Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider
November 15, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Wildcats lose early lead, game 6-3
Eerily and unfortunately similar to the last time these two teams played, the Wildcats couldn't hold a 2-0 lead midway through the game and lost to the Amarillo Bulls 6-3. Back on October 22 in Amarillo, the Wildcats led 2-0 only to go on to lose 5-3.
Things looked good for the first 30 minutes as the Wildcats outplayed the Bulls for much of the game. Power play goals from Mikhail Sentyurin and Dakota Klecha gave the 'Cats a 2-0 lead at the end of the first, a lead they would hold until the middle of the second period: a time of the game that has been a problem for the Wildcats this season. It was the Ricky DeRosa show for a span of 6:10 in the period. The Bulls forward scored his first, second, and third NAHL goals to give the Bulls a 3-2 lead. Two of those goals lifted the Bulls from a 0-for-53 power play funk.
The 'Cats tied things again in the third as Mattia Bortolotto put in his first NAHL goal on a wrap-around to make it three-all, but the Bulls pulled away with three more goals in the final ten minutes, including DeRosa scoring his fourth of the game into an empty net with 13 seconds left to put the nail in the coffin.
The Wildcats face the Texas Tornado for the first time since the preseason on Wednesday night at the Kay Yeager Coliseum, then go out to play two games against the Bulls in Amarillo on Friday and Saturday. The Wildcats remain in second place in the South Division, ahead of Amarillo by three points, and trailing Texas by seven.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats' second line and second power play units have come on strong over the past few weeks. Dakota Klecha, Tanner Fahlstedt, Drew Allen, and Mikhail Sentyurin (who takes Allen's spot on the power play) have scored five of the Wildcats' last nine goals. The Bulls did a good job of bottling up the Wildcats' top line of Mac Olson, Ryan Frost, and Sean Keane: the trio was a -5 with 8 PIM and only an assist (Olson on Klecha's goal).
$3 tickets Wednesday!
Looking for some inexpensive and fun midweek entertainment? Check out the Wildcats on Wednesday, November 17 against the rival Texas Tornado and sit in the upper level for only $3! It's a perfect night out for your family, church group, or business. It's the first game of the season against the Tornado, always a big enemy of the Wildcats. Call the Wildcats' office for group ticket information, 940-716-5587.
Preview: 11/17 vs. Texas, and 11/19-20 at Amarillo
It's back to a busy schedule again as the Wildcats will play at home Wednesday against the Texas Tornado, then hit the road for two games out west in Amarillo Friday and Saturday.
The Wildcats have yet to face the Tornado in the regular season this year but the two teams are quite familiar with each other. All-time, the Wildcats are 23-30-5 against their enemies from Frisco. The Wildcats were 6-4-2 against them last year, including winning their last four matchups. Key names to watch out for in Texas are Ralfs Freibergs, Rock Einersen, and Jimmy Kruger. Freibergs may only have two goals on the season, but it is his passing that has put him in the lead on their team in points. He is tied for fourth in the league with 20 assists. Einersen was an early leader in the NAHL's goal scoring race with 13 goals in his first 11 games before an injury put him on the shelf for six games. Kruger has been solid in net for the Tornado, going 9-0-0 with a 1.44 GAA and .943 save percentage since being acquired from Alexandria on October 1. It's also the return of Taylor Herndon to the KYC for the first time. He was a member of the 2009-10 Wildcats, scoring 5 goals with an assist and 22 PIM in 24 games.
Meanwhile the Bulls, as seen this past week, are certainly a tough team as well. The Wildcats are 1-2-0 against them this season. Key players for them include leading scorer Zack Smoot, captain and top defenseman Derek Hills, and the previously mentioned Ricky DeRosa. Nikifor Szczerba has been strong in goal for them and is top five in the NAHL in GAA and save percentage.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show continues this week at Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Boulevard! Come down and hear Drew and the coaches talk about this past week's games against Corpus Christi, and see what's in store as the Wildcats play against the Amarillo Bulls. 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.
Come play in the broomball league! We're looking for teams for the Wildcats' adult broomball league. Price is $50 per player for a 10-game season. Get a team together with your co-workers and friends, or sign up solo and be placed on a team. Call the office for details, 940-716-5587.
Alumni Report
Dan Sexton was sent to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch to begin rehabbing from a broken nose suffered in late October. In his first game there back on Friday, he was involved in all three of the Crunch's goals in a 3-0 victory over Albany. He assisted on a goal in each of the first two periods, then added a goal of his own in the third. He was named first star of the game.
Kyle Kraemer is on the 21-day injured reserve list with the ECHL's Ontario Reign. He took a knee-to-knee hit from Victoria's Derek Couture back on October 27. Couture was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for the hit, as well as a second major penalty when he dropped the gloves with Ontario's David Walker immediately afterward.
Chad Costello leads the CHL's Tulsa Oilers in scoring with 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points in 12 games. He had a goal and an assist plus the shootout winner Friday against Colorado in a game that also featured a goalie fight late in the first period. He was named the second star of the game.
Jack Wolgemuth tallied three assists on the weekend as the Mississippi Surge went 2-1 against Fayetteville and Columbus in the SPHL.
Luke Salazar continued his hot streak, scoring three goals and adding an assist as the Denver Pioneers beat Minnesota State twice, 3-2 Friday and 6-1 Saturday.
Brett Hartung picked up his second goal of the season in Bentley's 6-2 win over Sacred Heart on Wednesday.
Cal Heeter out-dueled Drew Palmisano on Friday as Ohio State beat Michigan State 4-3 in overtime. Heeter stopped 31 of 34 shots in the victory.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2010
- Hill Commits to UAF - Topeka Pilots
- Wenatchee Wild Series Preview Notes V. Alaska Avalanche - Wenatchee Wild
- Monsters Weekly - Fresno Monsters
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Rays Report #2: Road Trip - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls Win 5th in a Row - Amarillo Bulls
- Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jordan Davis Shines as 'Runners Sweep - Topeka Pilots
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