Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider
September 20, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Wildcats are Minnesota Showcase champs!
"Everyone's expectation was 'Let's hope to win four,'" forward Sean Keane said. "I don't know if any of us really truly thought it would end up that way."
But in the end it did end up that way, and the Wildcats will have a new banner to hang in the rafters of the Kay Yeager Coliseum. With wins over Chicago, Wenatchee, Bismarck, and Aberdeen, the Wildcats were crowned SBK Hockey NAHL 2010 Minnesota Showcase Champions.
"This early in the season, I'm pleasantly surprised at how cohesive a unit they are," head coach Mark LeRose said of his team. "There's not a lot of selfish play out of the players and they're supportive of each other."
The Wildcats kicked things off with an 8-1 victory over the Chicago Hitmen. Dakota Klecha led the way in his NAHL debut with two goals and two assists on the second line. Top line center Mac Olson also had two goals of his own. Meanwhile, back in the defensive zone, goaltender Tyler Green went 33 of 34 in net to pick up the win in his debut with the 'Cats.
Thursday looked to be yet another tough test as the Wildcats faced the formidable Wenatchee Wild. The game was a defensive duel that attracted attention from many fans and by the third period the scoreless game was being watched by a crowd of close to a thousand fans, a significant number considering it was one of four NAHL games being played at the Schwan's Super Rink at the time. Eric Garavaglia picked up a shutout in his NAHL debut while Dakota Klecha scored the game winner. Chris Leone scored an insurance goal with 1:09 left to ice it for Wichita Falls.
Friday afternoon was another tough opponent on the schedule as the Wildcats faced off against the defending Robertson Cup Champions, the Bismarck Bobcats. The Wildcats were 2-1 all-time against Bismarck at the Showcase, and extended their record to 3-1 with an overtime victory. Tanner Fahlstedt scored twice, including the game tying marker with 6:39 left in the third and the game-winner on a power play 37 seconds into overtime to keep the winning streak alive. Brian Jones, another goalie making his NAHL debut, stopped 54 Bismarck shots, the second most saves in a game by a Wildcats' goalie and the most since Phil Graveline's 57-save effort against Kenai River in 2009.
While it's odd to call the fourth game of a 58-game season a must-win, Saturday morning's game was indeed a must-win for the Wildcats to keep their championship banner hopes alive. Three other teams had 3-0 records, and two of them faced each other in the afternoon, guaranteeing that at least one team would go 4-0 on the week. On paper, it looked like an easy win against an Aberdeen team that had given up at least six goals in each of its previous games, but the Wings took flight and used their speed effectively against the Wildcats. Nearly half the game was spent tied at various points from 0-0 up to 3-3. Dakota Klecha was the man of the hour once again, scoring with 2:55 to play, giving the Wildcats a 4-3 win. With his second game-winner of the week, he may consider changing his name to Dakota "Clutch-a."
The Wildcats would have to play the waiting game, needing Topeka to beat Janesville, but by less than four goals. With two goals from former Wildcat Michael Hill, the Roadrunners did exactly that with a 3-1 win over the Jets, securing the Showcase championship for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats will play their first home game this weekend against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Friday's game starts at 7:05 pm. They will face the Amarillo Bulls on Saturday, also at 7:05. You can get an upper level ticket for each of the two games for only $15. And college students can sit in our college section for only $6 per game, all season long!
Preview: 9/25 vs. Fairbanks and 9/25 vs. Amarillo
The Wildcats will kick off the season's home schedule this weekend with a game each against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and the Amarillo Bulls. Both games will start at 7 pm.
Fairbanks went 3-0-1 in Minnesota, with wins over New Mexico, Aberdeen, and Chicago, and an overtime loss against Austin. Their leading scorer is a familiar one to Wildcats fans: J.T. Osborn has five goals and an assist for 6 points after playing last year in Wichita Falls. Joe Phillippi returns for this his third year in goal.
Amarillo is a new team in the NAHL this year, taking over the place of the former Albert Lea Thunder. They went 3-1-0 at the Showcase, beating Michigan, Port Huron, and St. Louis, while dropping a decision to Fresno. Joe Kozlak, Chris Cass, and Matt Johnson lead the Bulls in scoring, each with two goals and two assists. Nikifor Szczerba, a goalie for Albert Lea last season, returns in net this year. So far, he is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and a .929 save percentage.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
Open skating: Post-game Friday and Saturday, as well as Sunday, September 26, 3-5 pm; $7 includes skate rental, $5 if you have your own skates.
Broomball, adult hockey, and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the Ice Events Schedule, to be posted soon on the Games and Ice Events page! Any questions about our ice programs? Contact Justin in the Wildcats office, 940-716-5587.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2010
- Monsters Weekly - Fresno Monsters
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Jeremy on the Roof: Opening Night Will be a Sellout, Or Else - Wenatchee Wild
- Bulls to Host Season Ticket Holder Party on Wednesday - Amarillo Bulls
- Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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.
