Tafoya Scores First Goal in Wild Sweater
September 15, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
BLAINE, Minn. - Forward Jerad Tafoya (Highland Ranch, Colo.) recorded his first goal with the Wenatchee Wild, but the Aberdeen Wings rallied to defeat the Wild 2-1 Thursday during the second day of action at the ninth annual Showcase Tournament in Blaine, Minn.
Tafoya's goal, scored with 5:32 remaining in the first period, staked the Wild to a 1-0 lead. On the play, the puck was tied up in the near corner after a faceoff in the Aberdeen zone. Ben Carey (Centennial, Colo.) finally gained possession and went straight to the cage. Tafoya picked up the mail after Carey ran into resistance in the low slot, turned it onto his backhand and lifted a shot that whizzed over goaltender Frederick Leisner's blocker. Trace Redmond (McKinney, Texas) earned the secondary assist for his first point with the Wild.
The Wings tied the score, 1-1, a little less than three minutes into the second frame when Alex Brooks knocked a rebound past goaltender Greg Lewis (Mars, Pa.). Cory Ward and Paul Prescott assisted. Lewis and the Wild went on to kill a 5-minute major penalty later in the stanza.
Steve Obarzanek knocked in what would count as the game-winner with 6:38 left in regulation when he put back a rebound. Lewis was sound for the second day in a row, stopping 21 of the 23 shots he faced. Leisner made 22 saves on 23 shots. Aberdeen was 1-for-5 on the power play while Wenatchee was 0-for-3.
"It was a better effort by us today," said Wild head coach John Becanic. "We need to generate more offense and tighten things up a little bit in our end."
Wenatchee (0-2) will play its third game of the Showcase Tournament at 11:15 a.m. Friday against Corpus Christi (1-1). Goaltender Robert Nichols (Dallas, Texas) is expected to make his first regular-season start with the Wild. Listen to all of the action on 1340 AM The Zone or, for a small fee, watch the game live online at www.FASTHockey.com.
Showcase Tournament
Blaine, Minn.
Wenatchee Wild Schedule & Results
Game 1:
Janesville 2, Wenatchee 0
Game 2:
Aberdeen 2, Wenatchee 1
Game 3:
vs. Corpus Christi - Friday, Sept. 16, 11:15 a.m.
Game 4:
vs. Chicago - Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:30 a.m.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 15, 2011
- NAHL Showcase Results, Day 2 - NAHL
- Bulls Bounce Ironmen 5-1 - Amarillo Bulls
- Tafoya Scores First Goal in Wild Sweater - Wenatchee Wild
- Port Huron Beats Topeka 2-1 in Shootout - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Bobcats Rally, Top Avs 4-3 in OT - Bismarck Bobcats
- Schempp, Stars Edge Odessa, 3-2 - Traverse City North Stars
- Warriors Shutout Ice Rays to Move to 2-0 - Michigan Warriors
- Open for Business: Stars Topple Texas - Traverse City North Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
