Rough Road Trip

December 8, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


BEAUMONT, TX (December 8, 2003) – The Wildcatters played three games in as many nights on the road over the weekend, finishing 0-3-0. Friday December 5th, the Louisiana IceGators took another bite out of the Wildcatters winning 4-2. Rob Guinn netted his first goal of the year from Lukas Smital and Cory Morgan making it a 1-1 game at the end of the first period. Louisiana scored the only goals of the second period, Martin Masa his second of the game on the power play and Kenny Corupe shorthanded. In the third Ben Storey of the IceGators netted his seventh of the season on the power play. Bobby Cunningham scored his 13th of the season from Steve Lowe and Jason Metcalfe for the Wildcatters. Davis Parley suffered the loss with 37 saves and Derek Gustafson got the win with 27 saves.

On Saturday, Texas traveled to Mississippi to take on the Sea Wolves, losing 4-1. Mississippi opened up the scoring with continued pressure after a Wildcatters penalty expired. Sergei Kuznetsov took a centering pass from Travis Lisabeth and Andrei Lupandin for his seventh of the year. The Wildcatters would tie the game on the power play with 37 seconds left in period. Steve Lowe took a pass in the slot area from Tony Lawrence and buried his fourth of the year. John Snowden also assisted on the Wildcatters goal to closeout the first period scoring. The Sea Wolves would add three more goals in the second with Kuznetsov picking up his second of the game and fourth against the Wildcatters. Brent Gauvreau had the game winner his ninth of the season and Lupandin netted his third of the season. Greg Gardner picks up his eighth win of the season with 32 saves. Jason Cugnet suffers the loss with 48 saves on 52 shots.

On Sunday, the Wildcatters were in Pensacola to close out the weekend, falling 3-1 to the Ice Pilots. The Wildcatters opened the scoring after their first power play expired as Cory Morgan scored on a wrap around. John Snowden and Steve Lowe were credited with assists off their rebound shots that set-up the Morgan tally. Cory Neilson tied the game at one in the first from Greg Chambers and Mike Jones. Both teams were held scoreless in the second with a combined 25 saves by Davis Parley and Brian Ecklund. Pensacola forward Tyler Beechey scored the game winner 42 seconds into the third period on the power play. He took a feed from Greg Chambers at the side of the net for his fifth of the season. Beechey would closeout the scoring with his second of the game on the power play as he skated around all four Wildcatters for a breakaway goal.

Player of the Week Nomination: Davis Parley

Goalie of the Week Nomination: Brian Stacey

Division Collision: 5 games remain of the 17 straight Central Division match-ups. The Wildcatters are currently 4-11-1 in division play. Texas will not play outside of their division until December 21st when they take on the Greenville Grrrowl at Ford Arena.

Wildcatters Weekly: Join us tonight at The West Bar & Grill from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for "Wildcatters Weekly" live on News Radio Fox 1380. This is a great opportunity for fans to meet some of the players and Head Coach Robert Dirk. Those in attendance are encouraged to ask questions and participate during the show. This weeks player guests are Steve Lowe and Jason Metcalfe.

Teddy Bear Toss: The Texas Wildcatters are teaming up with Toys for Tots for a Teddy Bear Toss at Ford Arena on Saturday, December 13, when the Wildcatters face the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Game-time is 7:05 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring any new stuffed animals or teddy bears to toss onto the ice after the first Wildcatters goal is scored. These stuffed toys will be collected and distributed throughout the holiday season to children.

Team Leaders:

Goals – Bobby Cunningham (13)

Assists – Tony Lawrence and Cory Morgan (14)

Points – Bobby Cunningham (25)

Penalty Minutes - Ashley Langdone (101)

Power Play Goals – Bobby Cunningham (5)

+/- –John Snowden (+10)

Wins – Davis Parley (3)

Goals Against Average – Davis Parley (3.37)

Save Percentage – Davis Parley (91.5%)

Power Play – 13.9% 14 for 101 (19th ECHL)

Penalty Kill – 77.7% 108 for 139 (30th ECHL)



ECHL Stories from December 8, 2003


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