Wildcats Power Play Propels them to Sixth Straight Victory
Published on March 11, 2016 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats extended their dominant season over the IceRays with a 3-1 victory on Friday night in Corpus Christi.
It did not take long for the Rays to excite their home crowd, which consisted of their customary 3,300 plus in attendance and a number of students on spring break. Colton Meekhof unloaded a one-timer from the left point which went through the screen and past Justin Kapelmaster to give the IceRays a 1-0 lead. It was the second consecutive meeting between these two teams in which Meekhof scored the first goal of the game.
The Rays had the first five shots of the game, but the Wildcats eventually tipped the scales in their favor and exited the ice with the shots level at 10 each. Dryden McKay made some strong stops, including a stellar point-blank save on Garrett Van Wyhe.
The second period was utterly dominated by Wichita Falls, who quintupled Corpus Christi in shots, 20-4. They moved the puck extremely well on the man-advantage, coming through on back-to-back power plays.
Noah Gilreath finished off a crisp passing play by blasting a one-timer off the near post and past McKay, beating him for the first time at the 28:14 mark of the game. Less than six minutes later, Austin Albrecht tapped the puck into a gaping net after he was given the puck wide open backdoor when Poikola drew two IceRay defenders to him in front of the goal. Albrecht was credited with his team-leading 49th point.
The Rays earned a few good scoring chances during the third period. Mason Krueger put the puck wide of the net on a partial breakaway, and a point shot hit Kapelmaster near the clavicle and stung him, concerning the Wildcats faithful greatly. However, he would finish out the game and remained strong, fighting off all six shots he faced in the final frame. Erich Jaeger scored his third goal in as many games played at the American Bank Center this season with a 100-foot empty net goal from center ice.
Kapelmaster was credited with his 28th win of the season with a 20-save night, while McKay was handed his 10th regulation defeat despite stopping 35 of 37 shots.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2016
- Bindulis' Blast Lifts Rebels to Victory - Philadelphia Rebels
- Offensive Expose - Lone Star Brahmas
- Dalton Skelly Commits to Holy Cross - Lone Star Brahmas
- Sjodahl's hat trick not enough in 6-4 Loss - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bobcats Headed Back to Playoffs Despite OT Setback - Bismarck Bobcats
- Paganelli's OT Goal Boosts Bruins over First Place Bismarck - Austin Bruins
- Jr. Blues Take Down Brown Bears - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Special Teams Dooms IceRays in 3-1 Loss to Wildcats - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wildcats Power Play Propels them to Sixth Straight Victory - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Hawks Score Four Answered to Down Knights 5-3 - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Alex Berardinelli Commits to Colorado College - Lone Star Brahmas
- Dalton Skelly Commits to Holy Cross - Lone Star Brahmas
- Weekend Preview - Aberdeen Wings
- Bobcats Enter Season's Final Month at Austin - Bismarck Bobcats
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.
