Wildcats Climb to Fourth Place
March 7, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wichita Falls Wildcats completed a successful weekend, earning four points and passing the Springfield Junior Blues for fourth place in the NAHL south division. The Cats currently sit one point ahead of the Junior Blues, and hold the final playoff spot in their division. The Wildcats swept the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Friday and Saturday, and fell to the Texas Tornado on Sunday.
Friday night the Cats hosted the Fairbanks Ice Dogs for the first time of the season. The two teams battled back and forth with the Wildcats eventually winning in a shootout 5-4. The Wildcats got on the board first with a goal by Niklas Flodin five minutes into the game. The goal was assisted by Brent Sarcone. The Ice Dogs responded in the first period tying the score at 1-1. The Wildcats came out hot in the second period with Kevin Huck scoring a power play goal less than a minute into the second period. Chad Costello and Nick Klaren assisted on the goal. Less than a minute later Andy Roberts put the Wildcats up 3-1 with a goal that was assisted by Nick Swinteck and Brent Sarcone. The Ice Dogs scored back to back goals tying the score at 3-3. With less than five minutes to play in the third period Chris Ochoa put the Wildcats up 4-3. His goal was assisted by Andy Roberts and Jack Wolgemuth. The Cats could not hold onto the lead as the Ice Dogs tied the game in regulation. The game eventually went into a shootout where Chris Ochoa, the fifth and final shooter for the Wildcats, scored the game winning goal. Tom Billick was in the net for the Wildcats and he earned the win with 34 saves.
Saturday's game was a defensive minded one with both goalies stopping everything that came their way. The Wildcats prevailed in overtime 2-1 with goaltender Dan DiLeo making some key saves to keep the Cats in the game. The Wildcats did not score their first goal until the third period. The goal was scored by Kyle Kraemer and assisted by Kevin Huck and Chad Costello. The game went into overtime with the scored tied 1-1. In overtime Skylur Jameson got loose on a breakaway and scored the game winning goal. The goal was assisted by Dan Potton and Chris Ochoa.
The Cats hosted the league leading Texas Tornado on Sunday. They jumped out to a quick start scoring their first goal less than two minutes into the game. Drew Walters scored the goal with his brother Shea Walters, and Andy Roberts assisting. Andy Roberts scored the second goal for the Wildcats with Drew and Shea Walters assisting. The Cats were up 2-0 after one period of play, but could not put the Tornado away. The Tornado scored the final four goals of the game and went home with a 4-2 victory.
The Wildcats have six remaining regular season games on their schedule, and four of those games are at home. Every game they play is vital to their chances of making the playoffs this season. The Cats are going to need the help of all their fans in order to make into the playoffs this season, so come out and support your Wichita Falls Wildcats!!!
North American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2005
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- Wildcats Climb to Fourth Place - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- New Records, Three Wins and First Place Highlight Weekend for Jets - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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