Wildcats continue dominance of IceRays
January 23, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats' players probably wish every game could be against Corpus Christi.
Coming into the weekend, the Wildcats were 3-1 against the IceRays at the Kay Yeager Coliseum and 1-1 at the American Bank Center in the 2011-12 season. Even last year, they were 7-3-2 against their foes to the south. Their hot streak continued this weekend as the Wildcats took four points, picking up a 4-2 win on Friday, and taking a 2-1 overtime decision on Saturday.
The 'Cats came out on fire Friday night, scoring a pair of first period goals while outshooting the IceRays 16-4. Matt Purmal scored his first NAHL goal, slapping home a rebound off a scramble in front of the net for a 1-0 lead. Tanner Fahlstedt and Brennen Parker assisted on it. Six minutes later, Renato Engler redirected a shot from Sergei Soloviev for a 2-0 score. Parker added his second assist of the night on the goal.
The IceRays broke through with a goal midway through the second period as Chris Taff put one in the net for a 2-1 game, but the Wildcats regained their two-goal lead just three and a half minutes later. Leading scorer Tanner Fahlstedt picked up a goal to go with his earlier assist, aided by Engler and Parker for a 3-1 game. Two minutes later, Tucker Poolman made it a 4-1 game, assisted by Tyler Bruneteau and Zach Pochiro. The goal drew complaints from the Corpus Christi bench as the net appeared to be off, but the goal stood. The IceRays added a goal to make things interesting late, but the Wildcats defense held strong for the victory. Matt Leon stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced in the win.
On Saturday, the Wildcats didn't hold the lead until the game-winning tally, taking a 2-1 overtime decision over the IceRays. Corpus Christi controlled the play early on, outshooting the Wildcats 25-18 through the first two periods, but once again Matt Leon stood strong in net, the only blemish coming via a Beau Walker power play goal on a blast from the point midway through the second.
In the third, the Wildcats struck back hard and while on the penalty kill, Tanner Fahlstedt and Chris Pontello got a two-on-one opportunity back the other way and Pontello buried his opportunity to tie things back up just five minutes into the third. Matt Purmal picked up the second assist. The Wildcats outshot the IceRays 12-7 in the final frame and had some chances with a late shortened power play, but couldn't break through.
The overtime period started three-on-three, followed by a short penalty kill for the Wildcats, but neither team could get anything on net. The first shot on goal of the extra time was the one that won it for the Wildcats: Tucker Poolman ripped off a tough-angle shot from the left wing that slipped under Anthony Stolarz's pads and into the net for a 2-1 victory. Purmal and Fahlstedt added the assists.
The Wildcats and IceRays will play again this week in Corpus Christi. The games are at 7 pm Thursday and Friday night.
WEEKEND NOTES: Matt Leon improved to 6-0-0 against the IceRays with a 1.16 GAA, a shutout, and a save percentage of .963. Renato Engler took over as captain on Friday following the trade of Brad Shumway to Chicago of the USHL. Shumway is the sixth former Wildcat currently in the Junior A, Tier I circuit (the others are Dennis Kravchenko with Cedar Rapids, Tyler Lundey with Dubuque, Will Suter with Lincoln, Dakota Klecha with Muskegon, and Kevin Liss with Youngstown). In a separate trade, Luke Sandler was dealt to the Fresno Monsters. The Wildcats added two players from the NA3HL this week, bringing in Zach Mohr from the Metro Jets, and Nate Myeroff from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks. Jason Eddy missed this weekend's games with a two-game suspension following a hit last Sunday against New Mexico. He is eligible to return to the lineup this week.
Preview: Wildcats vs. Corpus Christi, January 26-27
The Wildcats look to continue their mastery of the IceRays this week as they play two games at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi on Thursday and Friday night. So far, the Wildcats are 6-2-0 against the IceRays this season. All-time, the Wildcats are 13-3-2 against them.
Tanner Fahlstedt has averaged more than a point per game against the IceRays this season, scoring three goals and adding five assists in seven games played. Renato Engler also has three goals against Corpus Christi in seven games played. Joe Ginley is the IceRays' top scorer against the Wildcats with a goal and six assists-seven points in 8 games. Michael Dery is their top goal scorer with three in five games played against the 'Cats.
The IceRays are fourth in the NAHL South Division with 39 points. The Wildcats trail them by 8. The IceRays also have two games in hand over the Wildcats.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
Win a Wildcats' blanket! We're giving a few away, so text WFWildcats1 to 72727 for your chance to win!
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at P2 The Deuce downtown on Tuesdays at 7 pm. The Voice of the Wildcats, Drew Pelto, will interview the Wildcats' coaches and your favorite Wildcats' players. If you can't get to the show, tune in on the radio at 7:30 pm on 94.9, KOLI, The Outlaw.
Adult hockey and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! We also offer birthday party packages at a Wildcats game or an open skating session. Any questions about our ice programs? Contact Sarah Scrivner in the Wildcats office.
Alumni Report
NORTH AMERICAN PRO LEAGUES
AHL
Dan Sexton bounced back from a cold streak with a goal and two assists on Friday in Syracuse's 6-3 win over former Wildcats' coach Mike Flanagan and his Norfolk Admirals. Sexton's goal was the eventual game-winner. He was also a +4 and named third star of the game.
Chad Costello was once again called up to the AHL, signing a PTO with the Worcester Sharks after playing earlier this season with the Springfield Falcons. In two games with the Sharks this weekend, he had two assists.
ECHL
Kyle Kraemer is on a three-game scoring streak, tallying two goals and two assists in that span. The Ontario Reign are 2-1 during his streak.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 1
Brian Sheehan put up a goal and an assist in Sacred Heart's 4-3 loss to Canisius on Sunday.
COLLEGE, DIVISION 3
Ryan Frost had a goal in Castleton's 3-2 win over University of New England.
Brandon Stroud put up four goals and an assist as Western New England split their weekend. They beat Suffolk 9-1 and lost to Johnson and Wales 6-4.
Jason McAloon had two goals and an assist for Lake Forest in a pair of losses to Finlandia.
Kyle Gallegos had two assists as Tufts beat Wesleyan 5-4 on Sunday.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2012
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- Tornado acquire goaltender Frederick Leisner from Aberdeen - Texas Tornado
- Wildcats continue dominance of IceRays - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Jets Skaters as Waiters Event Benefits the United Way of North Rock County - Janesville Jets
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