Wildcats Gain 5 Points Over the Weekend
February 16, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats had busy weekend, playing three consecutive games at home. The Cats hosted the Santa Fe Roadrunners on Friday and Saturday, and the Texas Tornado on Sunday. The Cats lost in overtime to Santa Fe on Friday 3-2, but came back on Saturday and defeated the Roadrunners 2-1. On Sunday the Wildcats hosted the league leading Texas Tornado and won 6-4. The wins over the weekend gave the Cats a boost in the league standings as they now sit only 2 points out of the last spot for the playoffs.
Friday was a defensive battle for most of the game with each goaltender making big saves in key situations. While the Wildcats were out shot in the game 23-34, goaltender Dan DiLeo kept them in the game with 32 saves. Chad Costello scored the first goal for the Wildcats with Jarrett Runey assisting. Skylur Jameson netted the second goal with assists by Niklas Flodin and Kevin Huck. The Roadrunners outscored the Wildcats in the shootout and won the game. Because the Cats lost in overtime they were awarded 1 point in the standings.
On Saturday the Wildcats were hungry for redemption. They had let a game slip away from them the night before and were not going to let it happen again. The defense was tough as they only allowed 23 shots on goal. Santa Fe scored their first and only goal of the game in the second period. The Wildcats were held scoreless until the third period when Chad Costello scored 2 goals and helped give the Wildcats a 2-1 victory. Chris Ochoa and Derek Hansberry assisted on the first goal, and Kyle Kraemer added an assist on Costello's second goal.
On Sunday the Wildcats hosted the Texas Tornado. The Tornado came in to the game boasting the best record in the NAHL. The Wildcats were not intimidated by the Tornado however as they scored 6 goals in the victory. The Cats came out of the gates hot and scored the first goal of the game with less than a minute off the clock. Kyle Kraemer scored the goal and was assisted by Kevin Huck and Jack Wolgemuth. The Cats were only getting started as they added two more goals in the first period. Kevin Huck scored a goal in the first period with assists by Niklas Flodin and Nick Swinteck. Derek Hansberry scored the third goal of the first period and he was assisted by Dave Lewandowski and Jack Wolgemuth. After one period of play the Wildcats were leading the Tornado 3-0. The Tornado scored back to back goals in the second period to make the score 3-2. Just as it looked like the Tornado might take control of the game Brent Sarcone added another goal for the Wildcats with assists by Dave Lewandowski and Derek Hansberry. The Cats were still not satisfied as only a minute later Andy Roberts got free on a breakaway and scored the fifth goal of the game. He was assisted by Derek Hansberry and Niklas Flodin. The Tornado scored 2 goals in the third period to pull within 5-4. The Tornado pulled their goalie in the last minutes of the game and the Wildcats Chad Costello sealed the victory with an open net goal that was assisted by Nick Klaren. The Final score of the game was 6-4.
The Wildcats had a big weekend defeating two of the top teams in their division, but head coach Brian Meisner knows that things are not going to be getting any easier for the Wildcats.
"We are glad we earned these 5 points over the weekend, but we have a tough schedule coming up against the top 2 teams in our division," said Meisner. "We must keep our focus and be ready to play because everything that we have accomplished could be lost."
Things are really starting to come around in Wildcat country as the Cats defeated the best team in the league on Sunday, and gained 5 points over the weekend helping them claw closer and closer to a spot in the playoffs. The Wildcats new goaltender Dan DiLeo has added a spark to the Wildcats as they are 5-0-3 since he joined the Wildcats. The Cats have a tough schedule ahead of them, but they will be playing the majority of their remaining games in Wichita Falls at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. The Cats are on a roll right now, and in order to continue winning they will need all the help they can get from the best fans in the NAHL. So come out and support your Wildcats!
North American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2005
- Junior Barons Sweep Weekly Honors - Cleveland Barons
- Jets Could Clinch Playoff Berth This Weekend - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Wildcats Gain 5 Points Over the Weekend - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Dog Pound Weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
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