Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider
March 7, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
In what could be viewed as a preview of a potential first-round playoff matchup, the Wildcats showed they still have problems with the Topeka Roadrunners, losing 5-0 and 4-3 to them in a two-game weekend series.
Thursday's game was all Topeka from the opening faceoff onward, as they scored 12 seconds into the game, and then scored four more, going 2 for 5 on the power play in a 5-0 victory. The loss was only the second time the Wildcats had been shut out all season. Tyler Green stopped 33 of 38 shots. The Wildcats offense was limited to only 9 shots on goal through the first 40 minutes of play.
Friday's game started out better but ended with a loss again as the Wildcats dropped a 4-3 decision. Mikhail Sentyurin got the Wildcats on the board midway through the opening period on a cross-crease feed from Will Suter for a 1-0 lead. It was Sentyurin's 17th of the year and 9th on the power play. With 1:20 left, Jason McAloon made it a 2-0 game off a Russell Blaser assist.
It is said that scoring a goal in the opening minute of a period can help a team set the tone for that period, and the Roadrunners did just that with a goal 40 seconds into the second. By the 15:07 mark of the period, they had added two more to take a 3-2 lead. Topeka would extend that lead out to 4-2 in the third before Ryan Frost cut the deficit back to just one goal with 6:05 to go, with Suter picking up assist number two on the night.
A late effort to tie things came up short and the Wildcats ended up on the short end of a 4-3 decision. Tyler Green stopped 31 of 35 Roadrunner shots.
In the race for the fourth and final South Division playoff spot, the Amarillo Bulls helped the 'Cats out, beating Corpus Christi 5-1 on Sunday. The Wildcats need a combination of 5 wins or IceRays losses to clinch the final spot.
WEEKEND NOTES: Ryan Frost missed Thursday's game due to illness. Jason McAloon stepped into his spot as the top-line right wing. Dakota Klecha is only the ninth NAHL player to record 20 goals and 200 PIM in a single season since 1994. Alaska's Zach Smith was the last to do it, with 30 goals and 228 PIM last season. Adam Kuhn did it in 2008-09 when he split the season between Motor City and Wichita Falls, tallying 21 goals and 237 PIM between the two teams.
Make-Up Date Announced for February 4 Game
The Wildcats and Texas Tornado will make up their canceled February 4 game next week, facing off on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 pm. All tickets for that game will be honored at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco. See you there!
Preview: 3/11-12 vs. Topeka Roadrunners and at Texas Tornado
The Wildcats and the Roadrunners will face off one final time before their potential first-round playoff matchup this Friday at 7:05 pm. The Wildcats are 0-5-1 against the South Division leaders so far this season.
The 'Runners are led in scoring by former Wildcat Michael Hill, who is second in the league in points (65) and goals (37). Ryan White leads the team with 31 assists.
The Wildcats will face the Tornado on Saturday at noon down in Frisco. The Wildcats are 1-5-0 against the Tornado this season, with that lone winning coming via a 4-2 score on February 5.
Jack Prince is Texas' top scorer this season, leading the team with 53 points. He and J.D. Howard are tied for the team lead in goals with 24 each, while Ralfs Freibergs leads in assists with 41.
Police and Fire Appreciation Night is this Friday!
It's Guns N' Hoses night again, as the Wildcats salute area police officers and fire fighters with FREE tickets to Friday's game at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. If you would like more information on the tickets, call the Wildcats' office at 940-716-5587.
Booster Club Poster Auction is also this Friday!
The Wildcats Price Booster Club will have its annual player poster auction this Friday. Place your bids at the Booster Club table on the main concourse and get your favorite player's poster!
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show will be held this Tuesday at the Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Blvd. Come on down and hear the voice of the Wildcats, Drew Pelto, talk to coaches Mark Larose and Thomas Billick about the week that was, as well as preview the week ahead. Plus, Drew will talk to one of your favorite players in the Talk to the Team segment. If you can't come out to the show, tune in on 94.9 FM, KOLI, at 7:30 pm.
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
Dan Sexton picked up an assist on Friday for his 11th point of the season in a 4-3 Anaheim win over the Dallas Stars.
Jack Wolgemuth had a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" consisting of a goal, an assist, and a fight on Wednesday as the SPHL's Mississippi Surge beat Louisiana 6-1. Wolgemuth scored a first-period power play goal, assisted on Chris Chambers' second period goal, and dropped the gloves with Louisiana's Jason Hill late in the second.
March Madness has begun in the hockey world as the NCAA's Division 3 teams begin their National Championship Tournament hunt. Hamline (Kyle Mattson), and Curry (Brett Kaneshiro) are two of the eleven teams in the title hunt.
The ACHA's Division 1 Tournament is down to its final four. #1 ranked Lindenwood (Adam Krefski, Brett Morrell, Mike Sturdevant) faces #5 Delaware, while #2 Davenport (Sean McKenzie, Adam Kuhn, Phil Graveline) takes on #3 Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2011
- Bobcats Team up with St. Baldrick's Again in 2011 - Bismarck Bobcats
- 'Rays Can't Fend off Amarillo, Fall at Home, 4-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls Rally Late for Win - Amarillo Bulls
- Hitmen Victimized by Bandits - Chicago Hitmen
- Amarillo Bulls Game Day Preview at Corpus Christi - Amarillo Bulls
- Fighting Falcons Return Home After Weekend - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- St. Louis Bandits Weekend Recap - St. Louis Bandits
- NAHL Top Prospects Tournament Another Success - NAHL
- Free Facepainting, Prizes, Autographs - St. Louis Bandits
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