"Think at the Rink" gets A+ as 'Catters roll
December 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX- The Texas Wildcatters treated thousands of local elementary school students to a 2-1 victory over the Mississippi Sea Wolves Thursday morning at Ford Arena in the inaugural "Think at the Rink" Day game and educational program.
With the victory, the Wildcatters unbeaten streak reaches 15 games. They have won their last seven contests.
2,673 fourth and fifth-graders from Beaumont, Nederland, Port Neches-Groves, and Hull-Daisetta I.S.D's were joined by loyal 'Catter fans enjoying a holiday break to bring attendance to 4,133-the highest total since the inaugural game sellout November 8,2003. Attending students were presented with an educational workbook that corresponded to the in-game program and included a voucher for a future game.
The Wildcatters (21-2-0-4) and Sea Wolves (8-16-1-1) skated to a scoreless tie in the first period, the ECHL's top team outshot by Mississippi 12-9 in the first frame.
Kevin Baker gave the Wildcatters the lead at 15:50 with a snap shot on a two-on-one from the hash marks that snuck just inside the blocker-side post and past Mississippi goalie Morgan Cey, who made 41 saves on the day. The goal extends Baker's scoring streak to three games-his first three with the Wildcatters this season.
The teams each fired 13 shots on net in the second stanza, as the 'Catters' Anton Khudobin maintained the Texas lead into the second intermission.
The depth of the Texas lineup came into play in the third period, as they would fire 21 shots in the final frame to Mississippi's seven.
A.J. Thelen would eventually provide Texas with some insurance as he blasted a shot from the top of the left circle to give the Catters a 2-0 lead and set off thousands of youthful cheers, rocking Ford Arena with the type of sound that is felt more than heard.
Khudobin, who would notch 31 saves en route to his tenth win of the season (10-0-3), came just 34 seconds from his second shutout of the year. Ryan Menei, who attended camp with the Wildcatters in October, scored at 19:26 to bring the game within one and spur a Mississippi timeout.
Texas would withstand the final seconds facing an extra attacker to secure the victory. They finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play, Mississippi would finish 0-for-7.
Matt Kassian and Brett Angel dropped the gloves at 2:45 of the second period while Chris Cava and Moises Gutierrez would battle at 4:57 in the only two fights of the game.
The Wildcatters and Sea Wolves square off Friday night at 7:30 and Saturday night at 7:05 in the annual Teddy Bear Toss. For tickets or information, call the 'Catters at (409) 951-5500.
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