Tornado blow past Wildcats
February 21, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Friday's late comeback fell short and Saturday's back and forth affair ended a goal short as the Wildcats lost two games to the Texas Tornado. Friday's game was a 3-1 final, while Saturday's ending score was 5-4.
Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period on Friday via a pair of Jack Prince goals before Ryan Frost scored an impossible-angle shot, banking the puck in off the back of Tornado goalie Jimmy Kruger to cut the deficit to a single goal. Minutes later, Mikhail Sentyurin's laser of a shot hit the post, nearly tying the game up. The on-ice officials discussed it with the goal judge, but the no-goal call was upheld. The Tornado got back to a two goal lead that they wouldn't relinquish, as Walker Hyland scored yet again against the Wildcats. The Tornado and former Fresno Monsters' defenseman has three goals in five games against the Wildcats.
Saturday saw loads of scoring early on, as the teams combined for eight goals in the first 30 minutes, but only scored one in the final 30 as the Tornado picked up a 5-4 win. This time it was the Wildcats' turn to score an early goal as Chris Leone scored at the 1:36 mark for a 1-0 lead. But the Tornado came storming back, tallying three in an eleven-minute span. The Wildcats got one of the goals right back though as Russell Blaser picked up his first as a Wildcat via a goalmouth scramble, putting it back to a one-goal game by the end of the opening period.
The second period was won by the Wildcats, coming back to tie things up. The Tornado extended their lead back to two goals with a J.D. Howard rebound goal only 1:41 in. But once again the 'Cats stormed back, as an innocent-looking Joe Adams shot from the point drifted into the net, followed by Drew Allen scoring on a power play to knot things back up at four-all. Allen's goal is only the second the Wildcats have scored with the man advantage against Texas this season.
The game settled down significantly for the final thirty-plus minutes. After a combined 25 shots on goal in the first, the third period witnessed only 11 pucks making it on net. This time it was Jackson Leef tallying what would prove to be the game-winner. The Wildcats mounted a late attack and nearly tied the game in the final moments, but the puck got batted out of the crease after centering feed from the corner was nearly redirected in, and the Tornado held on for the weekend sweep.
WEEKEND NOTES: Friday's game saw a combined 132 penalty minutes, and resulted in three players being suspended for Saturday's game. Friday's crowd of 2,385 was the third-largest crowd at the Kay Yeager Coliseum this year. In the playoff picture, the Wildcats' magic number sits at 7. In other words, 7 Wichita Falls wins or Corpus Christi regulation losses will clinch a playoff spot for the Wildcats.
Preview: 2/25-26 vs. New Mexico Mustangs
The Wildcats and the Mustangs will play again as bookends to the extended homestand here at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. The Wildcats kicked off their nine-game home set with a sweep of the Mustangs back on January 28 and 29. The teams have played each other eight times, with the Wildcats winning four, losing three in regulation, and one in a shootout.
The Mustangs are currently sixth in the NAHL South Division. They are led in scoring by Adam Chapie who has 28 points, including a team-leading 17 assists. Their top goal-scorer is Patrick Anderson with 14 this year.
Military Appreciation Night is Friday!
Every year, the Wildcats host Military Appreciation Night at a game at the Kay Yeager Coliseum, and this year it will be this coming Friday against the New Mexico Mustangs. Anyone with a valid military ID can present it at the box office for a free ticket for the game. Plus, the Wildcats will wear special military-themed jerseys which will be raffled off after the game.
In an interesting tidbit, the Wildcats faced the Mustangs for their Military Appreciation Day back in November in Rio Rancho, NM.
Wildcats raise $20,000 for CMN!
The Wildcats' annual "Jerseys Off Our Backs" Night raised $20,000 for Children's Miracle Network this past Saturday. Defenseman Joe Adams and forward Ryan Frost saw their jerseys sell for $950, the highest of any player. Every year, the Wildcats help CMN to raise money to help children in North Texas. All funds raised here stay here at United Regional. The auction is always a fun event for players and fans alike, and goes to help a great cause in the community.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show continues this week at the Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Boulevard! Come down and hear Drew and the coaches talk about this past week's win over Texas, and see what's in store for this coming weekend at home against Amarillo. Plus you'll get to hear from one of your favorite players in the "Talk to the Team" segment. It all happens Tuesday at 7:30; if you can't be there tune in on 94.9 KOLI, The Outlaw.
Broomball, adult hockey, and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! Any questions about our ice programs Contact Brandon Miller in the Wildcats office, 940-716-5587.
Alumni Report
Dan Sexton was held off the scoreboard this week in a pair of Anaheim losses. Sexton and the Ducks are currently in a four-way tie for seventh place in the NHL's Western Conference with Minnesota, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
Chad Costello gets to be the next former Wildcat yo-yo'ing between two leagues. After Sexton's early-season adventures going between Syracuse in the AHL and Anaheim of the NHL, this week Costello was sent back down to Tulsa in the CHL after a three-game stint with the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters. He picked up right where he left off: in his first two games back, Costello scored two goals and added an assist in a pair of wins. His play inspired the Monsters to call him back up to the AHL again today.
Kyle Kraemer is on a three-game scoring streak with the Ontario Reign, picking up assists in each game of a three-game set against Bakersfield in ECHL action Friday through Sunday.
Kyle Delaurell scored a goal and had an assist as Air Force beat Mercyhurst 6-5 on Saturday.
Alex Molnar tallied a goal and an assist in a pair of Salem State wins over Framingham State. Matt Kenline also added an assist.
Kelly Andrew stopped everything thrown his way in a 4-0 win for Concordia, MN over Hamline on Friday. The freshman netminder was a perfect 32/32 in goal.
Hamline senior and former Wildcat Kyle Mattson made sure Andrew's feat wouldn't be repeated on Saturday, as he scored a first-period goal and added an assist in a 7-4 Hamline victory over Concordia.
Joel Sauer had five assists over the weekend, including four in Augsburg's 4-2 win over Bethel on Saturday.
Kyle Gallegos had a big weekend for Tufts, scoring three goals and adding an assist as the Jumbos went 1-1 in a pair of games.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2011
- Opie Scores Two in Team North Win - Traverse City North Stars
- Bulls Stay Busy In Community On Weekend Off - Amarillo Bulls
- Tornado blow past Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- 'Runners Lead Team South to Day 1 Win - Topeka Pilots
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