Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider

Published on February 14, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


The Wildcats' winning streak ended at four games, as they split a two-game set against the Amarillo Bulls with a 4-3 overtime victory on Wednesday and a 2-1 loss on Friday.

The Wildcats scored three unanswered on Wednesday night in their 4-3 victory, never holding the lead until they took home the win. Amarillo scored with Brooks Behling netting a puck from a tough angle for the early 1-0 lead. The Wildcats tied things a few minutes later as Ryan Frost scored on a scramble in front off assists from Will Suter and Mikhail Sentyurin. But Amarillo would finish the opening period with a 2-1 lead on an unassisted Cody Freeman goal. Zack Smoot added the second period's lone goal to extend Amarillo's advantage out to 3-1.

Time ticked down on the Wildcats and it looked like it might run out on them until a late surge tied the game at 3-3. Dakota Klecha scored on a two-man power play with 5:49 left, followed by Ryan Frost scoring the tying marker on a power play with 3:17 to play. Joe Adams, Miha Stebih, and Suter all picked up assists.

It barely took a minute of overtime play before the Wildcats' second line struck again for a game-winner. Tanner Fahlstedt scored his second OT game winner of the season off a Klecha assist to give the Wildcats two points in the standings. Eric Garavaglia stopped 37 of 40 shots in the game.

Friday was a rough and tumble affair but features limited scoring as the Wildcats fell 2-1. Amarillo jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, a period that was punctuated by 56 penalty minute-13 minors, two majors, and 2 misconducts. The rough stuff continued over to the second period as all five skaters for the teams dropped the gloves for some hand-to-hand combat off the opening faceoff. Goalie Eric Garavaglia even skated out to challenge Amarillo goalie Nikifor Szczerba, who declined the invitation to dance.

The fighting sparked the Wildcats and the home crowd, and also helped to calm things down a tad. After over 100 penalty minutes were handed out for the brawl, only 11 minor penalties (22 minutes) were called throughout the final 40 minutes. Nick Marsh, getting some rare power play ice, got the Wildcats on the board 5:24 into the second off assists from Fahlstedt and Keil Zornow. But that's all either team would muster, as Amarillo's defense went into full lockdown mode, limiting the Wildcats to only 4 shots on goal in the final period to preserve the victory. Szczerba stopped 24 of 25 shots, while Tyler Green stopped 31 of 33.

WEEKEND NOTES: Forward Richard Young made his debut on Friday after being acquired from the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. He picked up 10 penalty minutes in the second period brawl. The Wildcats had a season-high 13 power play opportunities on Friday but only could convert on one. The penalty killing success continued for the Wildcats, killing 8 of 9 on the weekend. Since the start of the current homestand, the Wildcats are 29 of 30 on the PK.

Preview: 2/18-19 vs. Texas Tornado

The Wildcats will take on the third-place Texas Tornado this weekend. The Wildcats beat them 4-2 back on February 4 at the Kay Yeager Coliseum and are 1-3-0 against the Tornado this season.

The Tornado are led in goals and points by Jackson Leef (18 goals, 26 assists, 44 points), while Ralfs Freibergs is the team leader in assists with 34. The Tornado made several major deals just before the trading deadline, bringing in defensemen Walker Hyland and Tom Rizzardo, along with forwards Brett Hebel, Jimmy Murray, and Seth Johnson. They shipped out leading goal scorer Rock Einersen, forwards Sean Heidrick and Patrick Gregory, and defensemen Rob Heath, Rodney Lalonde and Donald Olivieri.

CMN Auction is Saturday!

Let the bidding begin! The annual "Jersey Off Our Backs" auction benefiting Children's Miracle Network will take place this Saturday at the Kay Yeager Coliseum following the game against the Texas Tornado. Stay after the game for the auction and help the Children's Miracle Network. Over the years, the Wildcats have raised roughly half a million dollars for CMN, much of which has come via the annual jersey auction.

Hockey Weekend Across America!

This weekend is USA Hockey's Hockey Weekend Across America! It encourages hockey fans to support the sport in any way possible and show their love for the game. Friday is "Wear Your Favorite Jersey" Day. Get out your favorite jersey (or sweater, as is the terminology some prefer) and wear it to work, to school, out shopping, or to a game (Wildcats vs. Tornado that night-hint hint!). Saturday is "Bring a Friend to the Rink" Day (well, lookie there-- Wildcats vs. Tornado again, so bring a friend to the game!) so you can help your friends get to understand what hockey is all about. Sunday is "Honor Local Hockey Heroes" Day. So help USA Hockey and the Wildcats celebrate Hockey Weekend Across America! Check out USAHockey.com for more information.

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

Hellooooo hot streak! Sort of. Dan Sexton picked up a pair of assists this past week as the Anaheim Ducks won all three of their games on a Canadian road swing. Sexton is at 3-6-9 on the season and was a +1 during the three games north of the border.

Andrew Conboy stepped back into the lineup for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs this week after sitting out 3 weeks with a knee injury. He had a goal and an assist in three games.

Kyle Kraemer picked up a pair of goals last weekend as the Ontario Reign split two games with the Bakersfield Condors in ECHL action. The goals were Kraemer's first since December 28.

He's moving on up! Chad Costello got called up to the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters this week. He made his debut on Saturday, a win against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Costello had points in 17 straight CHL games at the time of his callup.

Jack Wolgemuth scored twice on Sunday-once shorthanded and once on the power play-- leading the Mississippi Surge to a 3-1 victory over Huntsville in the SPHL.

Kyle Delaurell had two goals and an assist in Air Force's 5-4 overtime loss to Niagara on Saturday.

Skylur Jameson had two goals and an assist, while brother Shaun Jameson had two assist in a pair of Wentworth victories.

Eddie Effinger scored two goals and added two assists in a 2-0 weekend for Amherst.

Joel Sauer picked up a goal and an assist as Augsburg beat St. Olaf twice.

Nick Hopper stared down 45 shots, stopping 44 in Wisconsin-Stout's 5-1 win over St. Norbert on Saturday.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2011


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