilots
- Offense Limited In Weekend Sweep - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jr. K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Former Tornado Defenseman Representing USA in Germany - Texas Tornado
- Topeka Blueliner Commits To U-Conn - Topeka Pilots
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