Wildcats Play Six Up North
Published on February 9, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
After an extended homestand, the Wildcats went up to Alaska for three games each against the Alaska Avalanche and the Kenai River Brown Bears, the first meetings with these teams in the 2008-09 season.
Friday January 30 was the first of the three games between the Wildcats and the Avalanche. The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead in the third period, courtesy of goals by Jason Nash and Chad Hudson, but the Avalanche came back for four goals, including three in the span of four and a half minutes, to take a 5-2 lead. Wildcats' captain Brett Hartung scored a goal in the final minute with the net empty and an extra attacker on the ice, but Alaska was able to weather the storm for a 5-3 victory.
Saturday featured more of the same, with Alaska jumping out to a two-goal lead in the middle of the first period and retaining the lead until the 2:56 mark of the third, when Sean McKenzie got the Wildcats on the board, assisted by Aaron Quick and Ryan Amin. However, the Avalanche would get their two-goal lead back two minutes later, taking the game by a 3-1 score. Goalie Phillip Graveline stopped 24 of 27 Avalanche shots in the loss.
The Wildcats did manage to leave Wasilla with one point at least, with Tuesday's game being a 4-3 shootout loss to the Avalanche. The Wildcats scored early this time, taking a 2-0 lead on power play goals by Brett Kaneshiro (assisted by Ryan Amin and Chad Hudson) and Adam Kuhn (assisted by Kaneshiro and Mike Jarboe). The Avalanche would go into the locker room tied though, scoring two in the final seven minutes of the period. Adam Kuhn scored his second goal of the game early in the second period, but the Avalanche fought back and tied the game again midway through the period. With no scoring in the third or overtime, the game went to a shootout. Matt Kenline beat Alaska goalie Nathan Pellegrino, but Pellegrino stopped the other 8 Wildcats' shooters, while the Avalanche were able to get two past Mike Jarboe for the 4-3 victory.
After the three disappointing losses, the Wildcats set out to come away from the trip with a few victories, picking up wins in their first two games against the Kenai River Brown Bears. Thursday night saw the Wildcats exploding for three goals before the Brown Bears could respond. Sean McKenzie gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the second on the power play, followed by Chad Hudson and Jeff McNeil each scoring even-strength markers for a 3-0 lead. Kenai River eventually got one past goaltender Phillip Graveline at the 10:41 mark of the third, spoiling Graveline's attempt at his second shutout of the season. The Wildcats would add an empty-net goal from Victor Karlsson with 2:45 remaining to seal the 4-1 victory. Hudson, Brett Hartung (who had two assists), and Graveline were named the three stars of the game.
It took extra time for the Wildcats on Friday night, but they came away once again with two points, beating the Brown Bears 3-2 in a shootout. Once again the Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead off goals from defensemen Jason Nash and Brett Kaneshiro, but the Brown Bears managed to tie the game late, with a power play goal at the 16:48 mark, then one with an extra attacker on the ice with 8 seconds remaining. This time, the Wildcats would attain victory in the shootout. Scoring for the Wildcats in the shootout were Victor Karlsson, Chad Hudson, and Sean McKenzie, while Phillip Graveline stopped 3 of 5 Kenai River shots. He also made a team-record 57 saves on 59 shots in the game and was named first star.
Saturday night was another close affair which again came down to the final minutes. But this time it was Kenai River finding the winning goal with under two minutes to play. The score was constantly back and forth, with the Wildcats going up 1-0 on Anthony Iaquinto's power play goal in the first, but Kenai River came back in the second to take a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats tied it back up with another Iaquinto goal, followed by a Kenai River tally, and then another Wildcat goal, this time from Zach Rourke, tying things at 3 apiece. The game stayed tied until the final two minutes, when at the 18:47 mark, the Brown Bears found the back of the net, and held on for a 4-3 victory.
Overall, the Wildcats picked up five points on their trip through Alaska. They are in third place in the NAHL South Division with a record of 18 wins, 17 losses, and 8 overtime losses. Their 44 points give them a 13-point cushion over the fourth-place Springfield Jr. Blues, but also 26 points behind the second-place St. Louis Bandits.
Upcoming Home Games
The Wildcats return home this weekend, February 13 and 14 against the St. Louis Bandits. Friday is College Night, where anyone with a valid college ID can get into the game for $5. Saturday is R.D. Gulley Jewelers Night. They will be giving away a piece of jewelry to a lucky fan!
Wildcats in the Community
The Wildcats will be at Double Dave's Pizza on Kemp Blvd. this Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm, signing autographs and visiting with fans, so come on down and meet the team!
Wildcats Alumni Report
Chris Ochoa is tied for the team lead in goals for the University of Connecticut Huskies. He has scored 10 in 26 games, including one in a 5-3 loss to Holy Cross on Friday, January 30.
January 30 and 31 saw a matchup of two former Wildcats' teammates, as Ohio State, with defenseman Sean Duddy, took on the Alaska Nanooks, with Adam Cardwell. Cardwell had a goal and an assist on the weekend, while Duddy did not figure into the scoring. Alaska won on Friday 4-1, but Ohio State took Saturday's game 6-2.
Luke Salazar currently leads the Denver University Pioneers with 12 goals in 24 games. His 18 points are sixth on the team, and third among the team's freshmen.
Skylur Jameson tallied four assists for the Wentworth Bulldogs in a 10-0 victory over the Becker Hawks on February 4. He now leads the team in scoring with 33 points from 12 goals and 21 assists. Dave Lewandowski also added a goal and an assist in the win.
Eddie Effinger has four goals and four assists on the season with the Amherst Lord Jeffs, including a goal in Friday's 4-3 victory over the Bowdoin Polar Bears.
Nick Ghidina scored his first goal of the season for the Lake Forest Foresters in a 7-1 loss to St. Scholastica on January 30. Ghidina also has three assists on the season with his goal.
Andrew Conboy has signed his first professional contract, going to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. The Bulldogs are the top affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Andrew will be eligible to make his professional debut on February 11 vs. the Hershey Bears.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2009
- Outlaws and Three Eagles Partner to Help St. Judes - North Iowa Outlaws
- Bobcat Goalies Earn Honors - Bismarck Bobcats
- IceDiggers get Back on Track - NAHL
- Rangers Off to the Races - Marquette Rangers
- Nick Kenney Named Player of the Week Again - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats Play Six Up North - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Outlaws' on Four-Game Winning Streak - North Iowa Outlaws
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
