Wildcats keep close but can't finish in Amarillo
December 11, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats held the lead for four minutes but couldn't match a third period Amarillo goal en route to a 4-3 loss to the Bulls on Sunday. Ben Kucera had a goal and two assists as his line was responsible for all three Wildcat goals.
Omar Mullan got the Bulls on the board midway through the opening period with a shot from the top of the left wing circle for a quick 1-0 Amarillo lead. The Bulls outshot the Wildcats 11-4 in the opening period, but Evan Cowley shut the door on the Bulls aside from the Mullan goal.
The Wildcats struck back quickly in the second period, scoring only 52 seconds into the period with Colin Staub evening things up, followed by Kyle Bauman giving the Wildcats the lead at the 4:39 mark. The Bulls came back hard, outshooting the Wildcats 20-12 in the period, including tying the game and taking the lead only 1:13 apart on goals from Brady Ferguson and Matt Sieckhaus. The Wildcats faced some penalty trouble, having to kill off a slashing minor only seven seconds after the Bulls took the lead, then facing a double-minor on Charlie Hemstrom, who was also ejected following a check from behind. The penalty-killing units held strong though, silencing Amarillo and burning through the clock on five penalties.
The Wildcats picked up the pace, getting the final six shots on goal of the period, with one finding the back of the net from Ben Kucera to tie things once again at 3-3 with under a minute to go in the second.
Both teams had their chances in the third, but Amarillo picked up the only goal as Ryan Cole kept hacking at a loose puck on the doorstep before it slipped in for a 4-3 Amarillo lead with 16:58 to play.
Evan Cowley stopped 37 of 41 Amarillo shots, while at the other end Amarillo's Paul Berrafato had 21 saves on 24 shots.
NOTES: The Wildcats acquired defenseman Dan Vaysberg who made his debut on Sunday. He assisted on Bauman's goal and was a +2.
AROUND THE SOUTH DIVISION: Texas swept Corpus Christi with 7-2 and 5-3 victories. Amarillo beat Odessa twice to pull off a perfect weekend, winning 4-1 and 3-1. Topeka split with Springfield, winning 7-2 Friday before losing 3-2 Saturday in a game that featured 255 penalty minutes meted out in a post-game brawl.
Scouting the Amarillo Bulls, December 31
The Wildcats are off for three weeks, but will hit the ice again on New Year's Eve as they take on the Amarillo Bulls out at the Amarillo Civic Center.
The Wildcats are 0-3 against the Bulls this season. The Bulls are led in scoring by T.J. Sarcona with 31 points in 27 games. Tyler Deresky and Mike Davis also have each averaged a point per game. Paul Berrafato has been their top goalie, going 15-1-2 in 19 games, with a GAA of 1.83 and save percentage of .915.
The Wildcats' next home games will be January 4 and 5 against Topeka.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at our new show host, El Mejicano on Wednesdays 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. All in attendance wearing a Wildcats' jersey will get 20% off! Please not that our show on December 12 will be our last until January 9.
Get out on the ice! We have our open skating schedule and prices updated through January 2 on the Games and Ice Events tab at WFWildcatsHockey.com. 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.
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And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @WFWildcats!
Alumni Report
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE
Chad Costello was named the Reebok Hockey ECHL Player of the Month for November. Costello scored eight goals and added 21 assists for 29 points and was a +8 in 13 games during the month. He has two goals and two assists so far in three December games.
Andrew Conboy had a goal and an assist in the Trenton Titans' 4-2 loss to Gwinnett on Sunday.
NCAA DIVISION 1
Brian Sheehan had a goal and an assist for Sacred Heart while Brad Shumway had two assists for RIT, as RIT won twice over the weekend.
Kyle Delaurell had a goal and three assists for Air Force, while former linemate Brett Hartung put up a goal for Bentley as Air Force won 7-4 on Friday.
NCAA DIVISION 3
Brett Kaneshiro picked up a pair of assists in Curry's 3-2 win over Skidmore on Saturday.
Zack Josepher had a pair of assists, including one on Saturday's overtime game-winner, as Oswego split a pair of 3-2 decisions-- a win over Hobart and a loss to Utica.
Kyle Gallegos had a goal and two assists in two losses for Tufts.
Jason McAloon had a goal and an assist Friday as Lake Forest beat St. Mary's 5-2.
Brandon Stroud had a goal and Andy Cramer picked up two assists on Friday as Western New England lost to Nazareth 9-6.
Ryan Frost assisted on a pair of goals, while Erick Cinotti stopped 20 of 22 in a 5-2 Castleton win over Skidmore Friday.
Alex Brooks assisted on three goals in Wisconsin-Stevens Point's 8-0 drubbing of Wisconsin-Stout.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2012
- Cedar Rapids Roughriders Call Up Mark Evan - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Jr. Blues to Face-Off Versus K-Wings Friday and Saturday - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Wildcats keep close but can't finish in Amarillo - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets Goalie Brock Kautz Named NAHL Star of the Week - Janesville Jets
- Weigman Named Central Star of the Week - Brookings Blizzard
- Jr. Blues Split Weekend Series - Springfield Jr. Blues
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