Tough Travel Brings Three Losses
January 17, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats had a tough weekend of travel this past week. Not only did they have three games in three days, but they were in three different arenas with a total of 22 hours of bus travel involved.
The weekend started with Friday night's game in Frisco, TX against the Texas Tornado. Things started off strong for the Wildcats as Zach Pochiro gave them a 1-0 lead 2:53 into the game via a perfectly-executed 2 on 1. Nick Szopinski and Patrick Yudez picked up the assists. The game stayed that way all the way until the final three minutes, when the Tornado tied the game off a C.J. Reuschlein goal. Less than a minute into overtime, Jackson Leef, in his return to the Tornado from the USHL, tapped home a rebound in the slot for a 2-1 Tornado win.
The Wildcats returned home Saturday night and started things out in a similar way. Only 2:35 into the game, Chris Pontello got the Wildcats on the board off Tyler Bruneteau's assist for a 1-0 lead. But that's all that was similar to Friday's game, as the New Mexico Mustangs put 5 pucks in the net before the Wildcats would manage another goal as Tyler Hope picked up a late one for a 5-2 final. Brennen Parker and Nash Worden added the assists.
After the defeat, the Wildcats boarded the bus out to New Mexico to play the Mustangs in an afternoon game in their building. This time, the Mustangs jumped out to an early lead that they would hold all the way until the final buzzer. In the first five minutes, the Mustangs only put three shots on goal, but two of them went in, coming from Dallas Crum and Josh Bretner. A goaltending change for the Wildcats didn't help: Matt Leon came in for Jojo Jeanetta and let in the first shot he faced from Jimmy Peplinski for a 3-0 lead. When the dust settled on the opening period, the Mustangs had scored 4 goals on 11 shots.
The Wildcats improved in the second, scoring twice, but the Mustangs continued to top them, putting up three goals. Sergey Soloviev scored on the power play at the 2:51 mark, but then Adam Chapie struck back for New Mexico 51 second later. Chapie added his second of the day midway through the period before Renato Engler got one back again for the Wildcats. But the Mustangs' lead would be extended out to five goals with Jimmy Peplinski's second of the game for a 7-2 score.
Things got a bit rough late in the game, with a total of 80 penalty minutes being handed out, including double-majors and ejections to New Mexico's Dallas Crum and the Wildcats' Jason Eddy for their roles in two different fights. The physical play sparked the Wildcats a bit late, as Brennen Parker and Zach Pochiro both scored goals for the Wildcats in the span of 19 seconds, suddenly cutting it to a three-goal game. The goals also ended the game for New Mexico netminder Nick Heimer, who was pulled in favor of Jake Stafford. But Stafford shut the door the rest of the way for a 7-4 New Mexico win.
WEEKEND NOTES: The 54:15 of 1-0 score on Friday was the longest the Wildcats held a one-goal lead on the season. In addition to the pair of third period ejections, New Mexico's Cody Walsh was shown the door at the end of the first period. Nate Chasteen played as a defenseman Saturday night. Normally a forward, he was a +1 skating on a pairing with fellow rookie Nash Worden.
Preview: Wildcats vs. Corpus Christi, January 20-21
The 'Cats return home for a pair of games against the IceRays this weekend. The Wildcats have had some success against Corpus Christi this year, going 4-2-0 in six games against their rivals to the south.
The IceRays lead the Wildcats for the South Division's fourth playoff spot by 11 points, with a total of 8 points on the line in head-to-head matchups between them over the next two weeks.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
Win a Wildcats' blanket! We're giving a few away, so text WFWildcats1 to 72727 for your chance to win!
Friday night is Pack The House Night! We're giving away every ticket in the Kay Yeager Coliseum for free! Call the box office at 940-716-5555 if you need 4 tickets or fewer. If you need more, contact Jennifer or Katherine in the Wildcats' office at 940-716-5587.
We're 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 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.
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
NORTH AMERICAN PRO LEAGUES
AHL
Dan Sexton picked up an assist and was a +2 in Friday's win for the Syracuse Crunch over Binghamton. He had been held scoreless and was a -7 over the previous 9 games.
ECHL
Kyle Kraemer had two assists on Monday in Ontario's 3-1 win over Bakersfield. It was his fourth multi-point game of the season, and third of the 2012 calendar year.
Chad Costello has points in his last 8 ECHL games including a hat trick last Wednesday in his first game back after a call-up to the AHL's Springfield Falcons. The Colorado Eagles won 5-1 over Utah. It was Chad's second hat trick of the season. He leads the ECHL in points (55), assists (35), and is tied for second in goals (20).
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Kyle Delaurell celebrated his nomination for the Hobey Baker Award by scoring the game-tying goal in a 2-2 tie with Bentley on Friday.
Cal Heeter was also nominated for the Hobey Baker along with Delaurell.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
Kyle Gallegos had 3 goals and an assist in a weekend split for Tufts. They lost 7-1 to Amherst, and beat Hamilton 4-3. He had the eventual game-winner in the third period over Hamilton.
Skylur Jameson had two assists, Shaun Jameson had a goal and an assist, and Mike Jarboe stopped 25 of 28 shots as Wentworth beat Becker 6-3 on Friday.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2012
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- NAHL Names Nichols First Star of Week - Wenatchee Wild
- Tough Travel Brings Three Losses - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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- IceRays Goaltender Stolarz Named 2nd Star of the Week - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Jr. K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- NAHL Announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Tornado Weekly - Texas Tornado
- Crossing Borders and Mike Taffe Highlight Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
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