Wildcats Return Home, Drop Two Versus St. Louis
February 16, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
A change in goal for the Wildcats wasn't quite enough as the Bandits put up three goals before the Wildcats could score. Newcomer Nick Hopper, acquired from the USHL's Omaha Lancers faced 38 shots, stopping 34 of them.
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"He played well tonight, but got hung out to dry by his defense on a couple," head coach John Bowkus said of Hopper. "That first one he had no chance on, he couldn't see it at all."
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That goal was a blast from the point by Dan Weiss on a power play with a screen in front putting the Bandits up 1-0 in the first. Clinton Bourbonais added a goal in the second, being left wide open in the slot off a pass from new Bandit Anthony Schooley for a 2-0 lead. Kyle Greco added a goal in the third for a 3-0 lead before the Wildcats finally capitalized on the power play, as Sean McKenzie spoiled Keith Kinkaid's shutout bid with a power play goal at the 15:49 mark, assisted by Adam Kuhn and Jason Nash. St. Louis would get one more at the 18:08 mark with Brendan Sheehan being left open and popping the puck into the net off a pass from Greco for the final tally in the 4-1 game.
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"I'm not dissatisfied with the effort, just the results," said Bowkus. "But you have to give the Bandits credit, they're a good team, and we'll probably face them in the first round of the playoffs. This gives us an opportunity to scout them; we'll look at some tape, and come back better tomorrow."
On Saturday night, an unlucky bounce for the Wildcats was all it took for the Bandits to get on the board, and ended up as the deciding factor in what was otherwise a fairly even game.
The Bandits got on the board in the first during a two-man advantage on the power play. What was intended to be a cross-ice pass by Justin Kirchhevel ended up bouncing off the skate of a Wildcats defenseman and into the back of the net, giving the Bandits a 1-0 lead. Assists went to Ryan Rashid and Kyle Quick.
The Wildcats tied it up with Brett Hartung on a breakaway, pounding the puck past St. Louis goalie Erick Cinotti to tie things at a goal apiece. Assisting Hartung on his goal were Ricky Brown and Curtis Heinz.
The Bandits would come back four minutes later, with Ryan Rashid getting what would prove to be the game-winner on a 2-on-1, getting a pass from Justin Kirchhevel and tapping it past Wildcats goalie Nick Hopper. The secondary assist went to Kyle Greco.
The Wildcats will go on the road for the next week, playing two in Springfield, IL against the Springfield Junior Blues. The home team has yet to win a game in the Wildcats-Junior Blues season series.
Upcoming Home Games
The Wildcats are on the road this weekend, but will come home on February 27 and 28 to take on the Alaska Avalanche. Friday the 27th is Mardi Gras Night, while Saturday the 28th is our annual Children's Miracle Network Jersey Off Our Back Auction Night. Each year, the jersey auction is a major fundraiser and a fun even for the players and fans alike. In 2008, the jersey auction raised over $80,000 for CMN!
Wildcats Alumni News
Dan Sexton tallied an assist last weekend as the Bowling Green Falcons split their two-game set with Ferris State. Sexton leads the Falcons in all scoring areas with 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points this season.
Chris Ochoa put up four goals in two games last weekend versus Mercyhurst. The junior forward leads the Connecticut Huskies in goals with 14, and is second in points with 21.
Alex Molnar scored twice for the Salem State Vikings in a split of two games against Tufts this past weekend. The Slovakia native has 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points in this his second season at Salem State.
Skylur Jameson added another two goals and two assists to his stat sheet for the Wentworth Leopards, as they picked up wins over the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and Southern New Hampshire. Jameson is third in the ECAC Northeast in scoring, and first among ECAC-NE freshmen.
Joel Sauer had three assists in Augsburg's 9-3 victory over St. Mary's on Friday. Sauer is second on the team with 25 points in 23 games.
Goaltender Tyler Brigl has been in net for 11 of the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds' victories this year. In 22 games, he is 11-10-1 with a 2.40 GAA and save percentage of .905.
Andrew Conboy made his pro debut on February 13 for the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs. He was kept off the scoreboard in the game, a 2-0 victory over the Norfolk Admirals.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2009
- First-Ever Outdoor Game Earns High Marks - NAHL
- Grogan Honored Again - Bismarck Bobcats
- Saad Earns Third Weekly Honor of 2009 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats Return Home, Drop Two Versus St. Louis - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Outlaws' Split Weekend; Remain Four Points Out - North Iowa Outlaws
- Machine sweep North Stars - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Machine win in OT thriller, 3-2 - Motor City Metal Jackets
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