Wildcats pick up 3 points against Tornado

December 15, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


Staring a 14-point deficit in the face as of December 3, the Wildcats have now cut that deficit in half, aided in part by gaining three points in two games this past weekend against the Texas Tornado. Friday night saw the Wildcats picking up a 5-2 victory, while dropping a shootout loss on Saturday 5-4.

On Friday, Taylor Herndon led the way with two goals, including what would amount to the game-winner as the Wildcats took down the Texas Tornado 5-2.

"We're getting some good production out of our lower lines," said head coach John Bowkus.

Brandon Stroud's power play goal gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the first. Stroud's goal, his first points in his last 9 games, was assisted by Ian Young and Adam Kuhn. The Tornado would tie the game a minute into the second, but the Wildcats would take the lead for good with two goals in the span of 20 seconds. Tyler Lundey and Taylor Herndon each scored for the 3-1 lead.

Texas would cut the deficit in half late in the period, but not long after, a curving Zach Ledford shot fooled Tornado goaltender Dan Sullivan to give the 'Cats a 4-2 lead. Herndon would add his second midway through the third period.

Typical of most Wildcats-Tornado matchups, the game featured a total of four fights, including an ejection of Texas' Ian Braun in the third.

Saturday night saw a constant back and forth game through the 65 minutes played, as the Tornado never held the lead until winning 5-4 in the shootout.

"The second period was decisive," said Bowkus. While the teams were even on the scoreboard, the Tornado put 20 shots on goal. Aside from the first period, the Tornado outshot the Wildcats 34-22.

The Wildcats broke through early with goals from Aaron Quick and Brian Sheehan in the opening period, but the Tornado would fight back to tie, scoring a shorthanded goal 10 seconds after Sheehan's goal, then tying the game at the 13:05 mark of the opening frame.

The Wildcats took a 3-2 lead early in the second off Bryan Kozlowski's third goal of the season, but the Tornado would re-tie the game less than a minute later. Sheehan scored his second of the night midway through the second, but again, the Tornado came back to tie things at 4 in the middle of the second.

The Wildcats' string of bad luck continued in the shootout, going 0 for 4, while the Tornado scored twice to take the winning point. Sheehan's two-goal effort got him an Honorable Mention in the race for Sherwood/NAHL South Player of the Week honors. He is currently tied for fourth in the league with 33 points, and leads the league with 21 goals.

The Wildcats will continue on the road this weekend, playing three games in Springfield, IL against the Junior Blues.

Free Tickets? Yes, it's true!

Help the Wildcats Pack the House on Wednesday January 6 as they take on the West Division leading Wenatchee Wild at 7:05 pm. All tickets anywhere in the rink are free for this game! We want a big loud crowd on hand to cheer on the Wildcats in this important game. Call the Kay Yeager Coliseum Box Office to get your tickets reserved now at 716-5555. Limit four tickets per person; for larger groups, you can get your tickets through the Wildcats' office at 716-5587. The tickets are free, but you must have one to get in the door!

Wildcats Alumni Update

Zach Josepher's third period goal kicked off the scoring for the Michigan State Spartans in a 3-2 win over Bowling Green. The Spartans were down 2-0 entering the final period before Josepher's goal got them going on the scoreboard. It was the freshman's third goal of the season, best among Spartan defensemen.

Sexton Watch

Dan Sexton has been a scorer at every level of hockey. As a Wildcat he was second on the 2005-06 team with 59 points and third in goals with 22. He tied for fourth on the Sioux Falls Stampede in goals in 2006-07, then led them with 8 goals in 8 playoff games. In two years of college at Bowling Green State University, he put up 24 goals, including a team-leading 17 last season. After tallying a hat trick earlier in the season in the ECHL and a goal in a week in the AHL, the 22 year old winger scored not just his first, but also his second NHL goal last Tuesday in a come-from-behind victory over the Dallas Stars. Sexton's second goal tied the game and he was named the game's first star. Sexton struck again for a goal and an assist in an overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, then scored his fourth goal of the season on Saturday in a 3-1 victory over Columbus. The rookie forward has four goals (in 18 shots on goal for a 22.2% shooting percentage) and an assist for five points in five NHL games. He is also a +5 with 2 PIM.

The mainstream sports media has caught Sexton-mania as well. From the Yahoo! Sports Puck Daddy blog.

Dan Sexton has found instant chemistry with linemates Bobby Ryan and Saku Koivu since being called up from the AHL. The trio has combined for seven goals and eight assists in the last three games. Quite a season, too, for Sexton, who has played in the ECHL (13-13-26 in 18 games for Bakersfield), AHL (1-2-3 in five for Manitoba) and now NHL (4-1-5 in five).

Dan Sexton: The first former Wichita Falls Wildcat to enjoy NHL success!



North American Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2009


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