Wildcats light lamp, but drop two close contests
November 18, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats played back to back home games for the first time this season, hosting the Springfield Spirit on Friday and the Texarkana Bandits on Saturday. While they fought hard, The âCats fell short both games losing 5-4 to the Spirit, and 6-5 to the Bandits.
The Wildcats hosted the Springfield Spirit on Friday night in a high-scoring contest. The Wildcats started the game off slowly, falling behind 3-1 at the end of the first period. The team stormed back into the game scoring three goals in the second period, tying the score at 4-4. But the Spirit scored the only goal in the third period, winning the game 5-4.
Brent Sarcone had three points on the night. He scored one goal and added two assists. Chad Costello and Dave Lewandowski each added two points with one goal and one assist apiece. Nick Klaren scored an unassisted goal for the Wildcats.
Saturday night was another high scoring affair, with the Bandits outlasting the Wildcats 6-5. The Bandits scored two early goals to lead the game 2-0 after one period of play. The Wildcats came out in the second period fired up scoring four goals, but they also gave up two more goals making the score tied at 4-4. The Bandits outlasted the Wildcats winning the game 6-5.
Sarcone again led the team in points with three on the game. He had three assists in the loss to Texarkana. Costello, Niklas Flodin and Kevin Huck each added two points. Costello had two goals, Flodin had one goal and one assist, and Huck added two assists.
The Wildcats scored nine goals and a total of 22 points over the weekend. Sarcone led the team in scoring with six points. He scored one goal and added five assists. Costello had four points, scoring three goals and netting one assist.
Things are looking promising for the Wildcats as their offense is becoming a serious threat to score at any time.
"We played well offensively, we just need to shore up our defensive side, and having this weekend off will give us the opportunity to do just that," said head coach Brian Meisner.
Wichita Falls Alumni Have Big Weekend: Many former players who played in Wichita Falls under current Wildcats coaches Brian Meisner and Mike Perkins are now competing at the college level. Under the teaching and guidance of these two coaches, many players were able to use Junior A hockey in Wichita Falls as a stepping stone to the college level.
Three former Wichita Falls players now in college have been performing particularly well as of late.
Derek Conter, who plays for Division I University of Alabama, Huntsville, scored a goal in a two game sweep over Air Force. This was his third goal in five games, as he has helped lead his team to a 6-1-1 record and first place in the CHA.
Joe VanCulin of Ferris State University had one goal and two assists in a two game sweep of University of Connecticut. VanCulin has been producing well, with a goal and four assists in his last 12 games.
Matt Tyree of Bentley scored a goal this weekend. This goal ties him for the team lead in goals with four in eight games.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2004
- One-goal losses plague Icedogs - Bozeman Icedogs
- Barons grab three points over rival Phantoms - Cleveland Barons
- Two Blizzard wins help create logjam atop NAHL West - Alexandria Blizzard
- Former IceDigger Zeman leading NCAA Division III in scoring - Alpena IceDiggers
- Wildcats light lamp, but drop two close contests - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets move into first place tie - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Weekend wins put Tornado atop NAHL once again - Texas Tornado
- Phantoms' win streak snapped at five - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Bobcats blast Bulls twice at home - Bismarck Bobcats
- NAHL names players of the week - NAHL
- NAHL races burning at the two-month mark - NAHL
- Bulls Campaign in West Division Parity - Billings Bulls
- Phantoms Could Take Over First Place - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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