Wildcats Open Two-Game Set with Odessa
January 31, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats' nine-game home stand continues this weekend with a two-game series against the Odessa Jackalopes. Game notes are attached to this email. For further information regarding these or any other Wildcats games, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The Matchup Friday's contest marks the fifth of 10 regular-season head-to-head meetings between the Wildcats and Jackalopes. Following this weekend's series, the two teams will meet in Odessa on consecutive weekends starting Feb. 21. Wichita Falls is 4-0-0 against Odessa this season, outscoring the Jacks by a combined score of 16-5 in those meetings. The Wildcats are 16-8 all-time against Odessa, and have won 15 straight contests against the Jacks dating back to a 1-0 road loss on Nov. 9, 2012. Additionally, the 'Cats have won their last 10 games against Odessa at the Kay Yeager Coliseum, with their last home loss to the Jackalopes coming on March 30, 2012. Kyle Bauman (3-2--5) and Colin Staub (2-3--5) each have five points against Odessa this season, while Will Vosejpka has also scored three times against the Jacks.
Closer Look at the 'Lopes The Jackalopes skate into Wichita Falls after losing two of three to Amarillo last weekend. Odessa snapped Amarillo's nine-game winning streak with a 3-2 triumph on Friday, before losing the next two contests 8-0 and 4-1, respectively. The Jacks have scored a league-low 78 goals, and currently sit in last place in the South Division with 26 points in 41 games. Lukas Laub leads Odessa on offense with a 9-8--17 line, with Mathieu Briand chipping in eight goals and six assists as well. In goal, Yoshihiro Kuroiwa has appeared in 27 games, assembling a 7-18-0 mark with a 3.55 goals against average and a save percentage of .899. Eric Hancock has also played 18 games in net for the Jackalopes, going 5-9-2 with a 2.92 GAA and .909 save percentage.
Brahma Beatdown The Wildcats broke out of a slump in a big way on Wednesday, thrashing the Lone Star Brahmas 7-2 to end a six-game losing streak. Wichita Falls put 45 shots on goal in the contest, equaling their season-high for most shots on goal in a game. Will Vosejpka led the 'Cats attack with a season-high four points on two goals and a pair of assists, while Kirk Van Arkel and Rudy Junda each potted a pair and tallied an assist. Kyle Bauman also had a strong night, with a goal and two assists, and David Zevnik stopped 24 shots to earn his 14th win of the season. The Wildcats are now 4-1 against Lone Star with the victory, and have outscored the Brahmas 22-5 in three games at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Double Down While ten different skaters recorded at least one point in the Wildcats' 7-2 win on Wednesday, just three players accounted for six of the seven goals. Will Vosejpka, Rudy Junda and Kirk Van Arkel each scored twice for Wichita Falls, marking the first time this season that the 'Cats have had three players record multi-goal outings. Individually speaking, Wednesday's contest was the third time Vosejpka has tallied twice in a game this season, having previously done so against Odessa on Oct. 11 and Nov. 8 against Lone Star. Junda's two-goal night was his second of the year, after scoring twice in a 7-1 win against Brookings on Sept. 19, while Van Arkel's strong showing marked his first two-goal night as a member of the Wildcats.
The Century Club With the 2013-14 season two-thirds complete, a number of veteran Wildcats are approaching a career milestone. Forwards Colin Staub and Kyle Bauman both skated in their 100th games against the Lone Star Brahmas on Wednesday, while Tyler Ledford's next game will be his 100th career contest. A number of other Wildcats are approaching the century mark in that category as well, including forwards Will Vosejpka (96 career games played), Nick Farmer (93) and Ben Kucera (97), and defensemen Jake Townsend (91) and Kristaps Bazevics (91).
Trio Tapped for Top Prospects Tournament The North American Hockey League announced the teams for the 2014 Top Prospects Tournament, with three Wildcats players earning a roster spot. Defenseman Sam Piazza, forward Kyle Bauman and goaltender David Zevnik will all skate for the South Division team at the annual event. Piazza and Zevnik are participating in their first Top Prospect event, while this will be Bauman's second after being selected in 2013. This year's Top Prospect Tournament will take place from Feb. 17-19 in Troy, Mich.
Broadcast Information Fans may follow the weekend's action in a variety of ways. Video streaming is available on FASTHockey.com, with an audio-only broadcast available by visiting our Ustream channel. Fans can also follow along on Twitter (@WFWildcats) for score updates throughout the contest.
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