Topeka Takes Two, Part Two
Published on October 10, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats hit the road for the first time this season, playing in the Topeka Roadrunners' hope opening series. The Roadrunners impressed the home crowd though, coming away with victories of 6-2 and 3-0 across the weekend.
A goal 22 seconds in and five unanswered in the second and third periods gave the Roadrunners the ammo they needed to topple the Wildcats on Friday by a 6-2 final. Renato Engler and Brennan Parker scored for the Wildcats in the loss.
The game remained scoreless for a whole 22 seconds before Dan Dupell put the puck in the net with multiple bodies screening Tyler Green, who stopped 22 of 28 shots he faced. Engler tied things up off a tough angle shot early in the second, but the tie only lasted 23 seconds before Ben Bahe gave the Roadrunners a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The flood gates went on to open as Kyle Sharkey, Jake Lynes (shorthanded), Robbie Davis, and Gage Hough combined to hang 4 more goals on the scoreboard. Brennan Parker added a goal inside the final minute for the Wildcats to stop the bleeding, but the damage had already been done.
Two second-period goals were the difference makers as the Topeka Roadrunners extended their streak to four wins in a row over the Wildcats with Saturday's 3-0 victory. Tyler Green faced 28 shots, stopping 26.
The Wildcats outshot the Roadrunners early on, finishing the opening period with a 14-9 advantage in that department. But Josh Hillegas stopped everything he faced-- 14 in the first, 9 in the second, and 4 in the third en route to the win and his first NAHL shutout.
The Wildcats had to spend a lot of time on the penalty kill, keeping the Roadrunners at bay through two five-minute major penalties-- one in the second to Richard Young for fighting and one in the third to Renato Engler for charging.
The Wildcats get the Roadrunners again in December for two games in Topeka. The Wildcats' next games will be a split weekend this weekend, at home against Texas on Friday, then hitting the road to Amarillo on Saturday.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats' power play goal scoring streak was snapped on Friday. Entering the game, they had scored with the man advantage in each of the previous seven games. The Wildcats and Roadrunners combined to go a perfect 15 of 15 on the penalty kill, staving off 36 combined minutes of penalty time on the weekend.
Preview: Wildcats vs. Texas Fri. Oct. 14, at Amarillo Sat. Oct. 15
The Wildcats face two more divisional rivals this weekend, as they play host to the Texas Tornado on Friday and then travel out to face the Amarillo Bulls on Saturday. Game time both nights is at 7:05 pm.
Both teams have started out hot this season, with Texas going 6-1-1 through 8 games, and Amarillo going 6-1-2 through 9. Leading the Tornado in scoring is veteran forward Jack Prince, with 2 goals and 9 assists; Marc Biggs leads in goals, having found the back of the net 5 times. For Amarillo, T.J. Sarcona and John Gustafsson lead the team with 12 points each. Sarcone leads the squad with 7 goals, while Mike Erickson leads in assists with 9.
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 of Saturday's game 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. Golfers will be put in teams of four, with each foursome containing a Wildcats' player or coach. The cost is $40 per player if registered in advance, or $50 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.
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
Dan Sexton opens the 2011-12 season with the Syracuse Crunch on Friday against the Binghamton Senators.
Chris Nutini was reassigned to the ECHL's Reading Royals after a tryout in the AHL with Syracuse.
Kyle Kraemer picked up a goal and an assist for the Ontario Reign in a pair of preseason games against Las Vegas.
We'll have more info on former Wildcats' players at the collegiate ranks as the NCAA and ACHA seasons get closer!
North American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2011
- Miglio Secures Bobcats' Third Straight Weekly Honor - Bismarck Bobcats
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Monsters Weekly - Fresno Monsters
- Rays Report: Weekend Split - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Topeka Takes Two, Part Two - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jr. K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
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.
