Wildcats Extend Two Streaks with Home Victory over Amarillo
Published on February 27, 2016 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats extended their home winning streak to nine games and their winning streak over the Amarillo Bulls to eight games with a 3-1 victory on Saturday night.
Amarillo had much more jump in their step in the first period than they did the night prior. They got out to a quick lead in shots, testing Justin Kapelmaster early and often. It took the Wildcats a while to get off their heels, and they took several stick infractions in an effort to slow the Bulls down.
They turned the tide in their favor after the first period media timeout and began to tilt the ice their way. Anton Martinsson fought off all 17 tasks the Wildcats threw his way, while Kapelmaster denied all 13 he faced. Both goaltenders backstopped their teams to a scoreless first period.
Early in the second, he Cats finally solved Martinsson. Ben Lown sliced through the Amarillo defense and carried the puck into the Bulls' zone before releasing a quick wrist shot low on the glove side of the sturdy goaltender, igniting the KYC crowd.
Rourke Russell, playing in just his second game as a forward this season, smashed the puck past Martinsson after he conceded a rebound off a pad save made on Austin Albrecht. Russell ended a 26-game goalless drought with the tally. His long-awaited goal was quickly answered, however, as Coale Norris punched a rebound past Kapelmaster on a Bulls' power play for his second goal of the series.
Both teams came out a bit tentatively to start the third period, but by the end, each would generate several scoring chances. Both goaltenders stood tall and kept their teams in the game, but after Martinsson was pulled for a sixth attacker in the last minute of play, Austin Beaulieu stole the puck on the forecheck and backhanded it into the empty net.
Kapelmaster stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced for his 26th goal as a Wildcat, while Martinsson was charged with his 26th regulation loss despite denying 33 of 35 Wildcats shots. The Cats will host the Bulls again on Wednesday, March 2nd on $5 ticket night.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2016
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