Stopped in Saturday's shootout
Published on January 28, 2013 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats got a pair of strong efforts on Friday and Saturday, but couldn't crack the Texas Tornado, losing 3-2 on Friday and 4-3 in a shootout Saturday.
The 'Cats dominated play early on Friday, outshooting the Tornado 12-7 in the first period, then jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a blast by Charlie Hemstrom that went by netminder Hunter Leisner's stick side. The shot was so hard that the puck actually got stuck in the netting, hanging in place until the referee came and removed it. Tyler Ledford picked up the lone assist. Just over five minutes later, the Tornado got on the board themselves, as Jackson Leef struck midway through the game to knot it up 1-all.
In the third, the Tornado's excellent power play capitalized. Coming into the game at 25% success against the Wildcats, they took the lead on Nick Neville's goal 24 seconds into the third. Just like the opener, the Wildcats outshot the Tornado 12-7 in the third, and Chris Knudson tied the game once again, coming in and putting a wrister past Leisner in nearly the same spot as Hemstrom's earlier goal. But the Tornado power play wasn't done, as Neville struck again with 5 minutes left, giving the Tornado a 3-2 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
Saturday featured an even better start for the 'Cats before faltering in the second and eventually dropping a 4-3 decision in a shootout. The shots were an even 7-7 in the first, but the Wildcats put two in the back of the net. Kyle Bauman took a centering feed from Ben Kucera and neatly deposited it past Leisner for a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Nick Farmer struck off an assist from Kristaps Bazevics for a 2-0 lead through the first 20 minutes.
Texas came back strong in the second: just three minutes in, Jackson Leef scored on a scramble in front of the net, followed by former Wildcat Jason Eddy picking up a goal only 13 seconds later. The 'Cats used their timeout to settle things down, and it appeared to work, as the rest of the period went scoreless.
The Tornado barrage looked to start up again in the third period as Eddy put in his second of the night, but the Wildcats struck back on the power play with seven minutes left: Colin Staub redirected Eliot Grauer's blast from the high slot, and the game was back to 3-3.
The final seven minutes, plus five of overtime went scoreless as the teams went to a shootout. Brandon Hawkins scored as the first shooter for Texas, followed by a pair of stops before Rudy Junda evened things up. Two more saves came, but the Tornado scored on their final two shots with Nick Neville and Jackson Leef scoring to give the Tornado the victory. The Wildcats picked up a point in the standings with the loss in extra time.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats went 1-2 in overtime/shootout games against the Tornado this season. The one win came in OT, while the two losses went to shootouts... Saturday's power play goal was only the Wildcats' third against the Tornado this season on 31 opportunities... Friday's Food bank Night brought in 2,428 fans to the Kay Yeager Coliseum, the second largest crowd this season.
NAHL SOUTH NOTES: The Wildcats only lost one point of ground to Corpus Christi, as they split a two-game set with Odess. The Wildcats trail the IceRays by 7 points... Texas took control of first place by a point as Amarillo and Topeka split a hotly-contested series. Topeka won 1-0 Friday and Amarillo won Saturday's penalty-filled 3-1 game.
Scouting the Odessa Jackalopes, January 31-February 2
The Wildcats get a strenuous three-game series this weekend, playing Thursday through Saturday against the Odessa Jackalopes at the Ector County Coliseum. This is the team's first three-in-a-row stretch since the four games at the Minnesota Showcase to start the season.
The Wildcats are 3-1 against the Jacks this season, going 1-1 at Odessa back in November. Their most recent set was a sweep by the Wildcats in Wichita Falls on January 11 and 12. Eliot Grauer and Sami Salminen have been the team's top scorers in those games. Grauer has 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points, while Salminen has four goals and an assist for five points. Brian Leblanc is a +6 in two games against Odessa.
The Jackalopes can't be taken lightly though: while they're only 6-32-2, those 6 wins have come against some stiff competition. Last week they split with Corpus Christi, they toppled Texas on December 15, took Kenai River and Minot in overtime, beat Topeka back in October, and held onto a 1-0 decision against the Wildcats in November. Leading the Jackalopes in scoring is Lawrence Cornellier with 45 points in 40 games. He also leads them with 23 goals and 22 assists. No other player currently on the team has over 20 points, and only one player has double-digits in either goals or assists-Anthony Olguin with 10 goals. The Jacks just added another goalie, releasing Phil Heinle and acquiring Erick Majerle from Brookings. This week, they also released veterans Jalen Krogman and Curt Rau and traded Austin Ho to Springfield.
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 our January and February open skating schedule on the Games and Ice Events tab at WFWildcatsHockey.com. 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.
Don't forget, our annual Children's Miracle Network "Jersey Off Our Back" Auction is coming up on February 9 after the Wildcats take on the Amarillo Bulls! Help the Wildcats support CMN and take home one of the Wildcats' special jerseys in their post-game auction.
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
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Dan Sexton looks to be getting his legs back under him now after a late start due to the NHL lockout. He has points in each of his last four games, and scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday.
ECHL
After being held off the scoresheet for nine games, Andrew Conboy had a goal and an assist for Cincinnati on Friday. Ironically, the noted tough guy was only a fight away from the famous Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Three games this week brought three assists to Kyle Kraemer's stats. He leads the Ontario Reign in that category this season.
NCAA DIVISION 1
Kyle Delaurell had a goal and an assist as Air Force took two against Robert Morris.
NCAA DIVISION 3
Jason McAloon had two goals and two assists as Lake Forest beat Concordia (Wisc.) on Friday 7-4.
Brandon Stroud had a pair of goals plus an assist in two games for Western New England.
Shaun Jameson tallied the overtime game-winner and had two assists, while Curtis Heinz had two assists of his own in Wentworth's 4-3 win Saturday over Salve Regina.
Brett Kaneshiro picked up three assists in Curry's win over Johnson and Wales on Saturday.
Renato Engler had a goal and three assists as Lawrence split a pair with Northland.
Zack Josepher had a goal and two assists as SUNY-Oswego took wins over Geneseo and Brockport.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2013
- Wings Weekly - Aberdeen Wings
- Payne Honored by League - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Bruins Clinch Playoff Spot - Austin Bruins
- Three Bulls Alumni Get Points Over The Weekend - Amarillo Bulls
- Stopped in Saturday's shootout - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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