Wildcats split preseason in Amarillo
Published on September 10, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats made their 2012-13 debut on the ice with a pair of preseason games out in Amarillo, picking up a 4-3 win on Thursday night, followed by a 5-2 loss on Friday.
Defenseman Marshall Tema led the charge on Thursday night, being named first star of the game with three assists in the 4-3 win.
It was just over five minutes into the game when the Wildcats got on the board, as Rudy Junda slipped a backhander past Amarillo goalie Paul Berrafato for a 1-0 lead off a Tema assist. Amarillo struck back quickly though, as Matt Sieckhaus beat Evan Cowley to tie things at a goal apiece in the opening period.
The Bulls gained their first lead of the game early in the second. During a botched line change on a penalty kill, the Bulls had a 4-on-0 breakaway and Kent Sherrer went high on Cowley for a 2-1 game. The Wildcats didn't get discouraged though, as Eliot Grauer ripped a shot that went in off the crossbar for a 2-2 game. But Amarillo's power play struck again late in the second, with Kyle Plageman making it a 3-2 game. Cowley finished the game with 30 saves on 33 Amarillo shots.
The Wildcats looked stronger in the third than in the opening two periods and added a pair of goals. Colin Staub tied the game at three-all, followed by Patrick Yudez with a near-copy of Grauer's shot, going high on Amarillo goalie Collin Delia to give the Wildcats their first lead since the opening period. The defense held up the rest of the way, with Cooper Cook shutting the door in the third period for a 4-3 victory.
A late comeback effort was too late and too small as the Wildcats dropped a 5-2 decision to Amarillo in their preseason finale on Friday night. After a relatively calm preseason opener on Thursday, Friday's game saw a combined 172 penalty minutes between the two clubs.
The Bulls struck on two powerplay goals in the opening period with James Ladouce and Ryan Cole each scoring for an early lead. The Bulls' lone even-strength goal came late in the second as Connor Frey tallied the first of his two goals while the teams skated 4-on-4.
The rough stuff, though going on throughout the game, began in earnest with only 18 seconds remaining in the second period. As Amarillo's Tyler Deresky and the Wildcats' Corey Schafer were having a rather heated discussion, the Bulls' Omar Mullan came at Schafer from behind, pummeling him to the ice, touching off a secondary altercation between the Bulls' John Rey and Blake Box of the Wildcats. Mullan, Rey, and Box were all ejected. Early in the third period, George Pagonis and Joe Grabowski were also ejected following a fight during a penalty stoppage. Despite Pagonis facing an opponent with 8 inches and 60 pounds on him, the fight was largely a draw. A third fight came midway through the period with Blake Barnes in a police action, going after Amarillo's Conor O'Neil moments after he flew into netminder Matt Leon. O'Neil was also assessed a minor for charging.
Each team put up two powerplay goals in the third. Amarillo's came first with Frey's second of the night, then Latvian Richie Marenis connected for a 5-0 game. The Wildcats finally got on the board twice late as Will Vosejpka tallied his first goal, helped out by Ben Kucera and Marshall Tema. Vosejkpa added an assist with Oliver Janzen on Patrick Yudez's second goal of the preseason, cutting the game to a three-goal deficit with two minutes to play. The Wildcats outshot the Bulls 18-14 in the final period, but couldn't add any more in the closing minutes.
WEEKEND NOTES: Six of Amarillo's eight goals came via the power play, compared to two of the Wildcats' six... Each goalie played 40 minutes for the Wildcats in the series. Matt Leon and Evan Cowley each allowed three goals while Cooper Cook let in two... The Wildcats dressed two vastly different lineups each night with only eleven skaters and one goalie playing both nights... According to their jerseys, Patrick Yudez will be wearing the captain's C on his jersey this season. The alternate A's will go to Colin Staub and Ross Luedtke.
Preview: Wildcats at Minnesota Showcase
The Wildcats kick off the 2012-13 regular season this week in Blaine, MN at the annual NAHL Minnesota Showcase. They'll face the Aberdeen Wings on Wednesday at 4:45 pm, the Janesville Jets on Thursday at 10:30 am, the Springfield Junior Blues on Friday at 1:45 pm, and the Port Huron Fighting Falcons on Saturday at 9:00 am.
Historically, the Wildcats have fared well against these teams, winning their only games against Janesville and Aberdeen, and going 22-17-5 against the Junior Blues. They have yet to face Port Huron, a new addition to the league in 2010. These three teams will be tough ones: all four were playoff teams in 2011-12, with Port Huron being the North Division representative at the Robertson Cup.
You can catch all the games via pay-per-view at FastHockey.com, with The Voice of the Wildcats, Drew Pelto, bringing you all the action!
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
We're on the air! Join us for the Wildcats' Coaches' Radio Show at our new show host, El Mejicano on Wednesdays at 7 pm. The Voice of the Wildcats, Drew Pelto, will interview the Wildcats' coaches and your favorite Wildcats' players. If you can't get to the show, tune in on the radio at 7:30 pm on 94.9, KOLI, The Outlaw. Our first show of the season will be on September 19. All in attendance wearing a Wildcats' jersey will get 20% off!
Adult hockey and open skating dates and times will be announced officially in October! We also offer birthday party packages at a Wildcats game or an open skating session. Any questions about our ice programs? Contact Sarah Scrivner in the Wildcats office.
Become a fan on Facebook! Get all our updates at http://www.facebook.com/WFWildcats
And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @WFWildcats!
Alumni Report
Coming soon: We'll have a list of the whereabouts of many former Wildcats as they continue their hockey careers at the junior, college, and professional levels in 2012-13!
North American Hockey League Stories from September 10, 2012
- Jacks Fall 6-3 in Preseason Finale - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bulls Blank North Iowa 5-0 in Final Exhibition Tune-Up - Amarillo Bulls
- Berkley's Hat Trick Lifts IceRays in Pre-Season Action - Corpus Christi IceRays
- RoadRunners Showcase Preview - Topeka Pilots
- Wildcats split preseason in Amarillo - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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