Wildcats Clinch First Division Title in Franchise History despite Road Defeat
April 2, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats clinched their first South Division Title in franchise history Saturday night, despite falling 4-2 on the road to the Corpus Christi IceRays. The Rays earned their first sweep over Wichita Falls all season.
Another busy first period was underway for goaltenders Justin Kapelmaster and Dryden McKay. Of the 26 total shots which were taken, only Brenden Miller managed to score. He hauled the puck into the Wildcats zone and spun away from Trent Dillinger, causing him to lose his balance and open some ice. The remaining Wildcats who were back focused in on the IceRays who were just entering the zone, and Miller took advantage of the open space and stickhandled towards the front of the net and sniped a shot inside the far post to open the scoring. The first period ended with the shots even at 13 apiece.
Corpus Christi defied history again on Saturday night and came out rolling in the second period. After a lengthy surge in the attacking zone on a Wildcats power play, Brady Crabtree rifled a shot upstairs on Kapelmaster from the right circle for his team's second shorthanded goal of the night to make the score 2-0.
The Cats' woes on special teams did not end there. On just their second power play of the night, Mason Krueger spun with the puck and fired it into the near side of the goal, ending Kapelmaster's night as Julian Sime came in relief. Finally, the Wildcats managed to stop the bleeding after Nick Rosa redirected a point shot from Jeff Baum late in the second period.
Inserting Sime into the game ignited a spark for the Wildcats, who would outshoot the Rays heavily after the replacement was made. They outplayed Corpus to start the third period, and after nine grueling minutes in an effort to come within striking distance, Austin Albrecht finally tallied on a power play for his 25th goal of the season after scooping up a rebound which caromed off the end boards and right into his wheelhouse.
Rejuvenation was replaced by devastation on the Wildcats' bench just 19 seconds later. Mike Bevilacqua released a shot from the right point on the very next shift, which was tipped into the net by Steve Bryant to make the score 4-2. After battling for a period and a half to cut the score closer and then seeing their deficit double just like that, much of the wind was taken out of the Wildcats' sails. Despite another power play opportunity and an eventual sixth attacker, McKay's prominence in goal was just too much and the Cats fell 4-2.
Kapelmaster was charged with his 8th regulation defeat, stopping 13 of 16 shots. Sime denied eight of the nine shots he faced, while McKay backstopped his team to his 15th victory of the season, turning aside 37 of 39. The Wildcats have the chance to redeem themselves and eliminate the Rays from postseason contention on Fan Appreciation Weekend. All tickets to the home games on Thursday, April 7th and Friday, April 8th are free for everyone.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2016
- Bruins Clinch Playoff Spot with OT Win in Minot - Austin Bruins
- Jr. Blues Fall to Janesville - Springfield Jr. Blues
- IceRays Close Home Schedule with 4-2 Win - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Tomahawks close out 2015-16 campaign with 6-3 victory - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Runners Wrap Up Home Schedule With Loss - Topeka Pilots
- Wildcats Clinch First Division Title in Franchise History despite Road Defeat - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Playoff Push Update - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Pack the Odde Tonight - Aberdeen Wings
- Bindulis Named Team MVP - Philadelphia Rebels
- Rebels Win 6-3 to Clinch East Division Championship - Philadelphia Rebels
- Amarillo Bulls Fall 5-0 in Topeka - Amarillo Bulls
- Late Tally Lifts Bobcats over Magicians 3-2 - Bismarck Bobcats
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