Wildcats split weekend with Fresno
January 10, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Mikhail Sentyurin's three goals helped pave the way for the Wildcats to pick up a split against the Fresno Monsters over the weekend. Friday was a 4-1 loss, and Saturday a 5-3 win.
Sentyurin scored the lone goal for the 'Cats on Friday, connecting for a first-period power play goal and a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. The Wildcats had a great opening ten minutes, but Fresno eventually caught up to them, with T.J. Powers and Walker Hyland giving the Monsters a 2-1 lead at the end of the first.
After a scoreless second period, the Monsters added a third goal, Powers' second of the night, three minutes into the third. The goal was briefly disputed, believed to have bounced off the post, but a conference between the referee and goal judge resulted in the goal being allowed. The Monsters would add an empty-netter late to cap things off at 4-1. Luis Puig stopped 27 of 28 Wichita Falls shots, while Eric Garavaglia was 25 of 28, including a perfect 15 for 15 in the second period.
The Wildcats bounced back from Friday's loss with a 5-3 victory on Saturday night. Fresno's Matthew Coleman picked up a goal midway through the first period, but Mac Olson tied things up late in the frame, tapping home a rebound off a Dakota Klecha shot. Fresno took the lead in the second off Walker Hyland's second goal of the weekend, but the Wildcats struck back four minutes later with Jason McAloon scoring his second shorthanded goal of the season to tie things at two. Another four minutes went by before Drew Allen gave the Wildcats a lead they wouldn't relinquish, beating Puig high glove side for a 3-2 lead.
The scoring kept coming in the third period, with Sentyurin scoring 1:22 into the period, then again on the power play at 3:06. Fresno's T.J. Powers scored his third of the weekend with a two-man advantage with 5:34 to go, but the Wildcats would withstand the remaining Fresno chances for the 5-3 victory.
The Wildcats hit the road next week, playing at the Texas Tornado on Friday.
WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats were without Sean Keane on Friday, who was suspended for picking up his third misconduct penalty of the season on 12/31 at Texas. The Wildcats are now 15-1-1 when allowing three goals or fewer in a game this season. Sentyurin was given an honorable mention by the NAHL in the race for Player of the Week.
Preview: 1/14 at Texas Tornado
The Wildcats will play against the Texas Tornado Friday night in Frisco at 7:30 pm. The Wildcats have lost to the Tornado twice this season, 5-4 in Wichita Falls on November 17, and 4-2 in Frisco on New Year's Eve.
Texas currently has three players averaging a point per game or more this season. Rock Einersen has 18 goals and 17 assists in 26 games, Ralfs Freibergs has averaged an assist per game through 28 games, and Jack Prince has 29 points in 29 games. Jimmy Kruger has been among the league's top goaltenders this season, winning 12 games with the Tornado, and tallying a 2.18 GAA and .922 save percentage.
Ryan Frost and Mac Olson are the Wildcats' leaders in scoring against the Tornado this year. Frost has a goal and two assists, while Olson has three assists in the two games against Texas this season.
Wade Bennett commits to Denver University!
Defenseman Wade Bennett has officially committed to Denver University for the 2011-2012 season. He will be the third Wildcat to play for the Pioneers, following defenseman Chris Nutini and forward Luke Salazar.
"It's a big honor," Wade said. "Denver is a big name school both academically and athletically, so I couldn't be happier with the direction I'm heading in."
Wade was acquired by the Wildcats in early December from the BCHL's Coquitlam Express. In eight games with the Wildcats, he has scored two goals. Denver already has one Bennett playing for them: Wade's brother Beau is a freshman forward with the Pioneers and was a 2010 first round draft pick by the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
"It's pretty cool to get to play with my brother," Wade said. "It's not often you get to do that, so it'll be great for my family to get to watch us together."
Congratulations Wade!
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show continues this week at the Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Boulevard! Come down and hear Drew and the coaches talk about this past week's games against Fresno, and see what's in store for this coming weekend against Texas. Plus you'll get to hear from one of your favorite players in the "Talk to the Team" segment. It all happens Tuesday at 7:30; if you can't be there tune in on 94.9 KOLI, The Outlaw.
Broomball, adult hockey, and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! Any questions about our ice programs Contact Brandon Miller in the Wildcats office, 940-716-5587.
Alumni Report
Dan Sexton was called back up once again by the Anaheim Ducks this week. He assisted on their lone goal Wednesday in a 4-1 loss to Nashville. He also had a hit, a blocked shot, and 2 shots on goal in wins over Columbus and San Jose.
Mississippi Surge defenseman and former Wildcats captain Nick Klaren has been out of the lineup since December 18 when he was felled by a dirty elbow by Aaron McGill. Jack Wolgemuth has picked up the slack in the mean time, tallying a goal and two assists and going +4 since Klaren's injury.
Chad Costello is currently third in the CHL in scoring, putting up 51 points in 36 games. He is on a seven-game scoring streak and has put up points in 14 of his last 15 games. His 31 assists are fifth-best in the league, while his 20 goals tie him for third.
Cal Heeter shut out Miami on Friday, stopping 40 shots in a 1-0 victory. On Saturday, he picked up another win over Miami, 5-2, stopping 23 of 25 shots.
Skylur Jameson put up two goals this week for Wentworth in a loss to Bowdoin and a tie against Plymouth State.
Kyle Gallegos picked up two goals and two assists in two game for Tufts this past week. He had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 loss to Babson, and a goal and an assist in a 7-2 loss to UMass-Boston.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2011
- U18 Team Goes Wild in Richmond: Wins International Midget Tournament - Wenatchee Wild
- Monsters Weekly: January 10, 2011 - Fresno Monsters
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Rays Report Week #7: 'stangs Coming to Town - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wildcats split weekend with Fresno - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Bulls and Topeka in First Place Showdown in Amarillo this Weekend - Amarillo Bulls
- Roadrunners Complete Three Game Sweep - Topeka Pilots
- Tornado Weekly: Texas Home for Three Games this Week - Texas Tornado
- Michael Benedict Named Fine Jewelry Outlet Player of the Month - Corpus Christi IceRays
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