Turnovers Cost 'Cats
February 18, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
With the Corpus Christi IceRays having the week off, the Wildcats had a golden opportunity to gain some ground on them for the South Division's fourth spot. Unfortunately, they ran into a Topeka team anxious to claw their way into second place past the Texas Tornado. When all was said and done, that's exactly what happened: the Roadrunners took home a pair of one-goal victories over the weekend and vaulted into second place while the Wildcats remain seven points behind Corpus Christi.
Things didn't look good early on Friday as the Roadrunners jumped out to a 2-0 lead just minutes into the second period off a pair of goals by the league's leading scorer, Sean Gaffney. But the 'Cats came back as Eliot Grauer lifted a wrister stick-side high past Topeka goalie Spencer Viele on the power play for a 2-1 game. Two minutes into the third, Rudy Junda picked up his first goal since December 1, redirecting Chris Knudson 's slapper into the back of the net.
Turnovers were an issue all weekend though, and the Roadrunners managed to capitalize on several, including what proved to be Saturday's game-winner. Tyler Andrew gave the Roadrunners the lead with just over five minutes to play after they jumped on an errant pass in the Wildcats' zone. They held on for the 3-2 victory.
Saturday saw a back and forth second period but once again defensive zone turnovers led to a poor start to the third as the Roadrunners picked up a 4-3 victory.
After a scoreless first period, Patrick Yudez tapped home a rebound off Nick Farmer 's shot for a 1-0 lead three minutes into the second. The lead was short-lived though, as Gaffney struck again only 57 seconds later to even the game at a goal apiece. A minute and a half later, the Roadrunners gained the lead off Trace Strahle's shot on the powerplay. But not to be outdone, the 'Cats tied it back up with a minute left in the period as Kyle Bauman scored a powerplay tally of his own.
The opening minute of the third ended up as the deciding factor. Any momentum the Wildcats hoped to gain with the late goal in the second was quickly quashed as Kyle Sharkey took advantage of a turnover and gave the 'Runners a 3-2 lead 23 seconds into the third. Only 19 seconds later, the Roadrunners got another one, as Tyler Andrew's wrap-around attempt trickled its way just past Evan Cowley 's outstretched glove for a 4-2 game. The Wildcats made it interesting late as Eliot Grauer scored his second powerplay goal of the weekend with 8:27 to play, cutting the deficit in half, but the Roadrunner defense limited the Wildcats the rest of the way as they took home the 4-3 victory.
The Wildcats face the Roadrunners four more times this season: twice in Topeka March 1 and 2, then twice in Wichita Falls on March 29 and 30.
WEEKEND NOTES: Jake Townsend missed Friday's game due to suspension, but was back on Saturday. Charlie Hemstrom has another three games to serve after receiving a six-game ban for a cross-checking major last Friday against Amarillo... Conor O'Neil returned to the lineup from an upper body injury, appearing in both games this weekend... Evan Cowley was a combined 55/62 in goal in his first two games back from the Five Nations Tournament... Cowley, O'Neil, Hemstrom, Grauer, and Bauman will be in Michigan this week for the NAHL's Top Prospects Tournament. They will be back with the Wildcats in time for this weekend's games against Odessa. The Tournament is underway, with Cowley and the U18 Selects playing at 3:30 Central, and the rest playing for Texas at 6:00 Central.
NAHL SOUTH NOTES: Corpus Christi and Odessa both had the weekend off... Amarillo swept Texas, allowing Topeka to move into second in the division... Both Topeka and Texas clinched playoff spots with the Wildcats' losses... The IceRays' magic number sits at 20: any combination of 20 points picked up by the IceRays or missed out on by the Wildcats will result in the Wildcats' elimination from playoff contention.
Scouting the Odessa Jackalopes, February 22-23
The Wildcats will take on the Odessa Jackalopes this weekend in a pair of games to finish off their homestand. The Wildcats have won 6 of 7 against the Jacks this year, and look to continue that success as they attempt to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Jackalopes were busy making deals before last week's trading deadline, sending then-leading scorer Lawrence Cornellier to Fairbanks. Their current leading scorer is Anthony Olguin (10-9-19 in 38 games). Recently, they acquired NAHL South veterans Chris Taff (formerly of Corpus Christi) and Jude Warner (an ex-Amarillo Bull).
For the Wildcats, Eliot Grauer has averaged two points per game against the Jackalopes this season (3 goals and 11 assists in 14 games). Three different players are tied for the team lead in goals against the Jacks: Sami Salminen, Conor O'Neil, and Tyler Ledford each have scored four.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at our new show host, El Mejicano on Wednesdays 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. All in attendance wearing a Wildcats' jersey will get 20% off!
Get out on the ice! We have our February and March open skating schedule on the Games and Ice Events tab at WFWildcatsHockey.com. 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.
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Alumni Report
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Chad Costello scored his second AHL goal of the season in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' 3-2 OT loss to Norfolk on Sunday. Norfolk's Dan Sexton had an assist earlier in the game.
ECHL
After two disappointing games Friday and Saturday where he had no points and was a -3, Kyle Kraemer bounced back with two goals in Sunday's 6-3 loss to Colorado. He presently leads the Ontario Reign in assists with 30, and is third in points with 50.
NCAA DIVISION 1
Kyle Delaurell had a goal and an assist in a pair of Air Force wins over Canisius. The assist was on Saturday's game-winning goal.
Former captain Steven Hoshaw picked up a goal and an assist as American International stomped Sacred Heart 9-1 on Saturday. Brian Sheehan assisted on Sacred Heart's lone goal.
Tyler Lundey scored Ohio State's lone goal in Friday's 1-1 tie with Western Michigan.
P.J. Musico stopped 31 of 32 shots as Penn State beat Oklahoma's ACHA squad in exhibition action. Augie Hoffman assisted on Oklahoma's lone goal.
NCAA DIVISION 3
Jason McAloon scored twice as Lake Forest had a loss and a tie with Lawrence.
Big week for Matt Kenline : the senior forward had two goals and three assists as Salem State took home wins against Westfield State and Framingham State.
Shaun Jameson had four assists in two Wentworth victories over Suffolk and Salve Regina.
Ryan Frost had a goal and an assist and Erick Cinotti stopped 26 of 28 in Castleton's 5-2 win over Skidmore on Saturday.
Zach Josepher had two goals in SUNY-Oswego's 10-0 walloping of Potsdam.
Brandon Stroud scored a goal and added two assists, and Andy Cramer had a goal as Western New England beat Suffolk 5-3 on Thursday.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2013
- Bulls Help Team Texas Beat Frontier 5-3 - Amarillo Bulls
- Local Businesses Support Fighting Falcons During Road Trip - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Turnovers Cost 'Cats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jr. Blues Sweep Michigan - Springfield Jr. Blues
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