Wildcats Claim Close One Over Corpus Christi
Published on October 25, 2013 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Wichita Falls Wildcats (10-2-3) needed a shootout for a third-straight game, but emerged victorious on Friday, as they beat the Corpus Christi IceRays (4-7-4), 2-1.
David Zevnik made 38 stops in regulation and overtime, plus another six in the eight-round shootout to earn his fifth win of the season. Jordan Jancze scored the Wildcats' lone goal in the contest, while Ben Kucera picked up the decisive tally in the shootout.
The IceRays got on the board first, courtesy of a power-play tally. Tony Roisum threw a shot towards the net that was deflected through the legs of Zevnik to make it 1-0 at 15:23 of the period.
The Wildcats wasted no time tying the score however, taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce to level the affair. Matt Koch sent a simple dump-in to the offensive zone. With IceRays' goalie Ben Myers out of his net to play the puck, it took an awkward carom off the boards right out to Jordan Jancze at the bottom of the circle, who stuffed it home. It was Jancze's sixth goal of the year, with the assist representing Koch's first North American Hockey League point.
The second period was marred by penalties aplenty for both teams, with twelve total infractions called in the frame, although neither team was able to cash in on their power play opportunities.
Neither team could find a goal in the third period nor the ensuing overtime session, so the game headed to a shootout.
Josh Haverstrom and Rudy Junda both found the back of the net for Wichita Falls in the first two rounds of the shootout, but Joe Costello and Martin Hojbjerg scored for the IceRays to force extra rounds. In the eighth round, Kucera stepped up and froze Myers before slipping a sneaky shot through the five-hole. Then, Corpus Christi's Jake Durflinger could not find a way to beat Zevnik, giving the Wildcats the win.
These two teams will meet again on Saturday, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2013
- Wildcats Claim Close One Over Corpus Christi - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Bobcats Top Minot 3-1 - Bismarck Bobcats
- 'Cats Crawl Away with 2-1 Shootout Victory over 'Rays - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Johnstown Tomahawks earn victory - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Gutsy Bruins Win 2-1 over Fairbanks - Austin Bruins
- Magicians Acquire Delaney from Tri City - Minnesota Magicians
- Jr. Blues Home Opener Friday and Saturday Night - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Player Profile: Vito Aluia - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Battle of Rt. 83 - Minot Minotauros
- Jansen nets hat trick, leads Coulee Region to 6-3 win over Janesville - Janesville Jets
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.
